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This resource, called “Structures” is in the form of a 7-day mini seminar presented by “Everyday Evangelism”. Please subscribe to my E-zine for more Outreach tips. The links to the other days follow the article. Thank you so much for dropping by.
Let me say this clearly from the start. The work of the Evangelist is meaningless without the church. The whole aim of evangelism is to bring people to Jesus. While the Evangelist may well have pivotal roles to play in developing Christian growth (besides training others in evangelism), I believe the main role still centres on bringing people to Christ. To re-focus on Christian development may well distract from what God has called the Evangelist to do.
Of course there are always exceptions. My situation is one such example. I am a Prison Chaplain in full time ministry here in Sydney, Australia. While I certainly view evangelism as my primary gift, teaching and pastoral care must also rise to the fore so the Church in Silverwater can grow and flourish in faith in Christ. While certainly adequate for the task as a Prison Chaplain, my actual formal Bible qualifications are lower than most others. I have a Diploma of Evangelism (very practically based) while many other Chaplains have Bachelors in Theology (very academic based) and beyond. I really have no desire to formally gain more academic qualifications, but I do have a passion to read the Bible and implement God’s plan for me more and more in my life. I want the same for the blokes I minister to. So, what I do instead is enroll appropriate Blokes in distance learning from good Bible colleges supervised by well qualified Lecturers. I want all the men under my care to have the opportunity to reach their highest possible academic achievement. By enrolling these blokes in this way, I am not distracted from what God has called me to primarily do – Evangelism.
Sometimes I have to wear a bit of flack from well meaning friends in my own Church. Sometimes, even from my minister, but I sure of my calling and gently (or at least try to) remind them of my calling. Every year we have a Men’s Convention here in my home diocese. I have been a couple of times and certainly have not regretted my attendance, but I don’t see it as a priority for me. The Bible teaching there is good and often they have missionary speakers. The fellowship we men can have there is second to none. All good stuff, right? Well then, why the heck aren’t I making it a priority! Mainly because we are blessed with lots of good stuff in our diocese. The Bible teaching in my church is second to none. Our parish has several links to Missionaries and we have good fellowship on Sunday nights and other times. BECAUSE I HAVE A PLAN and am confident in my calling I can say “no” and, still receiving the above benefits at my church, look to other options more suited to the evangelism God has called me to do.
Gently reminding others and getting them onside can be difficult. This is what I find most difficult. It’s difficult because of several things. The main I believe is what I call the hidden factor. People in the Church quite often never see the Evangelist in action! It’s really hard to get people excited over things they cannot see. This is made worse by the prominence of things they can see! No wonder I sometimes cop flack over not attending the Men’s Weekend (which is a regular feature of our church’s life) and see little enthusiasm for me to support Summerfest (which is a regular Role-Playing Game Convention I and others run outside the Church). The solution here of course is to keep talking about what you’re doing in a way others can understand and integrate (which is most important) your ministry into the overall Plan of your Church. Any ministry can be integrated into your Church, even if it’s only so you get prayed for regularly.
Be confident in your calling. Do not waver from what God has called you to do. Be sure of your calling and be sure you are doing God’s work. Evangelists are vital to the Church and the Church is vital to Evangelists.
May God bless you in all your endeavors.
Captain Andrew D. Carter Dip. Ev., CA.
“Everyday Evangelism”
www.everyday-evangelism.com.au
My parting thoughts for now:
Pick the primary people group you wish to (or are) engaging with. How can you promote (in a way others understand) your Evangelism?
Ask where your Evangelism fits into your Church’s Plan and then confirm it’s written in (if only for prayer and encouragement).
If you do not as yet have such a group now is the time to take action!
Links to the other days:
Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day 4; Day 5; Day 6; Day 7.
Link to other Resources.
I would like to give you many more thoughts on evangelism. Please subscribe to my free E-zine at the Top.
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