evangelism(13/1)
Evangelism is making disciples
In our attempts to define evangelism, sometimes we can make it so narrow that it’s no longer connected with the holistic mission of the Church. Overnarrowing has affected both evangelists and “regulars”. Evangelists have decided that their sole focus is to scatter seeds of the gospel far-and-wide but leave discipleship to whatever church community an interested person happens to walk into. Much of their work is misspent because they don’t get close enough to their hearers to understand their pain or misconceptions.…
Look everywhere for the spiritually open
When we think of evangelism, it’s often stuck in some particular venue or approach. While our sense to get out and look is spot-on, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to a single place in our search to find the peaceful people. When jesus modeled taking the gospel to the people, he didn’t limit the message to any venue. He was ready to tell people about himself in the streets and on trial, alongside a well and in the synagogue.…
Jesus modeled taking the gospel to the people
Paul’s methodology was to proclaim Christ in the synagogue, home, workshop, city square, hall, and even when publicly on trial. Jesus had primarily preached, too, but about himself. Jesus modeled taking the gospel to the people, rather than expecting them to come to him. Schabel points out that Jesus says that gospel proclamation must take place in palaces (Luke 7:25), marketplaces (Luke 7:32; 11:43), roads and streets (Luke 10:10; 13:26; 14:21), law courts and prisons (Luke 12:57-59; 18:2), and city gates (Luke 13:24).…
We give more than we have
Strict adherence to the adage that we can give others only what we have - a Biblical concept (see Matthew 12:35) - has overpowered two equal realities. First, our treasure is external to us. His words and presence are not limited by the vessel’s spiritual vitality. We are not batteries that must be charged in order to emit light. Though spiritual practices are essential to all disciples, mission is not contingent or subsequent to our personal growth.…
Evangelism models
Healing Prayer Many people’s first introduction to Jesus was news about the people who were healed by him. The leper who approaches Jesus saying that, if he is willing, Jesus can make him clean is a classic example (Mark 1:40-44). When I see a person in distress because of an illness, I remember that Jesus heals and wonder if he might heal this person. But uncertainty usually takes hold of me.…
Evangelism is a team sport
Evangelism isn’t done by yourself. Jesus sent folks out by pairs. It’s not enough to say we’re doing it together just because the entire congregation has a commitment to evangelism; we actually need to do evangelism together. a strong team will mitigate nearly every disaster that can befall a planter train your team for your absence by taking them everywhere discipleship done biblically is always in community
Evangelism is not a winners game
Some Christian circles say the goal of evangelism is to “win” people to Jesus. There are two concepts floating below this word. First, the evangelism usage of “win” refers to persuasion. It’s related to the adjective “winsome,” which describes a person who excels at convincing others. In this way, “win” is a sales term. You might hear the term used in the same way in your local sales department who are “winning” customers/contracts.…
Find the peaceful people
There’s a subtle mantra that underlies sharing Jesus. It goes something like, “If you love someone, you won’t stop trying until they trust in Jesus.” Joy in Jesus is a gift worth sharing, and you’re love for others will produce sadness when they disregard the chance to share your joy. But more often this mantra bears guilt that you haven’t done enough. Enough sharing the gospel; “Do they understand my message?…
Lone converts are a liability
The mission to share with individuals reflects our cultural value for autonomy, but this is a weakness. To be introduced to Jesus, even to be swayed enough to give some allegiance to Him, then to leave the individual to figure out the rest is wrong. Better evangelists follow up with interested folks and may meet with them or take them to a church, but they tend to see their work as complete once the person professes faith in Jesus.…
Allegiance to Jesus is communal
Christians, even those in a highly individualistic culture, recognize the communal nature of our allegiance to Jesus when we advocate for church attendance. When we don’t see a friend in church for a month, we become concerned for their faith. We understand that intentionally meeting together strengthens our allegiance and the loss of community weakens us. But individualistic cultures like the United States underrepresent how crucial community is to our allegiance to Jesus.…
Becoming a christian is a process
Gospel-tract evangelism is a typical example of a single-event approach to sharing one’s faith. Get the basics of the message out, maybe ask for a response, and you’re done. Case closed. But is that how you changed your mind about Jesus? Or was it a process of engagement with one or more Christians, the Bible, maybe direct prayer with God, before you took any concrete action that might qualify as a conversion?…
Aversions to the word 'Evangelism'
There is a range of aversions to the word “evangelism,” and it’s not only among Christians. Some hear the term and remember an embarrassing moment. Perhaps they had been pressured into telling a stranger about Jesus and were ridiculed. Or they’d observed another Christian awkwardly share their faith in public and hoped no one asked what they thought. Others equate evangelism with military crusades, forced conversions, and abusive persuasion tactics. The term is abhorrent and relegated to a pre-Enlightement mindset.…
What is the Gospel?
It’s common American practice to reduce complex concepts into byte-sized marketing messages. Many Christians think of a verse or two written by Paul when they hear the word “gospel.” A few hear gospel hallelujahs. Even fewer think of the first four books in the New Testament. The word “gospel” translates the Greek word εὐαγγελίου. Transliterate the Greek and you get the English word “evangel”; the root of “evangelist” and “evangelism”. Literally the word translates “good news.…
When are they converted?
Certain theological systems define conversion at a single point in an individual’s life when they were saved. Identifying this moment is a crucial piece of a person’s testimony. The moment is marked by inward experience in some traditions, or an outward ritual in others. Depending on the system, the authenticity of this moment can be brought into question if the converted’s life exhibits little or temporary change. In these cases, the conversion moment is nullified and must actually happen in order to truly be saved.…