Pastor, how to evaluate 2017

By Ted Traylor

Looking back can be helpful. We dare not live in the past, but to evaluate it can be advantageous.

Here are seven questions to ask regarding evangelism in your church in 2017:

1. Pastor, were you a leader in evangelism this year, and did you consistently share the gospel with lost people?

2. Did your church do any evangelism training in 2017?

3. How many outreach events did your church plan and execute in 2017?

4. Baptismal numbers do not tell the whole story, but were they more or less than last year? What is your ratio of members to baptisms?

5. Did the pulpit ministry in your church have a clear and consistent proclamation of the gospel calling for repentance?

6. Did the special events you planned have a specific time and way for evangelism?

7. Ask the Lord to evaluate your evangelism. Did you receive a “well done”?

May God make 2018 the greatest year you have ever known in reaching others for Christ!


Published January 7, 2018

Ted Traylor

Since 1990 Dr. Ted Traylor is the pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. His weekly radio and television ministry, At the Heart of Things, reaches thousands of homes along the Gulf Coast and through weekly podcasts and streaming. Dr. Traylor’s bold and practical preaching brings people to a fresh understanding of God’s Word and challenges them to become bondservants for Christ. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Samford University in 1997 and a Master of Divinity (1981) and Doctor of Ministry (1986) degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to serving as First Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000 and President of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1995, Dr. Traylor was President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s 2004 Pastors’ Conference, 2010 Pensacola Bay Baptist Association moderator, and was part of the 2010 Great Commission Resurgence Task force team. Currently Dr. Traylor is proud to serve on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes board for the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!).