Engage. Equip. Encourage.

According to research conducted by The Barna Group, fewer than 1 out of 3 Christians (28%) around the world are “fully participating” in Biblical discipleship, meaning that they are both being discipled by another believer and actively discipling a different believer. Meanwhile, around 40% of Christians have no involvement whatsoever in disciple-making relationships. Furthermore, it is estimated that only about 15% of adults in our community are actively involved in a local church.

What if this is true? What if the vast majority of our neighbors really aren’t showing up to our churches, and those who are showing up aren’t making disciples who make disciples? How does Impact Sarasota spend our time and resources to see this reality changed in our local community? It’s simple, really: we engage the lost, we equip the found, and we encourage our community partners.

ENGAGE.

Jesus set an example by intentionally showing up with people who would not- and in some instances could not- show up in the local synagogues. We follow this example by engaging non-believers and giving them space to ask their big questions and to express their doubts and disbeliefs. We share our lives and the Gospel (1 Thess. 2:8) with them and and we “earn the right” to invite them to consider Jesus and what he’s done for them. And we continue showing up, regardless of their response.

We do this through intentional 1-on-1 relationships, small groups built around Apologetics and honest dialogue, and through our large group “Community Conversations,” where we invite our friends to a free dinner and an open forum discussion on their questions and intellectual objections to Christianity.

EQUIP.

At Impact Sarasota, we believe strongly in making disciples, and we work to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry, building up the body.” (Eph. 4:12) We want to see followers of Jesus confident in their calling and their Spirit-driven ability to share their faith with the people in the places where they live, work, and play.

We accomplish this through personal investment in Christ followers in 1-on-1 settings and through our “Continuing Conversations” series, where we take time to walk with small groups through elements of Spiritual Formation, Apologetics Training and Education, Practical Theology, and a deep dive into “incarnational evangelism and disciple-making.”

ENCOURAGE.

Hebrews 10:24 instructs followers of Jesus to “consider how to encourage one another toward love and good works.” In the BIG picture, there is no individual, and there are no churches or ministries or community service groups who are intended to do their work alone. The work of serving others was always intended to be done in community.

At Impact Sarasota, we encourage our community partners by getting involved, volunteering our time (and helping raise up others who believe in their respective missions and who will volunteer their time and resources), and we help care for their staff and volunteers. For local businesses, we offer “Company Conversations,” a 3- or 4-week lunch and learn series dedicated to creating engaging conversations about practical theology and Spiritual Formation.