How do you and/or your church engage in evangelism?

[Deleted member 13126]

I’m interested in hearing more about how each church engages in evangelism, especially as part of community outreach or evangelism that occurs outside of the four walls of the church.

What are you and/or your church doing along these lines?

 

[Ryan&Amber2013]

Our church hosts lots of events for the community. Festivals, conferences, public school programs, concerts, etc. At all of these Christ is the center, and then members try to share the gospel or hand out tracts at these events.

 

[Rom]

As far as group activities, we do monthly open air preaching where I preach and the congregation engages with those passing by. Handing tracts, praying with them, conversing. I wrote a series of blog articles on our experiences. Here is one:

Open-air preaching and the observant congregant

Coordination and Cooperation for the Gospel Introduction Two days ago, several from our congregation went out to Grapevine, TX to proclaim and present the gospel in advance of an exploratory worshi…

christcodeandkids.com

We also go door to door once a month in our neighborhood after our PM service. Besides that our people are pretty active speaking individually with their friends and loved ones.

 

[earl40]

Our church strongly encourages each person to evangelize. Personally I simply invite people to church to be discipled and baptize for I am not sent to do brain surgery or evangelize. Now if you need an Echocardiogram or a person to love you....call me.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Based on the number of replies, are our critics right to broadly refer to the Reformed as the frozen chosen? Could it be that we have the most robust doctrine but are lacking in this one vital area? Hoping to hear from more folks on this topic.

 

[LittleFaith]

It's not appropriate to make broad sweeping insinuations of this sort because you didn't get the number of replies you wanted. This is a free and open forum, not a venue for forced discussion by guilt trip. I speak up now because this is becoming a pattern.

Based on the number of replies, are our critics right to broadly refer to the Reformed as the frozen chosen? Could it be that we have the most robust doctrine but are lacking in this one vital area? Hoping to hear from more folks on this topic.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

It's not appropriate to make broad sweeping insinuations of this sort because you didn't get the number of replies you wanted. This is a free and open forum, not a venue for forced discussion by guilt trip. I speak up now because this is becoming a pattern.

I don't know if I can place my finger exactly on what I think is off-putting about this reply, but I'm going to try.

First things first, it was just an honest question, and I do appreciate you chiming in. But the broad, sweeping insinuation isn't being made by me, per se. I certainly didn't coin the term 'frozen chosen,' but I do wonder if the lack of evangelism in many of our churches (or an apparent eagerness to discuss the topic of evangelism) isn't indicative of a larger issue. It wasn't my intention to force people to discuss this topic with a 'guilt trip', and I'm really a bit shocked that you think people would need to be compelled to discuss a topic so innocent and integral to the life of the church.

While I appreciate you speaking up, I'm very discouraged to learn that you think 'this is becoming a pattern'. It's an honest post followed up with an honest question. However, I doubt that this is the pattern you think you're seeing. Feel free to chime in here or send me a private message if you'd be comfortable sharing more. I'm thankful to have brothers and sisters in the Lord who aren't shy to point out what they think they're seeing.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." - Proverbs 27:6 (KJV)

 

[LilyG]

I don't know if I can place my finger exactly on what I think is off-putting about this reply, but I'm going to try.

First things first, it was just an honest question, and I do appreciate you chiming in. But the broad, sweeping insinuation isn't being made by me, per se. I certainly didn't coin the term 'frozen chosen,' but I do wonder if the lack of evangelism in many of our churches (or an apparent eagerness to discuss the topic of evangelism) isn't indicative of a larger issue. It wasn't my intention to force people to discuss this topic with a 'guilt trip', and I'm really a bit shocked that you think people would need to be compelled to discuss a topic so innocent and integral to the life of the church.

While I appreciate you speaking up, I'm very discouraged to learn that you think 'this is becoming a pattern'. It's an honest post followed up with an honest question. However, I doubt that this is the pattern you think you're seeing. Feel free to chime in here or send me a private message if you'd be comfortable sharing more. I'm thankful to have brothers and sisters in the Lord who aren't shy to point out what they think they're seeing.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." - Proverbs 27:6 (KJV)

Be careful not to bind the consciences of the laity where the Scriptures do not.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Be careful not to bind the consciences of the laity where the Scriptures do not.

Hi Lily. I definitely don't want to "bind the consciences of the laity where the Scriptures do not." Can you help me understand where or how I am doing that, or maybe what motivated your warning? Is the suggestion that evangelism is optional, or something else?

 

[smalltown_puritan]

As with the congregation Rom ministers to, we do monthly open-air preaching (I preach, others hand out tracts and converse, and we also sing Psalms). Families and singles are very diligent to be active in sharing the Gospel with coworkers and neighbours (e.g., holding evangelistic Bible studies, having folks over). When things come up in the community (e.g., community cookouts), we are typically involved in that as well.

This is not exactly evangelism as much as witnessing to the Crown Rights of Christ (which is also important), but a guy in our congregation (who is a journalist by training and trade) is diligent in attending local school board meetings, building relationships with Christian local magistrates, speaking at local meetings, and maintaining a website that keeps folks informed about what is going on.

