an outreach strategy developed by some pastors and directors of christian outreach in the twin...

An outreach strategy developed by some Pastors and Directors of Christian Outreach in the Twin Cities

NET Fishing

by Philip M. Bickel

Partners and Supporters

• The NET Fishing Design Team: Phil Bickel, Heidi Breitbarth, Keith Brutlag, Gene Bunkowske, Phil Johnson

• Lutheran Hour Ministries

• The Oswald Hoffmann School of Christian Outreach

• You? Your small group? Your church?

What isNET Fishing?

Because believers accomplish God’s mission more effectively when they work together, NET Fishing links believers and their God-given strengths and passions into a Network of Evangelistic Teams.

NET Fishing occurs on 3 levels:1. Individuals organize into teams.2. Teams network together.3. Churches unite their strengths.

Jesus said: “I will make you fishers of people.”

• How many fish can be caught with a pole?

• How many fish can be caught with a net?

Typical Fishing Tackle

• Prayer for the Spirit to work

• Friendship building

• Verbal witnessing

• Answering the questionsdoubters ask

• Teaching the Bible to seekers

Prayer,Witnessing &Evangelism

Apologetics & Bible Studiesfor Seekers

• Print & media aimed at people’s needs

• Promotion and advertising

• Artists and musicians

• Concerts, events, speakers, & worship

• “Walking Wounded,” survivors who help others with similar difficulties

• Human care & community development

The WalkingWounded &Human Care

Ministries

Media, Music,Arts, Events& Worship

More Fishing Tackle

• Discipleship training

• Cell groups

• Membership instruction

ChurchMultiplication& Leadership

Training

Discipleship,Cell Groups &Membership

Even More Gear

• Church planting(your culture & others)

• Leader development

2Apologetics & Bible Studiesfor Seekers

6Church

Multiplication& Leadership

Training

4Media, Music,Arts, Events& Worship

1Prayer,

Witnessing &Evangelism

3The WalkingWounded &Human Care

Ministries

5Discipleship,

Cell Groups &Membership

Increasemember-

ship

Churches Churches withoutwithout a NET a NET

• Evangelismoccurs more by accident than plan.

• Ministries lack communication & teamwork.

• Expect lost people to come to us.

• Reach out to maintain the institution.

The catch is so smallwhen we fail to work together

Tired of fishing alone?• Do you want to network with those

who share an outreach vision?• Would you enjoy linking strengths

with other believers?

If we weave together our:• Passions and Interests• Abilities and Spiritual Gifts• Resources and Strengths

We get a NET— a Network of Evangelistic Teams.

2Apologetics & Bible Studiesfor Seekers

6Church

Multiplication& Leadership

Training

4Media, Music,Arts, Events& Worship

1Prayer,

Witnessing &Evangelism

3The WalkingWounded &Human Care

Ministries

5Discipleship,

Cell Groups &Membership

ProclaimLaw &Gospel

NNetwork of etwork of EEvanvanggelistic elistic TTeamseams

• Evangelismis central.

• All ministries are linked.

• We meet people where they hurt.

• People contactus at their own pace.

2Apologetics & Bible Studiesfor Seekers

6Church

Multiplication& Leadership

Training

4Media, Music,Arts, Events& Worship

1Prayer,

Witnessing &Evangelism

3The WalkingWounded &Human Care

Ministries

5Discipleship,

Cell Groups &Membership

ProclaimLaw &Gospel

A A ScenarioScenario of how the NET works of how the NET works1.1.Tom, depressed, Tom, depressed,

finds our website.finds our website.2.2.He attends an He attends an

event.event.

5.5.People witness People witness to Tom & pray.to Tom & pray.

6.6.He explores He explores the Bible.the Bible.

3.3.Tom joins a Tom joins a support group.support group.

4.4.Walking wounded Walking wounded help him.help him.

7.7.People answer People answer Tom’s questions.Tom’s questions.

8.8.The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit leads him to faith.leads him to faith.

