Let’s say I wish to bring positive change in evangelism to my ministry context.
The context in this (fictional) case is comprised of folks in their 20s and 30s at my church, of which there are about a hundred active.
My first impulse is to ask Pastor to preach a series on the topic of evangelism. This will help get the hundred motivated through the power of God’s word.
Second impulse is to invite the hundred to read a book on personal evangelism.
Third impulse is to hold a Friday-evening-all-day-Saturday training workshop where we watch videos of a national speaker teach about evangelism.
Fourth impulse is to ask the hundred to hit the streets of their neighborhoods the following Saturday morning to knock on doors.
Fifth impulse is to hold an evangelistic concert (with food) at church to which everyone can invite their nonChristian friends.
* * * * *
Now it seems to me these five impulses are unlikely to bring much positive change in evangelism, unfortunately.
I’ll share why in my next post.
Breathlessly awaiting the next installment!
Yes, Laurel. I hope for an epiphany before next week.
I love paradigm shifts
I’ve had some painful ones — learning through failure!
I have a good idea why these five impulses are duds (having tried this sequence before myself at a church of 700). The church members lack fire. Far too many Christians are complacent because their experience of Jesus is tepid. The change in their lives may have been long ago or never that strong in the first place or any number of reasons. But, when a person has grown up without Jesus or the Holy Spirit in the fallen world of sin and evil, that individual knows from experience what the meaning of “lost” is in the deepest sense — despair, fear, anger, bewilderment, injustice . . . . .
Look up Ps 40:2-3 ” He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path, and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God. Now many will hear of the glorious things he did for me, and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in him.” My own new song? “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me” . . . .
Yes, John, the reality of a profoundly changed life and/or a long-term devotion to Jesus tends to overflow into evangelism. And I’d also say that evangelism can be contagious. Hence my thought to start small and strong, keep prayer central, celebrate the wins. Other people will want to join this group.