Outreach / Witness

What is the difference?

i think witnessing is being something just as we are a new creation. outreach is the fruit of this; works that are the fruit of the Spirit that dwells in us - Jesus sent the diciples out two by two but He said first that He will make them fishermen of men.

Amen

I think outreach is finding a way to introduce CHRIST to the world in a way that they may get to know HIM and come to understand HIS love for them.
And witnessing is expressing that unconditional love to your brethren and to the world on behalf of CHRIST.

Guys, I suspect if we do a little research including scriptures our answers will be even more powerful. The Internet is handy...use it!

It s a dicey approach to base all your position on "I think or I feel"

Let's be moved by more than feelings, because some of us our feelings cannot be trusted!

I agree. It will bring more understanding....Let's get on and see how far we can go.

We will do more reading of the bible.

Outreach is the opportunity to reach out to the lost. Direct evangelism is a type of outreach that involves church members in telling others about Jesus Christ...1 Pet 3:15-16
Outreach is verbally sharing the gospel, reaching out beyond the congregation and to serve those in need.....the message being Jesus Christ dying for sinners, rising again and He lives today.

Witnessing
Acts 1:1-8
A witness:
1. Is someone who has information
2. Is someone who gives information....that Christ died for the world
3. Someone who testifies emphatically
4. Someone who sees something
5. Someone who brings to light
6. Someone who confirms something

Signs
1. A witness is not silent....you have to say what you experienced (your salvation)
2. Is not afraid....at times they give them witness protection
3. Is not ashamed...Rom 1:16.....it's a shame to be ashamed
4. Is not lazy
5. Is sacrificial....it involves time, money, yourself etc. there is nothing like no sacrifice...2Cor 10:20....it's either you sacrifice for God or other things
6. Must be interested.....not passive, pay attention to it
7. Be emotionally involved.....show passion

May we be true witnesses of Christ.
What do you think???

Powerful Pippa.

Fen, I think you are right generally, so I will add a little.

I am sure that as a church we have used the term 'outreach' rather loosely and as a result, like many other churches and Christian groups have confused the terms outreach and witnessing. One reason for this is the use in English of the word evangelism and outreach synonymously.

Evangelism and Witnessing
The Greek root of the word evangelism is evangel. It is derived from the Greek word euangelion which is translated good news. From that same word, we derive the word gospel. Evangelism fulfills Jesus' command to take the Good News to all the world. Evangelism is therefore the propagation of the gospel and consequently includes preaching the word to the 'lost'. Evangelism is about both the act of spreading the gospel and the content or message of the act itself - the message of salvation.

When a person engages in evangelism, then by standard English definition as illustrated below, he has become a witness:

a. One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced.
b. One who furnishes evidence.
c. One who is called on to testify.
d. One who attest to what takes place.
e. One who signs one's name to a document for the purpose of attesting to its authenticity.
f. An attestation to a fact, statement, or event; testimony.
g. One who publicly affirms religious faith.

This is what Jesus meant when he said:
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Outreach
Unlike evangel, the term outreach I believe is not found in the Bible, though the idea certainly is. In Outreach, the emphasis is rather on the action more than the message. The term is correct in definition and use whether in the context of a church or a business. It is an act of reaching out, bringing an organization’s services or products out into the community. So, when a church engages in outreach, it is reaching out to the community in order to meet needs or to let people know of its existence.

From the foregoing, Outreach is an advertising campaign. That explains why in LCI Southend, when we go on outreach, we are focused on giving out as many flyers out as possible. The unsuccessful Car Wash Outreach programme would have been another good example.

The Salvation Army is an excellent example. When tragedy strikes, especially in the case of natural disasters, the Salvation Army is often on the scene, providing food, clothing and other necessities. Many local church have some excellent and exciting outreach programs. The Healing Jesus medical outreach, the LCI hospital and orphanages are all outreach projects that build a bridge between the community and the church.

Outreach is an act of love by the church and allows people to make a connection with the church, a connection we hope will eventually draw them into our fellowship. We should see this as a selfless act and an act of grace as we give people something for nothing. We are giving people an opportunity to see Christians in action and to learn about our church. Unbelievers are given a glimpse of the love of Christ through believers. Believers take their love for the lost into the community and allow them to see changed hearts in action. There is usually nothing offensive about outreach, and it is often regarded as noble, even by those who are opposed to Christ.

Outreach and Witnessing
Outreach by the church has an agenda. The objective is that, people drawn to us or to the church through our deliberate outreach activity, will also be deliberately witnessed to in the giving of the good news of the gospel. The apostle Paul said:
1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

In outreach therefore, witnessing can be a very compatible activity. While we wash cars, we can witness to their owners. As we share flyers, we can witness to somebody. We can provide a service or meet a need in an organised or informal or even personal outreach, succeed in drawing a person into a place of readiness of heart, and witness to such a one. By technical definition, themed church services, themed breakfast meetings and even house parties are all, types of outreach programmes with evangelistic content. Successful evangelistic crusades have advance teams who prepare the way and the people in various ways before the crusade arrives in town.

Outreach and evangelism or witnessing, as we can see are very distinct activities. When we evangelize, we tell man that he is a sinner and will go to hell, except he receives Jesus. We share the message of salvation in all its offense, for in the offense of the Gospel there is power! When we remove the offense, we remove the power.
1 Corinthians 1:21
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

But we dare not be offensive in outreach, or we shall turn the heart of man away from us and from the church.

Outreach and witnessing are both intended by the bible, and both are very noble. Outreach however is not a command, only evangelism or witnessing is.

YET WITHOUT OUTREACH, EVANGELISTIC ACTIVITY WOULD FIND IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SUCCEEED.

Wow, what an insight! This is powerful. Thank you.

A powerful enlightenment indeed. thank you.

Fen Bushu! It's 2:20am. All good girls are asleep by now!

it is not easy, but it will try.