Of course, a lot depends on the type of church, the neighborhood and the people involved. But assuming a healthy congregation, a middle-class neighborhood and people, this is how I would organize and work a plan.

I would start by inviting every member of the congregation to participate in discussions about the neighborhood and the future of the congregation. I would gather demographics to show things such as the number of unchurched people in the neighborhood, because people deserve to know what their congregation would look like in 20 years if there is no growth.

Then I would ask the people to decide if they are going to accept the biblical mandate to "go into all the world baptizing and teaching ..."

I wouldn't proceed unless there was genuine enthusiasm. If they don't care if their congregation grows, if they are happy living in stagnation, no amount of coaxing by the pastor will change their minds.

That doesn't mean the pastor could stop evangelizing. That's what the people pay clergy to do all week. So pastors should get out of their offices and start meeting people and talking about Jesus.

Let's assume the people accept their biblical responsibility. The next step would be to formulate a plan. The people must be involved in this all-important venture but the pastor must be the leader.

The first thing would be to find some money. It wouldn't cost a lot, but you would need some to get started.

I then would have a small committee of seven to 12 people consider the possibilities: Should the congregation throw a big bash such as an outdoor ice cream social with a Dixieland band? Should the congregation advertise by direct mail or in newspapers? Would contemporary worship be acceptable to members of the congregation?

If I were the pastor, I would push for the big bash because it would jump-start the plan. And you would be surprised how many people would come to your campus, especially if the ice cream is less expensive and better than you can buy in the grocery store. This kind of effort also would unite people.

The real work would begin after the big kickoff bash. Volunteers would have to be organized into two-person teams to go door to door inviting people to worship or to another big bash inside the church. I'd have brochures about the church and hand one to every person who comes to the door.

While this was going on, I'd get some advertising going. Advertise the big bash coming up, either by direct mail or in a newspaper.

The second necessity would be to spruce up the worship service. Everything must be done in a quality way, including the sermon. If you decide to use contemporary worship, you should make sure you have an excellent band. Move the liturgy along in a sprightly manner.

Then comes the most crucial part of the plan. When people visit the first time, you should be sure to greet them warmly before and after worship and pull them to the fellowship area for a cup of coffee and introductions.

After that, the pastor should follow up with a phone call, and within a couple of days someone should stop by the visitor's home with a plate of cookies or a store-bought pie.

Now all you would have to do is keep that scenario going. It's not that difficult. Given a little time, the evangelization effort would become a comfortable routine.

Of course, all of this is necessary because for 30 years only conservative churches did any evangelization. The liberal churches sat like toads and expected the people to come to church on their own. But these days people won't come to church on their own. They will wait for an invitation, and if they don't get one, they simply don't go.

So it's time to get the lay people mobilized. It's the only way your congregation is going to survive.

Clark D. Morphew