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Does Your Church "Do" Evangelism?

By Rich DuBose

Photo: Gino Santa Maria

As Christians we are called to be hopeful in a hopeless world. Evangelism is the art of being hopeful. It is an art because hope does not naturally appear or emerge on life's canvas. God, the master artist, applies it through the lives of His people who surrender themselves to Him. We are His brushes, sponges and tools through which He paints life-saving messages of hope.

Adventism and evangelism are two words that belong together! The Seventh-day Adventist church would not be where it is today were it not for the strong emphasis it has placed on preaching and teaching the gospel—which centers on the message of the cross and the resurrection. The uniqueness of Adventism centers around its understanding of end-time events which stretches from Daniel's time down to the 21st century. We believe that we are living in the toes of the metallic image of Daniel 2, and that the end of all things is at hand.

Adventism has always had a sense of urgency about it because we have believed that opportunities missed to share "the message" may result in lives lost. So, we feel compelled!

The word "evangelism" means different things to different people, but for many it means public evangelism.

1. Public evangelism has been the most visible means used by the church to get the word out. Typically, an evangelist preaches a series of sermons that touch on significant points of faith and biblical doctrine. They are typically held as reaping events, meaning that the evangelist is expected to reap a harvest at the end of the four-to-six week series. To not do so would be considered unusual and reckless.

In recent years, NET, or satellite evangelism has been widely used as a means to reach largely populated regions and countries. Experience has shown that this method works best when it is coupled with venues that allow for personal contact and interaction.

One of the down-sides of public evangelism is that members often view it as a professionals only activity. They reason, "we don't want to mess it up, so let's bring in the professionals who make their living 'doing evangelism.'" Also, many view evangelism as an event rather than a way of life. Once a series of meetings is over—they consider evangelism to be finished. Maybe next year they'll do it again.

The ideal occurs when paid staff and members view evangelism as a way of life that focuses on personal interaction and story-telling. Doctrinal presentations lack vitality if they are not coupled with personal accounts and testimonies of how God has used His word to bless people's lives. Effective evangelism touches people at a personal level.

2. Personal evangelism calls for members to view themselves as ambassadors for God who are strategically called to "witness" and "share" His amazing love. The idea is that each one has a story to tell of how God has led and worked in their personal life. To think this way prepares us to look for opportunities to share.

I recently received an email from a lady who said:

Please give me some things I can do at home to help further God's work. The local church has nothing for me. Thank you so much. Quite sincerely--RL

The idea of a church not being able to provide its members with opportunities for personal ministry is hard to imagine. One of the primary functions of the local church, and particularly its leaders, is to provide individual members and groups of members with opportunities for personal ministry and service. No wonder many churches are dying. Churches need leaders who can help match people's skill-sets and passions with ministry needs.

Every area of church life provides avenues for members to reach out in unique ways to those who may not be open to methods of traditional evangelism. Our first work is to make sure we are available and willing to be used.

This short video clip illustrates how we can view evangelism in a more holistic way.

Public evangelism has its place, but it should never be looked to as the primary definition of what evangelism is. I'm saying that when members hear the word, evangelism, instead of thinking of a 4-6 week series of meetings, they should think of the many incredible opportunities that surround them every day to touch people's lives for God.

Does your church do evangelism? I hope not. While evangelism certainly involves a lot of doing, I hope it will not be simply viewed as a series of meetings; as something we do, finish, and then move on from. Rather, evangelism is a life we are called to experience. The difference between doing and living may seem trivial, but it can spell the difference between hosting a once a year event and continually nurturing a garden of members—each gifted to share God's love in myriads of ways.

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Rich DuBose is director of Church Support Services for the Pacific Union Conference. All rights reserved © 2008 Church Support Services. Click here for content usage information.