Outreach does not come natural for most people in our society. There are some people who are “social butterflies” and will talk with anyone, anywhere, about anything. Most individuals have a more introverted personality or have been culturally trained to keep to themselves. So when church leaders mention the opportunity to “share the Gospel,” there is a large segment of the audience who begins to sweat. Let me assure you, however, that with the right understanding of what outreach is and the link to spiritual gifts, a believer in Christ need not fear the “E” word.
Outreach is the same as evangelism, which is based on the fact that there is good news to be shared. Yet, I like the word outreach because it conveys two important concepts. First, it implies an action that is necessary on my part. There are some place I have to go and something that I have to do. It is not enough just to “be” a Christian, but I have a calling to take the message of Christ through word and deed to the world. The second reason I like the word outreach is the implication that my reach is ever expanding. I cannot become content on what has been accomplished in the past. Outreach seems to indicate forward movement into unexplored territory.
Why is definition important here? There are many misconceptions in the church about outreach. One such misunderstanding is a leaning toward the “social gospel.” These are genuine good works without any mention of the purpose for which the deeds are done. For example, someone may help a stranger who needs a drink of water without ever mentioning the well of “living water” found in Christ. If merely meeting social needs is the goal, then other humanitarian relief organizations do a much better job than the Church in reaching. However, the other end of the spectrum is also out of balance. A Christian can meet someone with a physical need, ignore the request, and simply give the person a Gospel tract or a brief but rehearsed statement about the Gospel. Heartless rhetoric about the Gospel was not the example that Jesus left!
Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson address the error of these approaches in their book, The Externally-Focused Church. “One of the most effective ways to reach people with the message of Jesus Christ today is through real and relevant acts of service. Honest, compassionate service can restore credibility to the crucial message we have to share. To tell the Truth, we must show the Truth.” 
For church leaders, we seem to seek a formal strategy for outreach. This is good when the strategy is more than a program, but embraces and supports the mission of the Church. One such teaching that I have found helpful is found in a short book called S.L.A.S.H by Ken and Paula Hemphill. Their procedure is simple and biblically accurate. The acronym stands for “Show People Love and Share Him.” The strategy for sharing the Gospel with this approach is simple: display an action that shows someone you care and ask them a question (one that causes curiosity and leads to the message of Christ). 
What is one thing you can do in the next 24 hours to reach out to someone with the Gospel, showing love and compassion for someone who has yet to trust Christ for salvation?
Shepherding Well 