An introductory template for soul-winning and discipling as part of The Salvation Army USA West Territories Harvest Initiative.

1. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you.”
Ma$hew 28:18-­‐‑20
Go = A$ract = Seeker
Make = Disciple = Salvationist
SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
HARVEST INITIATIVE USA WEST

2. Style may a$ract people to a church, but it won’t keep
them in. The church needs something substantial;
Fortunately we have it!
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
Go = A$ract = Seeker
Make = Disciple = Salvationist
Style and Substance are both part of The Salvation Army’s DNA. This presentation
represents a collaborative effort to frame these two essentials in a 21st Century con-­‐‑
text. Recognizing the demands and complexities of officership in this present age, its
simple purpose is to refocus and give increased intentionality to these two critical
components of Salvationism: Soul-­‐‑winning and Disciple-­‐‑making—this presentation
dedicated to that end.
Lord bless and anoint this refocus for the present age!

3. SOUL-WINNING
“Go straight for souls, and go for the worst. We must wake ourselves up!
Or somebody else will take our place, and bear our cross,
and thereby rob us of our crown.”
~William Booth~
Today structured programming appears to drive soul-­‐‑winning. For many,
soul-­‐‑winning has become a program rather than a lifestyle. One aim of this
God-­‐‑inspired initiative is to refocus on soul-­‐‑winning as a lifestyle. “Just Walk
Across the Room,” and “Becoming a Contagious Christian,” seem to be the
“soul-­‐‑winning” evangelism flavors of the day, driven by the success and
popularity of Willow Creek. Following is how they describe it:
“We do not take people out into the community to show them how to witness.
This is certainly a valid form of Evangelizing, but ‘Just Walk Across the Room
Video Curriculum’ goes back to the heart… developing the heart for the lost so
the passion and desire to share is fueled in a way that takes into consideration
the person to which you are sharing your faith.”
This final paragraph speaks to the “lifestyle” part, therefore this or something
similar should be considered as integral and core to every corps evangelistic
outreach ministry. And MODELED at every level.
AS A LIFESTYLE
REFOCUS 1

4. SOUL-WINNING
“You have one business on Earth – to save souls”
~John Wesley~
Willow Creek goes on to say…
“‘Becoming a Contagious Christian’ offers more practical and detailed training
in how to share your faith. We are offering ‘Just Walk Across the Room Video
Curriculum’ and then ‘Becoming a Contagious Christian’ right after that. We
have found that this is a good progression since developing the heart must
come before the work.”
First developing the heart (passion), then the work—(practical) and detailed
training in how to share your faith. Again, this or something similar should be
considered as integral and core to every corps evangelistic outreach ministry.
And MODELED at every level.
It is recognized that this curriculum (or something similar) is presented at the
National Seminar on Evangelism. To be pervasively effective, it MUST go
much deeper, EVERY Salvationist given an opportunity, the emphasis ongoing
24/7, not just once a year for a selected few.
AS A LIFESTYLE
REFOCUS 1

5. SOUL-WINNING
“Evangelism Explosion training transformed my life and ministry”
~Major Tom Petersen ~
Another possible resource combining soul-­‐‑winning and disciple-­‐‑making.
Here’s Evangelism Explosion’s approach:
“Does the thought of "ʺdoing"ʺ evangelism make you uneasy? Is outreach
primarily the responsibility of paid staff at your church? Let this Bible-­‐‑
based method of friendship evangelism and discipleship equip and
encourage your entire church to accept Christ'ʹs Great Commission!
Participants will learn how to naturally share the gospel.”
The thought of "ʺdoing"ʺ evangelism made Tom Petersen feel uneasy. He was
CSM at the Santa Ana Corps when invited to a$end a training seminar.
Here’s the result in his own words:
“Evangelism Explosion training improved my commitment to Christ. It
became a priority for me to share my faith. I gained the ability to present
the Gospel and train others to witness as well. This led me into full time
ministry.”
Soul-­‐‑winning became a lifestyle for many in that corps.
AS A LIFESTYLE
REFOCUS 1

