Priority #1: Sowing the Gospel
Why did you get into ministry? Wasn’t it to see souls saved?
Most pastors would say yes. But too often, the reality of ministry looks different. Sermon preparation gets crowded out by endless emails. Evangelism takes a backseat to long and unnecessary meetings. Before you know it, the thing that matters most, proclaiming the gospel, becomes just another item on a never-ending to-do list.
There are no shortcuts. If you want to see people saved, you must make gospel proclamation your top priority. No one drifts into evangelism. It has to be intentional.
So how do you keep the gospel front and centre? Here is how:
1. Do Not Assume People Know the Gospel
I once met a man who had attended churches many times before. During an evangelistic course, he heard for the first time that he was a sinner in need of Jesus. He was stunned and asked, “Why did no one tell me this?”
Why indeed. Perhaps his previous churches denied the gospel. Perhaps they were too embarrassed to share it with an unbeliever. Perhaps they just assumed he knew it already.
Whatever the reason, make sure you don’t make the same mistake.
It is shocking how many people sit in churches for years without ever truly hearing the gospel. Do not make the mistake of assuming that just because people attend services, they understand their need for salvation. The gospel must be proclaimed clearly, regularly, and without hesitation.
At its heart, the gospel is simple. Every person is a sinner, separated from God and deserving of judgement. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world, lived a perfect life, died on the cross to bear our sins, and rose again in victory. Those who repent and trust in him will be saved.
Never let someone walk away from your ministry without hearing this truth.
2. If the Gospel Doesn’t Move You, It Won’t Move Anyone Else
If your heart is not stirred by the gospel, your preaching will not stir others. If you are not excited about Jesus, how can you expect an unbeliever to be excited?
Over time, it is easy to become numb to the message of salvation. The gospel can become something you talk about rather than something that grips your soul. But cold preaching produces cold hearts. If you want people to respond to the gospel, you must first be moved by it yourself.
Whatever it takes to rekindle your love for Christ, do it. Spend time meditating on Scripture. Read books that stir your affections for Jesus. Sing songs of worship, not just in church but in your own time. Preach the gospel to yourself daily. Pray that God would keep your heart tender.
You cannot ignite a fire in others if you have let your own grow dim. Keep your heart hot for the gospel.
3. Get Out of the Christian Bubble
You cannot reach the lost if you never spend time with them. Many pastors fall into the trap of thinking evangelism is something they must do on their own time. But that’s a recipe for evangelism being pushed aside.
Jesus was known as a friend of sinners. He didn’t keep his distance from the lost but actively sought them out. If you want to proclaim the gospel effectively, you need to do the same. Spend time with non-Christians in a natural, organic way.
This doesn’t always mean sacrificing your “free time.” There are plenty of opportunities to meet unbelievers through your regular church life. Visit a member who has a non-Christian relative. Schedule a coffee with someone who has shown interest in the gospel. Attend the mums and tots group, or join in on a social event your church hosts.
While it’s good to supplement your efforts with activities outside church life, make sure evangelism is woven into the very fabric of church life. This is one of the reasons you were set apart for gospel ministry, not called to secular work.
4. Stop Delegating Evangelism – Lead from the Front
Evangelism isn’t something you can simply delegate. As a pastor, you must lead from the front. One way to do this is to run evangelistic courses yourself and stay on the frontline of mission.
Why should you lead the charge? For one, it keeps you sharp. You stay aware of the questions non-Christians are asking, and that will shape how you preach and engage with your church. When you’re actively involved in evangelism, you’re constantly reminded of the urgency and the truth of the message you’re sharing.
Secondly, leading evangelistic efforts helps build real relationships. When non-Christians attend your course or events, they’re not just seeing your church—they’re getting to know you. That connection is invaluable when they later step into the church for a service. Theyr
Delegating evangelism can create distance between you and the lost people your church is trying to reach. Lead from the front, and you’ll inspire your congregation to do the same.
5. Recognise That Going to Hell Is the Biggest Pastoral Need
Many pastoral needs demand your attention, but nothing is more urgent than the eternal destiny of lost souls. Too often, pastoral care becomes consumed by temporary concerns like people struggling with relationships, finances, or personal issues. While these are important, they are not the ultimate need.
