02. Plant: Literature, Media, and Personal Invitations
Plant Seeds of Truth
After preparing the soil with friendship and service, the next phase of the disciple-making process is to invite people to consider spiritual truth. This can be accomplished by sharing literature or media, by offering Bible studies, or by inviting people to church services and events. The more spiritual seeds we PLANT, the more interested people we will find—and the greater our harvest will be. Therefore, distributing a HIGH VOLUME of spiritual seeds is essential for the growth of the church.
ESTABLISH LITERATURE, MEDIA, AND INVITATION MINISTRIES:
- Elect a publishing ministries coordinator or personal ministries assistant to oversee literature, media, and invitation distribution ministries (Church Manual, p. 102, 107).
- Budget annually for literature, media, and invitations to Bible studies and church events (cost of invitation cards, flyers, social media ad campaigns, mailings, etc.).
- Create a prominent display of free literature, along with cards or flyers offering Bible studies, for members to distribute.
- Plan arge-scale personal distribution efforts (door-to-door, city sidewalks, etc.) and advertising campaigns as able (mail, social media, online, etc.).
- Provide leadership support—prayer, promotion, financial support, and participation.
“He who sows sparingly, and who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
"And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!'” (Revelation 22:17).
“The truth is to be scattered by all who claim to be disciples of Christ” (Christian Service, p. 68).
“Unvarnished truth must be spoken, in leaflets and pamphlets, and these must be scattered like the leaves of autumn.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 231).
“Everyone who has heard the invitation is to echo the message from hill and valley, saying, 'Come'” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 110).