I anticipate every fall season as the fullest harvest time of the year for reaching souls. The fall is when our church has our annual Open House Sunday, and it is also when we have our annual time of training for new soulwinners. All in all, it’s a fruitfully busy time of ministry—if we are prepared for it.

We can’t predict how great the harvest will be come fall, but we can be ready to receive what God gives. We don’t want to leave ready fruit in the field.

Below are three ways to prepare for a fruitful fall season of ministry:

1. Seek the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

There is no strategy, method, or action plan that can make up for a lack of the Holy Spirit’s power. Before we even begin to think of programs or ideas to reach people with the Gospel, we must follow the most basic instruction to fully yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” Ephesians 5:18

2. Become a Person of Discipline

Effectiveness has very little to do with talent and very much to do with personal discipline. Effectiveness is a habit of routines.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15–16

Servants of the Lord who maintain purposed, disciplined routines—including thrifty use of their time—are the Christians who have long-term ministries of fruitfulness. On the other hand, Christians who demand little of themselves stunt their own growth—personally and in ministry.

3. Write Your Personal Action Plan for Fall Ministry

This step should be the outflow of the two steps above. Similar to wisely-crafted New Year’s goals, this plan is your statement of intention for fall ministry, and it will be the basis for your time management. It should include your priorities and regular commitments as well as your personal goals for fall outreach.

Each fall, I set a goal for how many doors I want to knock, and I also ask the Holy Spirit to allow me to see a number of families saved, baptized, and enrolled in discipleship. As a pastor, I also have goals for our church of involving more members in soulwinning and helping each member of our church family to grow in personal fruitfulness.

Without an action plan, you become a prisoner of events. But with an action plan, your events have purpose.

In John 15:8 Jesus told us His purpose for our lives and how we can best glorify the Father: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” May we each have a passion this fall to, in the power of the Holy Spirit, bear fruit for Christ!

This article was originally posted on the Pastor’s Perspective.