In a conversation with my son Tim who is a better theologian than I am, the topic was, "what is or is NOT evangelism". This is on my mind right now. I am coming to the conclusion that the western Church by and large is a waste of time and energy. Unless the western Church starts getting things right it will decay into oblivion.
This is important because I am rethinking the ministry gift of evangelism that lies within the 5 fold of Ephesians 4. I have come to a deeper understanding of what the Apostle, Prophet, Teacher and Pastor are. I know they are in that order. I just don't know what the Evangelist does or is supposed to be doing.
That does NOT make the evangelist least in importance but there must be something to evangelize within. The Apostle and Prophet manifest the vision and order of the Church and the Teacher instructs and corrects the saints for the work of the ministry. The Pastor heals and encourages the Saints to move out.
What then is the role and the function of the evangelist? How does it work? How does one know if they are doing the work of the evangelist? What should be the benchmarks of an evangelist?
I have known many who were proclaimed by themselves and others to be evangelists. I don't know if very many of them really are or ever were .
What evangelism is NOT:
- Inviting people to a meeting, to church, small group, bible study while good things to do is not evangelism.
- Giving people a book or tract is not evangelism although many people have come to Jesus by a book or tract.
- Speaking in front of a large group of Africans as you see regularly on TV while having the net effect of creating an evangelistic environment is not evangelism.
- Having a TV program with passionate guests and a 1-800 number at the bottom of the screen to call a prayer partner while having the capacity to be a way people come to Jesus is not actually evangelism.
- Introducing people to the Pastor is not evangelism. He might help. It's just not evangelism.
In fact before I tell you what evangelism is, I submit that as I have queried several people, read books, and did research on the subject, I have come to the sad conclusion, almost no one really understands or engages overtly in real evangelism.
Oh, conversions happen. But they are scattergun. Lots of fire, smoke, noise and buckshot. 99% misses the mark. But now and then even a blind sow finds an acorn. A person is converted. Angels rejoice in heaven. Christians get excited and try to create a scattergun evangelism program. They spend lots of time and energy attempting to replicate what worked by accident once.
This is NOT evangelism. This is busy, ineffective and badly executed. Most of what we spend in money and effort in evangelism is lost.
As a caveat. I have been part of some HUGE evangelistic efforts around the nation and internationally. Worked the altar. Prayed with sinners. Took names, got cards.
Here's the truth. Out of 100 heartfelt decisions for Jesus we retained 3 after 1 year. We did the math. We did the research. What a waste. It would have been better for the 97 to have never attended this crusade. They have hardened their hearts further and will be doubly difficult to reach in the future. I won't participate in these things any more.
Most "Evangelists" would tell us that pitiful result is the church's fault, that the discipleship efforts were wrong. That the follow-up stunk. That we weren't loving enough. That we didn't assimilate them enough.
Bunk!
The reality is, they weren't ever evangelized. Oh, they prayed a sinners prayer, asked Jesus into their heart after having HELL scared out of them. They just weren't evangelized.
So, here is the question, What is the net result of evangelism? What should be the fruit of evangelism?
It's not as simple as it seems and it's not what you think. I am going to use a pretty scary source for my argument. Ready for this?
The Bible.
Whoa.
More tomorrow.
5 comments:
I think rather than evangelizing, you'll convert more by selling Watkins or Amway products rather than the tricks and miracles 101 course to which you subscribe.
I look forward to seeing how you define Evangelism.
I've had this same discussion with many people over the past 15 years and i've heard lots of answers. My favorite: "Finding Presbyterians in my neighborhood."
Pastor Chris
Evangelism Coach
2 Timothy 1
2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 3
2 Timothy 4
From A dear Seasoned Pastor Friend of Mine. Harold Hein. He has this explanation:
Gene, I couldn't respond on the blog. I don't think my response went through for "comments" about evangelism. "to evangelize" , using the Greek word, "euaggelidzo", means" to preach, to declare, to bring, to share the Good News". And an ":evangelist' is one who "shares, declares,b rings " the Good News. Paul makes it very clear as to what the Good News is in Galatians. And the Good News he declared to them is found in Acts 13:26, the message of salvation, and Paul summarizes the content and purpose for those hearers of the good News in 13:38-39. This Gospel, Evangel, is only the declaration of the doing and dying of God's Son, Jesus the Christ, for the sins of Jews and Gentiles, the world. Nothing is to be added to this Gospel, nothing is to be subtracted from this Gospel. The eangelist is not to 'twist arms" or promise earthly benefits to those who hear the Gospel. He simply follows Jesus' direction to declare t he Gospel and let the Holy Spirit do the work of turning the hearts to the Christ as Savior. Look at ch. 13 of Acts and you see that not all the hearers of the Gospel responded in faith. The evangelist does not worry about what kind of numbers there will be after he declares the Gospel. That is not his calling.
The evangelist is not to make any promise through the Good News other than what God has promised...that believing in the Christ as Savior and Lord they have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Paul was an evangelist because he preached the Good News, and he knew that he could not and would not add anything more to it than the doing and dying of Chirist...HIS life for man, becasuse man could not live the life God wants him to; and the sacrificial vicarious death of Christ bearing and paying for the sin of the world. When some people (false preachers) in Galatia wanted to add just a 'little bit" to the Good News, Paul spoke very strongly against them, suggesting that they be eternally condemned ! (Gal.1). The Gospel, truly proclaimed (without attachments) will find some fruit...who knows how much? only God really. Jesus simply told us to go and preach the Gospel to every creature, baptizing, and teaching. The Church is made up o f true believers (the wheat) and the tares. The "tares" don't really believe the true Gospel. God knows who they are, and judgment day will reveal it. ..I await your 'tomorrow' blog.
Gene,
Telling other the Gospel -- that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day from the dead -- is completely sufficient and just grounds for God to forgive any and every sinner, and that all who put their entire confidence in the Person and work of Christ rec eive God's forgiveness, is the heart of evangelization.
For an excellent read on the subjects, I highly recommend Chafer's works: "Salvation: God's marvelous work of Grace" (see chap 5) and "True Evangelism". I think you will find a complete and satisfactory answer here.
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