My week began with the news that John Bisagno,
Bro. John was one of the first men in ministry that I admired. I had a chance to speak to him a time or two through the years but I had no relationship with him whatsoever. I was drawn to him because like me he was a good-sized man. Jerry Vines ran miles every day and his physique showed it. O.S. Hawkins looked like a movie star with fancy suites and perfect hair. Dr. John Bisagno, however, I could identify with. I soon learned that few pastors in the 1970’s and 80’s could match his success. First Houston added over 22,000 members during his tenure, baptizing over 15,000 people.
In a day when much conversation is taking place about women in our convention, Bro. John was a champion of women serving the Lord through ministry. Dr. Bisagno was also a pioneer in worship and praise teams. I have several books by John Bisagno such as, Power of Positive Praying, Power of Positive Preaching to the Lost, Principle Preaching. However, Power of Positive Evangelism is my favorite Bisagno book.
The Power of Positive Evangelism is written for the purpose of helping conduct revivals. I recommend every pastor, who gives a public invitation, to buy the book turn to chapter two and read about the invitation. I won’t reproduce the chapter but some of his instructions about giving an invitation I have attempted to follow are:
1. Be Specific – never assume the audience knows what you want them to do.
2. Give it urgently – Jesus always called for action today. Bisagno says never speak of tomorrow in your invitation.
3. Get into the invitation – A sharp break between the sermon and the invitation can destroy all that has led up to that moment. How many pastors have you heard stand at the front following a powerful sermon and say, “What’s our hymn today?” Never use a song for an invitation that people are not familiar with. Through the years I have settled on a few invitation songs and that is all we use. Right now, we use “Give Me Jesus” exclusively as our invitation song. I end the sermon by introducing “Give Me Jesus” and attempt to flow from the sermon to the invitation seamlessly.
4. Give the invitation prayerfully – the invitation certainly is prayed over before the service begins but the minister should continue to talk to God during the invitation.
There are several other suggestions Dr. Bisagno gives in this chapter. I encourage you to get the book and take in all his advice on giving an invitation. When I read the chapter, I knew that I had failed to plan for the invitation, all of my focus in preparation was on the sermon. I regret I pastored a few years before finding Bro. John’s invitation advice.
Let me end by saying one thing that stinks about growing old is the people you admired in your youth all begin to pass away. Dr. John’s works will have to follow him to glory because I and countless others will follow this sage’s advice.
Outstanding article Dean. I loved John, and he was a great man for God.
Just before he retired John Bisagno made a tour of our SBC seminaries and spoke in their chapel services. If I remember correctly, this happened in 2003. I was blessed to hear him in the chapel at Southern Seminary in Louisville. He preached on finishing well, and that message was a great inspiration to me. Our readers can find it on the SBTS website. He was a great pastor, preacher, and mentor–“honor to whom honor is due.”
He invited me to his Pastoral suite after i sense God’s call to preach and was transitioning from music to the pastorate. One of the high points for me was the 30 minutes we spent together. He was my hero in the faith.
Mike, I know that meant a lot to you as you were transitioning. I believe Bro John was a musician as well but I’m not sure what instruments he played.
I always respected Bisagno though I didn’t know him as well as most of you.
Tremendous preacher, innovative and courageous.
I’ve never heard of him. However, my interest in reading one or two of his books is now piqued. Thanks for sharing, Dean.
Not much on my radar all these years but I do recall Bisagno preaching at an evangelism conference in SC on sin. Good subject. The point I recall distinctly was that the time elapsed between you and your sin doesn’t diminish the sin nor achieve forgiveness. His words were more elegant than mine. When all these decades old sex abuse stories began popping up in our circles, I was reminded of that point by Bisagno.
A few books by John Bisagno: The Power of Positive Praying The Power of Positive Preaching to the Lost The Power of Positive Preaching to the Saved The Power of Positive Evangelism The Power of Positive Giving Power of Positive Living Pastor’s Handbook; Letters to Timothy Love is Something you Do Principle Preaching Wisdom for Life God Is How to Build an Evangelistic Church Inside Information The Word of the Lord Life Without Compromise Til Millions Know Positive Obedience And Then Shall the End Come Successful Church Fund Raising Charismatic Theology Under the Spotlight Strange Doctrine Great Mysteries of the… Read more »
During a service at Ridgecrest back in the 80’s he borrowed my pen to write some additions to his notes for the sermon he was about to preach. I felt blessed by that brief encounter with one of God’s choice servants.