The dreaded "e-word"
I'm flying out tomorrow to our denomination's headquarters to give input about "evangelism". The denomination has been doing a 2-day seminar in its churches on evangelism for the past decade plus called "The School of Evangelism". They want input to re-design it for today.
My first response is I hate the word "school" and the word "evangelism". Neither one brings warm and fuzzy feelings to my life. I spent 20 years of my life in school--I've had enough of school for 2 lifetimes. And "evangelism"--I know it's a Biblical mandate (and I'm all for sharing the Good News with those far from God) but when I think of it I think PROGRAM or I think ASSIGNMENT. It's going through a canned outline, reasoning with people, and trying to get them to step across the line of faith. To do it well, I have to do a good sales job.
The problem with 99% of the evangelism programs I've seen in churches is they treat people as projects. I think the new paradigm for evangelism in churches will be radically different. I'll let you know how our meetings go.
For now, your thoughts on evangelism (and how we do it in today's world) are very welcome.
My first response is I hate the word "school" and the word "evangelism". Neither one brings warm and fuzzy feelings to my life. I spent 20 years of my life in school--I've had enough of school for 2 lifetimes. And "evangelism"--I know it's a Biblical mandate (and I'm all for sharing the Good News with those far from God) but when I think of it I think PROGRAM or I think ASSIGNMENT. It's going through a canned outline, reasoning with people, and trying to get them to step across the line of faith. To do it well, I have to do a good sales job.
The problem with 99% of the evangelism programs I've seen in churches is they treat people as projects. I think the new paradigm for evangelism in churches will be radically different. I'll let you know how our meetings go.
For now, your thoughts on evangelism (and how we do it in today's world) are very welcome.
posted by Pastor Phil Print at 9:38 AM
6 Comments:
I'm big on relational evangelism. Living as ambassadors Christ attracts people to Christ.
Big Chris
yeah big chris, i think it's more about being an evangelist rather than doing evangelism. being 'ready to give an answer regarding the the hope that lies within'!
not sure, but i doubt not nearly as much as the one known as 'warrior'!
warrior- ok, sorry for that, it was uncalled for. my experience with people who ask such questions have been from people who seem to think much of themselves & little of others.
let me try to honestly answer your honest question.
in the last year i have led a bible study & preached a salvation message to numerous inmates. i don't know how many got saved. i suspect a couple. however, i'm in the process of leading everyone i know to christ. this of course takes being a 'fisher of men'. it's not a one time evangelism crusade. that's what at least i was talking about when referring to 'being an evangelist' vs doing evengelism. there of course is a ministry of evangelism outside of everyone's responsibility to 'do the work of an evangelist'.
how's that?
One of the things I'm struggling with is what exactly evangelism
is. Is it sharing Good News and getting a person to step across the line of faith (receive Jesus as their Savior and Leader) or is it the "planting of the seeds" as well...loving people, showing them Christ-like love? You really can't answer Warrior's question until you define the term. I like this definition (from the meeting I was just in that prompted this blog): evangelism is cooperating with the Holy Spirit and others to bring a person one step closer to Christ.
Warrior/brother -
Because of your last statement/question, I will now respect what you have to say!
Can you respect anything from me?
If so, do you care to jump into the thread going on under the 'tolerance & diversity' heading?
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