Organic Outreach for Ordinary People by Kevin Harney

BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Michelle Kelley

I need to make a confession–I am not someone who is traditionally big into outreach efforts. I absolutely see the necessity; I just haven’t always felt like it would be my thing. Most of my life has been spent, joyfully, around and with other believers. Truth be told, I have often felt ill-equipped to share my faith. What if someone asks a question I’m not prepared for? What if I say something wrong and increase the distance between them and the Lord? What if it’s just plain awkward? I wish I had read Organic Outreach for Ordinary People much sooner.

Kevin Harney starts the book with a story about a woman who tells another woman to smell her hair, and then goes on to passionately “evangelize” about her new hair care product (a familiar picture to this curly-haired reader). He mentions how often he hears excitement in people’s voices as they talk about new restaurants and home gadgets. And, how often, there is more excitement in those conversations than in conversations about Jesus.

Kevin very graciously and beautifully speaks first to the heart of the reader. He doesn’t seek to lay on guilt but to help the ordinary believer crack open his or her eyes to the reality of Scripture’s call. God has equipped and specifically placed every Christian, not just our wonderful pastors, to speak into the lives of those around them. Our pastors, likely, don’t know your neighbors. They don’t know the moms on your kid’s soccer team. They don’t have the friendships or unbelieving family members you do. The truth is, we are all called to be witnesses to God’s work in our lives. If that sounds scary, please, read this book. It is filled with examples that made me realize I could have similar conversations and I bet you can, too.

Harney points out that outreach is simply being genuinely yourself—living and speaking like a Christian, whether in the presence of believers or non-believers. It’s the willingness to tell your co-workers you went to church on Sunday and were encouraged. The boldness to take a chance and ask your waitress if she has any requests you can pray for before you eat your meal. The humility to ask a neighbor if he minds whether you share for a minute about how Jesus has been working in your life.

Outreach is not a onesize-fits-all process. Instead, he writes, “Every person is unique, so each journey will be different. Remember, outreach is an adventure, not a formula. It takes flexibility, creativity, and an adventurous heart.” He lays down some general practices he has seen work, such as increasing our love for our neighbor, prayer, creativity and sharing naturally in conversation.

One thing I appreciated is that he writes very practically. Though he is not new to sharing his faith, his examples seem attainable. At the end of each chapter, there are a couple ideas of how to put into practice what he has just shared, as well as reflection questions and a prayer. I found these very thought provoking. They would also lend themselves well to a book study for a small group.

The chapter on prayer especially hit home for me. As we enter spiritual territory, he reminds, we can expect spiritual warfare. But prayer is powerful, and our God is active. He writes three specific ideas in a section titled “Warfare Prayers,” the first being, “Ask God for discernment to see where the enemy is at work.” These words were a breath of fresh air to my prayers that God would open the eyes of those whom I love who don’t know Jesus.

This book didn’t give me the answers to the many questions of my non-believing friends. But it did remind me that God’s spirit is alive in me, and it fought the lie that tells me he can’t, or doesn’t want to, use me. He does. And he wants to use you, too. God has, without doubt, been working in my feeble attempts to be genuine about my faith, and his Spirit has graciously answered my cries of prayer. I am excited how the Holy Spirit is moving. “Outreach is an adventure,” and I hope it’s one you’ll join me for. And, I suggest you pack a copy of this book for the road ahead.