6. SEEKER POOLS
“God loves with a great love the man whose heart is bursting
with a passion for the impossible."ʺ
~William Booth~
In the various focus groups, the identification of seeker pools and bridging
options varied greatly, depending upon ones giftedness and passions. For
example, if it was music, focusing in on those passion pools seemed to be most
productive. Likewise, sports, computers, seniors, children, camp, LOM, CCM,
social services, hobbies (golf, photography, kni$ing, etc.)—Identify yours here.
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
Seeker pools and bridging (discipling) options leading to membership, while
separate entities also sometimes blend together. For example, music and sports
programs may represent seeker pools, whereby involvement in those
programs can lead to a decision for Christ. They may also be the bridging
program that holds them as they progress from seeker to Salvationist. For the
purposes of this presentation, the two, seeker pools/bridging options, will be
addressed together.
AS A PASSION
REFOCUS 2
BRIDGING OPTIONSAS A CHOICE

7. SEEKER POOLS
“If I thought I could win one more soul to the Lord by walking on my head
and playing the tambourine with my toes, I'ʹd learn how!"ʺ
~William Booth~
Over the years, seeker pools/bridging programs have proliferated, statistically,
this being a normal and natural occurrence with the passing of time, many of
them no longer contemporary. There are also cultural changes i.e. the street
corner once-­‐‑upon-­‐‑a-­‐‑time being a major seeker pool and brass banding a
cultural bridging option.
With this proliferation, institutional expectations multiply, statistically,
causing frustrations to mount (the feeling of being spread too thin), sometimes
negatively affecting performance and creative focus. Therefore, the following
seeker pool/bridging idea was presented to caucus groups with positive
reception and feedback, suggesting a refocus—creating optional “passion”
lines and categories on the statistical form.
Note: The following refocus recommendation was previously initiated in one
division with excellent results.
AS A PASSION
REFOCUS 2
BRIDGING OPTIONSAS A CHOICE
REFOCUS

8. SEEKER POOLS
“Your days at the most cannot be very long, so use them to the best of your ability
for the glory of God and the benefit of your generation.”
~William Booth~
Recommended for prayerful consideration territory wide:
At every corps review, in consultation with the corps officers, select from the long
statistical form, those specific lines (pools, bridging options) that the corps we'ʹll be
held accountable for, thereby narrowing and customizing expectations.
First, agree upon and clarify the nonnegotiable lines i.e. Sunday School/
worship services (not necessarily on Sunday), soul winning and soldier
making, etc. Second, negotiate the additional pool/bridging lines that will best
compliment the officer/local officer’s passion/gifts (the number will vary with
the size of the corps, number of locals, etc.).
These are the mutually agreed upon lines for which all will be held
accountable. Sign an informal accountability le$er of agreement to be
monitored quarterly. C.O.’s, in preparation for the review, to go through same
exercise with staff and Local Officers as well. Keep personal biases out of the
equation.
AS A PASSION
REFOCUS 2
BRIDGING OPTIONSAS A CHOICE
REFOCUS

9. CAMPER POOLS
“I am for the world'ʹs salvation, I will quarrel with no means that promises help..”
~William Booth~
In the Creative Caucus focus groups, the significance of camping as a primary and
productive seeker pool became immediately apparent, worthy of a priority refocus
territory wide. For this reason, we offer it as a paramount recommendation (an
extension of the “Camp to Corps Harvest Initiative”). Included with the residential are
day camps and VBS because they are so intricately entwined together conceptually and
programatically. And they represent fertile ground for reaching the ENTIRE family.
Consider the size and magnitude of these pools. 8-­‐‑10 thousand residential campers
annually (guesstimate). Multiply this by day camp and VBS a$endance (263 corps/
outposts, 307 institutions), including extended family members. Goal: In every corps a
day camp/VBS, many institutions as well—VBS in day care centers, etc. Because of its
magnitude and potential, a separate presentation has been prepared:
h5p://www.slideshare.net/SeekerSally/seeker-­‐‑to-­‐‑salvationist-­‐‑camp-­‐‑refocus
In this presentation you will find an all-­‐‑inclusive template covering the full gamut
from…
SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
“Therefore go and make disciples…”
AS A PRIORTY
REFOCUS 3
PRIORITY

10. Ma$hew 28:18-­‐‑20
Go = A$ract = Seeker
Make = Disciple = Salvationist
SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
HARVEST INITIATIVE USA WEST
Lord bless and anoint this refocus for the present age!