• A ministry launched in Dec. 2007A ministry launched in Dec. 2007• Puts NET Fishing into actionPuts NET Fishing into action

Door2Hope’s Initial Topic:Depression and Hope

Depression, grief, anger, anxiety, etc.Depression, grief, anger, anxiety, etc.

door2hope.orgdoor2hope.org

1. Basic info about depression

2. Links to helpful ministries and support groups

3. Stories from believers who struggle with depression

4. Booklets on depression and related topics

5. Videos, songs, poems, paintings, and other arts

6. Jokes, anecdotes, and other causes for laughter

7. Scripture texts and prayers on depression and hope

8. Bible studies and articles addressing people’s questions about God

Door2Hope EventsDoor2Hope Events+ Depression Resources Open House+ Depression Resources Open House + Nutrition Seminar for Depression+ Nutrition Seminar for Depression

+ Celebration of Hope Concert+ Celebration of Hope Concert

+ Music Therapy+ Music Therapy• Events include diverse elements:

food, music, exercise, Scriptures, sub-topics of depression, etc.

• Designed for people struggling with depression, grief, fear, anger, or loneliness.

The Key Role of the The Key Role of the Average BelieverAverage Believer

1. Pray for Door2Hope to touch people who need Christ’s love.

2. Use Door2Hope to care for and witness to your friends.

3. Learn about Door2Hope’s website, resources, and events.

4. Tell depressed friends about door2hope.org.

5. Invite friends to Door2Hope events.

6. Continue to care for and share Christ’s love with your friends.

7. Encourage other Christians touse Door2Hope.

Results ofNET Fishing

1. Volunteers find their personal roles to play.

2. Many parish ministry areas get involved.

3. The unchurched respond.

4. Your church connects with your community.

NET FishingPrinciples

1. You made the team. God chose you to be a gifted & valuable team player.

2. Don’t bench yourself. Define witnessing by what you can do.

3. Evangelism is a team sport. Encourage & guide people to form evangelism teams.

4. Nets work. Encourage and guide teams to work together.

5. Evangelism is central. All church activities should be doorways to Christ.

6. Address felt needs. Meet folks where they hurt or are questioning.

7. People are the best media. Mass media is useful, but can’t do it all.

8. Adjust the fragrance level. Smell like Jesus, but to varied degrees (2 Cor. 2:14-16).

ProclaimLaw &Gospel

More NET FishingPrinciples

Needed: An Army of Volunteers

• Pray-ers, survivors of life problems

• Writers, graphic artists, media experts

• Researchers, counselors, theologians

• Witnesses, care givers, group leaders

• Director, supervisors, grant writers

• Data processors, volunteer coordinators

God will weave the NET, placing each one of us in our key position for the benefit of lost and hurting people.

Door2Hope Topics1. At present, Depression and Hope. 2. Maturity and Aging.3. Music, Arts, and Creativity (aka ArtReach).4. Love and Marriage.5. Children and Parenting.6. Addictions & Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors.7. Work, Vocation, and Purpose.8. Managing Money and Your Life.9. Friendship and Community.10. Physical Health.11. Ethics and Daily Choices.12. Prayer, Spirituality, and God.

NET Fishing isStone-SoupEvangelism

1. Each church shares what it has. 2. We help each other succeed.3. We touch people’s hearts with Christ’s love.4. Not-yet Christians hear the Good News.5. We build rapport in our community.6. Converts add new insights and strength.

2Apologetics & Bible Studiesfor Seekers

6Church

Multiplication& Leadership

Training

4Media, Music,Arts, Events& Worship

1Prayer,

Witnessing &Evangelism

3The WalkingWounded &Human Care

Ministries

5Discipleship,

Cell Groups &Membership

ProclaimLaw &Gospel

NNetwork of etwork of EEvanvanggelistic elistic TTeamseams• Every ministry

is a door for evangelism.

• People in many places work together as one.

• Every believer plays a role based on his or her strengths.

• We ignite a local outreach movement.

