January 2025
Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, Executive Director
AME Department of Church Growth & Development
IS MY CHURCH DRIFTING? PART 2
When do churches begin to drift?
3. Churches drift when they move away from soul-winning.
L. R. Scarborough, a Southern Baptist, once said, “It is found that so long as the heart of an institution burns hot with the fires of soul-winning, it is not likely to drift in its theology.”
When a church drifts from its foundational soul-winning mission, it often loses its spiritual vitality and focuses on Christ’s great commission. Soul-winning, rooted in the call to share the gospel and disciple others, is central to the church’s purpose. Without this focus, churches risk becoming inwardly focused, preoccupied with traditions, programs, or superficial growth, while neglecting the eternal needs of the lost.
Proverbs 11:30 states, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the wise capture souls.” This verse underscores the wisdom and eternal value of leading others to Christ. When churches neglect this divine mandate, they may inadvertently drift into complacency, prioritizing comfort or cultural trends over the gospel’s transformative power.
Such a drift often results in spiritual stagnation, as a church detached from soul-winning loses the heartbeat of Christ’s ministry. Jesus Himself said in Luke 19:10, *”For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”* If the church deviates from this mission, it departs from its Christ-centered calling, diminishing its effectiveness as a light to the world.
To remain steadfast, churches must continually emphasize evangelism, disciple-making, and a commitment to reaching the lost, ensuring their alignment with God’s ultimate purpose for His people.
Churches must maintain a strong focus on soul-winning to fulfill their mission of sharing the Gospel and making disciples. To avoid drifting away from this central purpose, churches can implement a comprehensive strategy based on biblical principles, intentional planning, and active engagement.
Churches can remain aligned with their purpose by consistently prioritizing soul-winning through teaching, equipping, and practical engagement. A vibrant culture of evangelism requires intentional leadership, active participation, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. This focus prevents mission drift and ensures the church remains effective in advancing the Kingdom of God.
