Have you noticed how churches seem always to be in the process of revamping their evangelistic programs?

Who should be in charge? Do we need a specialist to come in and give a seminar? Do we need some new titles in the tract rack? Does radio still work, or should we pay the high-dollar price for TV? And what translation of the Bible should we use?

Some churches still find annual gospel meetings or revivals effective. Many others simply go through the motions of such events, knowing full well there hasn't been a case of genuine soul-winning in their church for two decades.

What I have called instances of "genuine soul-winning" are those in which someone is led to Christ who was not already a member of some family in the church. For the most part, churches seem to be baptizing only their own children - and some aren't even doing that.

"But aren't these children precious to the Lord?" someone protests. "Shouldn't we be concerned about their salvation?" Absolutely! Each of them is not only dear to God but to all of God's children. But their baptisms are instances of maintenance, not outreach. We are evangelizing only when we are reaching beyond ourselves to people who don't know Christ.

So what is the key? Maybe the story of Mamie Adams at the post office will help you understand. She always bought her stamps at the same branch. There to buy stamps one Friday, the line was particularly long. Someone pointed out to her that there was no need for her to wait in line because there was a stamp machine in the lobby. "I know," said Mamie, "but the machine won't ask me about my arthritis."

The issue for Mamie when buying stamps was not speed and efficiency. It was personal contact and some evidence of minimal human interest in her. The same thing is true in leading people to Christ.

Maybe you need more training. But you already know enough to tell someone what to do to be saved. Otherwise, how did you become a Christian? If you are not gifted to teach, you can always involve someone else to do it. But your best beginning strategy is simply telling someone of the difference Christ has made in your life - someone who knows you care for him or her and in whose life you have made a positive difference.

The key to evangelism is not techniques. It is sincere love for people who don't know Jesus. And love is not a Thursday night strategy for soul-winning. It is the fruit of God's Spirit in a redeemed heart.