Principlesof Wider

NET Fishing

1. Christ’s Body is much larger than my local church.

2. Stone soup evangelism. We all share freely.

3. The church is flat – connected by electronic media.

4. No silos. No turf wars. We help everyone succeed.

5. Ongoing presence. Build rapport year after year.

6. Mission teams for multiple topics and targets.

7. The resources are in the harvest. Converts add new insights and strength.

8. The NET already exists. We just have to harness it.

More Principles of Wider NET Fishing

Unlimited Topics• What next?

Maturity & Aging.• What topic do you want?• Will you help us do it?

Someday the home page of Someday the home page of door2hope.org will have door2hope.org will have multiple doors and topics—multiple doors and topics—like a scene from the film like a scene from the film Monsters, Inc.Monsters, Inc.

Imagine UnlimitedTarget Audiences

Together we can design a “Door2Hope” for:Together we can design a “Door2Hope” for:

+ Artists+ Artists + Teens + Teens

+ Muslims+ Muslims + Apartment dwellers + Apartment dwellers

+ Latinos+ Latinos + Action comic book fans + Action comic book fans

What target audiences do you long reach?

1. Assess your strengths and resources.2. Add local ministries and community

resources.3. Focus on topics or audiences that

match your local strengths. 4. Use the resources at door2hope.org as

though they were yours.

Ways toParticipate Locally

5. Plan and carry out your own events, support groups, classes, etc.

6. Carry out local advertising. More PR at door2hope.org.

7. Oversee follow-up & assimilation of converts.8. Every year evaluate and make improvements.

More Ways toParticipate Locally

1. Contribute your story or resources.

2. Offer an expert or artist. Win-Win.

3. Serve on a topical team.

4. Serve on a target audience team.

Ways toParticipate

Widely

2Apologetics & Bible Studiesfor Seekers

6Church

Multiplication& Leadership

Training

4Media, Music,Arts, Events& Worship

1Prayer,

Witnessing &Evangelism

3The WalkingWounded &Human Care

Ministries

5Discipleship,

Cell Groups &Membership

ProclaimLaw &Gospel

Imagine a NET as biImagine a NET as bigg as… as…• Your circuitYour circuit • Your city Your city

or regionor region

• NationalNational • InternationalInternational

Needed: An Army of Volunteers

• Pray-ers, survivors of life problems

• Writers, graphic artists, media experts

• Researchers, counselors, theologians

• Witnesses, care givers, group leaders

• Director, supervisors, grant writers

• Data processors, volunteer coordinators

God will weave the NET, placing each one of us in our key position for the benefit of lost and hurting people.

Discover YourPlace in the NET

1.What is God calling me to do?

2.What are my spiritual gifts, abilities, and skills?

3.What human need do I long to address with the love of Christ? What is my passion?

4.Who could I invite to fish with me?

NET Fishing is stone soup evangelism, each sharing what one hasfor the common good.

DiscussionDiscussion

1. Identify. What are the strengths and passions of our church and its people?

2.Connect. How could they be linked to similar believers who are at a distance?

3.Synergize. What local needs could be met by linking with people elsewhere?

4.Confess. What will the Spirit need to do to overcome our independence?

DiscussionDiscussionand Plansand Plans

5.Dream. What would we be willing to attempt, as part of a broad-scale NET?

6.Strategize. What specific steps will we take in the next 2 months?

7.Test-drive. What can we pilot in the next six months?

To Participate, Contact Us

• Email: partners@door2hope.org

• St. Michael’s Lutheran Church 9201 Normandale Blvd. Bloomington, MN 55437 USA

• 952-831-5276

2Apologetics & Bible Studiesfor Seekers

6Church

Multiplication& Leadership

Training

4Media, Music,Arts, Events& Worship

1Prayer,

Witnessing &Evangelism

3The WalkingWounded &Human Care

Ministries

5Discipleship,

Cell Groups &Membership

ProclaimLaw &Gospel

NNetwork of etwork of EEvanvanggelistic elistic TTeamseams• Every ministry

is a door for evangelism.

• People in many places work together as one.

• Every believer plays a role based on his or her strengths.

• We ignite a national outreach movement.

““I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do what I have been doing. He will do me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am even greater things than these, because I am

going to the Father.” John 14:12going to the Father.” John 14:12