The Effective Invitation: A Practical Guide

(Revised and expanded; 2nd edition) A step-by-step guide for pastors to prepare and present invitations to accept Christ. "There is no preacher on the earth but will be blessed by these pages." -W. A. Criswell

Introduction

13

(4)

Preface

17

(170)

1 Tell Me, What Is the Gospel?

21

(16)

Words of Proclamation:

Preaching

Pro-claim

Preacher

Words of Evangelism:

Gospel

Evangelize

Evangelist

2 The Theological Content of the Invitation

37

(18)

Repentance:

The New Testament Call to Repentance

Origin of Repentance

Relation of Repentance to Faith

Faith:

Origin of Faith

Examination of Hebrews 11:1

3 The Public Invitation-Is It Biblical?

55

(26)

The Call to Sinners:

Gift of Exhortation

Use of the Word 'Come'

Counting Converts

Fishing for Souls

Sowing and Reaping

The Call to New Converts:

A Call to be Baptized

Why Baptize Today?

4 Evangelists and Invitations

81

(28)

From Constantine to the Eighteenth Century:

Major Pre-Reformation Evangelists

The Anabaptists

The Puritans

The Eighteenth Century:

America's Great Awakening

Wesley and the Methodists

The Nineteenth Century

The Twentieth Century

5 Billy Graham's Use of the Public Invitation

109

(22)

Graham Begins Using the Public Invitation

The Evolution of the Graham Invitational Style

How a Billy Graham Invitation Works:

Preparing Hearts

The Transition

Answering the Query

Call for Public Commitment

Why Are Billy Graham's Invitations So Effective?

A Divine Calling

A Divine Message

A Divine Arsenal

A Divine Enablement

6 Answering the Critics

131

(8)

7 Extending a Public Invitation-The Reasons Why

139

(12)

Scriptural Reasons

Historical Reasons

Practical Reasons

Logical Reasons

Psychological Reasons

Consequential Reasons: Effects Upon Christian Observers/Effects Upon Pastors and Evangelists

8 How to Prepare and Deliver a Public Invitation

151

(18)

How You Can Prepare an Effective Invitation:

Prayer

The Transition

Theological Instructions

Proper Use of Persuasion

Using a Motivational Theme

Call to Public Commitment

How You Can Deliver an Effective Invitation:

Voice Quality

Other Characteristics

9 Invitational Models

169

(18)

Delayed-Response Invitation:

The After Meeting

Special Appointments

Signing of Cards

Special Classes

Delayed Altar Call

Dangers

Immediate-Response Invitation:

The Altar Call

Raising of Hands and Standing at the Seat

Act of Public Confession

Progressive Invitation

Baptism

The Private Decision

Dangers

Importance of Counseling:

Ministry of Personal Workers

The Inquiry Room

10 Music and the Invitation

187

(20)

How Music Has Been Used to Win Souls

Functions of Music in Evangelistic Preaching

11 Inviting Children to Christ

207

(12)

The Gospel Appeal to Children

How to Present the Message to Children:

Call to Repentance and Faith

Extending the Invitation

Appendix: Selected Invitational Hymns

219

(2)

Notes

221

(16)

Bibliography

237

(10)

Index

247

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The Effective Invitation: A Practical Guide For The Pastor

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials