(who don't want to go there)
by Ben E. Helmer
The word, Evangelism, comes from the Greek word that refers to
proclaiming (the) Good News.
What most people know is that it
has become a by-word for folks who are insistent on making others see God and
Jesus the way they do, and it is often associated with slick preaching and door
knocking.
Actually, being an evangelist
is something we all promise in our Baptismal vows when we agree to
“proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ” (Book of Common
Prayer, p. 305).
Most evangelism takes place
in the work place or in families.
Did you know that research has shown that every Christian knows at least 7
people who are unchurched? That means that we are all placed in a context
with others who do not know much about God or Jesus. As someone once
said, “You might be the best Christian someone knows”.
Active evangelism is really
about one thing – relationships.
Anyone skilled in sales will tell you that relationships are the key to
salesmanship. People go back to buy from others who they perceive care
about them. Jesus worked through relationships. He got to know
people and then introduced them to God.
So, evangelism is really a
one-on-one kind of work. You pray about the person(s) with whom you
are in relationship and ask God to help you find a way to invite them, bring
them, encourage them to come to the place where they can meet Jesus. That
is usually the Church. Then you make sure they receive a welcome from
others, that their needs are paramount (“May I sit with you this morning?”) and
that they feel comfortable.
Churches that grow usually
have two characteristics:
(1) Members know what their gifts for ministry are in the world and (2) members
know the needs of their neighbors and are working to address them. It’s
really quite simple. Only the devil makes evangelism complicated so we
won’t be tempted to engage in it!
Most people invite someone to
church only once in their life. Why not decide to double that
statistic? If everyone did we wouldn’t wonder where all the people have
gone – we would know they are in Church rejoicing in the power of the risen
Lord in their lives.
-- Ben Helmer is a Missioner for Congregational Development at the Episcopal Church Center.