If you encounter a non-Christian who is willing to study the Scriptures, drop what you are doing and make it a priority. These conversations are life and death. A person on the path to hell needs urgent care, far beyond any immediate earthly concern.
This does not mean neglecting your congregation or the pastoral care of your church members, but we must not lose sight of the fact that the greatest need is salvation. If we err, let us err on the side of evangelism, reaching out to the lost with everything we’ve got.
The ultimate pastoral need is not just for people to feel better today, but to be saved for eternity. And that should always remain at the heart of our ministry.
6. Sunday Is Your Best Evangelistic Event. Use It
Somehow, we’ve separated evangelism from preaching, but why? Sunday services are still the most effective opportunity to reach non-Christians. At my church, we've found non-Christians walking through our doors every week, repeatedly. If they’re not there yet, preach as if they are there, and they soon will be.
Why? Because Christians often think, “I wish my non-Christian friend could hear this.” They might start to wonder about inviting the friend next time.
Preaching with an evangelistic heart is also an act of faith. You’re saying to God, “If there’s someone in our village, or someone nearby, that you're working on, preparing to visit church, send them here. We are ready for them.” This is the posture that opens doors for the gospel to reach beyond the believers in your congregation.
Even if your church isn't regularly filled with non-Christians on Sundays, preach with the expectation that God will bring them. Don’t wait for special events or programmes to reach people. L
Let every sermon be an opportunity for the gospel to be shared, for lives to be changed.
Make your Sundays count. Preach the gospel with urgency, and trust that God will use your faithful proclamation to bring people to Himself.
7. Preach the Gospel Every Time You Open the Word
The gospel is not just an entry point into the Christian life; it is the heart of it. Every sermon should point people back to the truth of Christ’s death and resurrection, whether you’re preaching from the Old Testament or the New.
It’s easy to get caught up in the details of doctrine, church life, or ethics, and forget to bring the gospel to the forefront. But no matter what passage you’re preaching from, always aim to bring people back to the cross. It’s not enough to simply teach the Bible—people need to know how the Scripture connects to their need for Jesus.
One way to do this is by walking through the gospels themselves. Each year, I make sure to preach through a portion of a gospel account, whether it’s John, Matthew, or Luke. This gives people a front-row seat to the life of Jesus, His teachings, His miracles, His suffering, and ultimately His resurrection. It’s a constant reminder that the gospel is not just a message we believe in once; it is the foundation of everything we do.
Preach the gospel, even when you're addressing believers. We all need to be reminded of the incredible grace we’ve received and the hope we have in Christ. Each time you open the Word, point to Jesus and His work on the cross. It’s the power of God for salvation.
8. If You Don’t Plan to Proclaim the Gospel, You Won’t
Evangelism will never happen by accident. If you do not make it a priority, it will be squeezed out by everything else. The day-to-day demands of ministry, church life, and pastoral care will take over, leaving little time for the very thing that matters most—proclaiming the gospel.
That’s why you must schedule it. It is not enough to simply hope that gospel opportunities will arise. You need to intentionally carve out time to proclaim Christ, whether it's through one-on-one conversations, evangelistic courses, or outreach events. Ask yourself each week, Where will I proclaim the gospel this week?
If it’s not in your timetable, it won’t happen. Plan for it, make space for it, and watch how God uses your intentionality to reach the lost.
We often prioritise things that we plan for. The same should be true for evangelism. Make it a non-negotiable part of your week, and trust that God will provide the opportunities as you remain faithful to proclaim the good news of Jesus.
Conclusion: Keep the Gospel at the Centre
Proclaiming the gospel is not just a task to tick off your to-do list; it’s the heartbeat of ministry. If you want to see lives transformed and souls saved, you must prioritise evangelism above all else. As pastors, we have the incredible privilege and responsibility of being heralds of the good news.
Whether it’s in the pulpit, in one-on-one conversations, or through the everyday rhythms of church life, let the gospel be at the centre of everything you do. Proclaim it clearly, passionately, and consistently.
Next time, we’ll explore Priority 2: Prayer. While the gospel is our message, prayer is our power. How we seek God in prayer shapes the way we proclaim His word and the effectiveness of our ministry. Stay tuned!