 

[Blood-Bought Pilgrim]

I'm ashamed to say my own personal evangelism has been lacking the last few years. This post is one of a few reminders I've gotten recently that I need to be more faithful in this area.

 

[LittleFaith]

I understand that other people have made the insinuation about the Reformed being the frozen chosen; however, unless someone else is posting on your account, you are in fact the one who drew a connection between the lack of response to this thread and the potential validity of that accusation.

Here are some possible reasons why threads don't get a lot of attention on here:

1) People are busy and don't have time to think through and draft a reply.
2) People are engaged in other forums or conversation topics.
3) The thread is started at an odd time of day and slips off the radar.
4) The thread is just not interesting or engaging.
5) There's a potential systemic problem with an entire demographic of which the lack of response is a possible symptom.

Charitability allows for the first two reasons. Humility would allow for the third and fourth. There's generally no good reason to insinuate the fifth, which is what your post did.

I encourage you to be more mindful of this pattern.

I don't know if I can place my finger exactly on what I think is off-putting about this reply, but I'm going to try.

First things first, it was just an honest question, and I do appreciate you chiming in. But the broad, sweeping insinuation isn't being made by me, per se. I certainly didn't coin the term 'frozen chosen,' but I do wonder if the lack of evangelism in many of our churches (or an apparent eagerness to discuss the topic of evangelism) isn't indicative of a larger issue. It wasn't my intention to force people to discuss this topic with a 'guilt trip', and I'm really a bit shocked that you think people would need to be compelled to discuss a topic so innocent and integral to the life of the church.

While I appreciate you speaking up, I'm very discouraged to learn that you think 'this is becoming a pattern'. It's an honest post followed up with an honest question. However, I doubt that this is the pattern you think you're seeing. Feel free to chime in here or send me a private message if you'd be comfortable sharing more. I'm thankful to have brothers and sisters in the Lord who aren't shy to point out what they think they're seeing.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." - Proverbs 27:6 (KJV)

 

[Deleted member 13126]

I'm ashamed to say my own personal evangelism has been lacking the last few years. This post is one of a few reminders I've gotten recently that I need to be more faithful in this area.

Me too, friend! Praying for us both.

 

[smalltown_puritan]

I understand that other people have made the insinuation about the Reformed being the frozen chosen; however, unless someone else is posting on your account, you are in fact the one who drew a connection between the lack of response to this thread and the potential validity of that accusation.

Perhaps it is not appropriate for me to come to another's defense, when I trust he is capable to do so himself. However, I read the comment "Based on the number of replies . . . topic" as a humorous, tongue-and-cheek way of simply giving the conversation a 'bump.' Perhaps not to everyone's humour; but, then again, nothing really is, or else it would no longer be funny.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Perhaps it is not appropriate for me to come to another's defense, when I trust he is capable to do so himself. However, I read the comment "Based on the number of replies . . . topic" as a humorous, tongue-and-cheek way of simply giving the conversation a 'bump.' Perhaps not to everyone's humour; but, then again, nothing really is, or else it would no longer be funny.

It was a bit of both, really. On one hand, it was an honest question. On the other hand, it was also intended as a bit of a bump, as sometimes threads get buried and more active members might just dive in to whatever is at the top of the list for active threads. I certainly didn't intend to strike a nerve or to cause any offense. I also didn't intend to exhibit any negative 'patterns' (still not quite sure what @LittleFaith is referring to, but I trust he's writing in good faith). Either way, it's helpful for me to consider not just what I intend in writing something, but also how it might come across to others reading it. This is an area I really do need to grow in.

 

[MyCrows]

Among our congregation, I would say the form of evangelism we are most engaged in is person to person, friends/family, which is encouraged strongly from the pulpit.

Certain gospel tracts have been endorsed and provided, and it's actually an area where I'm trying to open a few more doors, and widen our scope.

 

[Jack K]

My church is good at running events for kids, like camps and after-school clubs, that are strongly centered around teaching the Bible. Over the years, these events have drawn many kids from unchurched families, and their parents. Personally, I've had more conversations about Jesus with unbelievers at these events than in any other context. It helps that I'm often the teacher, so talking about Jesus both formally and informally is expected from me. Still, events for kids can be good outreach.

 

[TylerRay]

I’m interested in hearing more about how each church engages in evangelism, especially as part of community outreach or evangelism that occurs outside of the four walls of the church.

What are you and/or your church doing along these lines?

Outside the church: Several of us go to a nearby park after our afternoon service. Those of us who are preachers preach, and everyone hands out tracts and engages in conversation. To be clear, we don't engage in recreations at the park, only evangelistic work. Even the children pass out tracts.

Inside the church: Evangelistic preaching from the pulpit.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Outside the church: Several of us go to a nearby park after our afternoon service. Those of us who are preachers preach, and everyone hands out tracts and engages in conversation. To be clear, we don't engage in recreations at the park, only evangelistic work. Even the children pass out tracts.

Inside the church: Evangelistic preaching from the pulpit.

Such an encouragement to read about you, @Rom and others going outside the church and compelling folks to come in! May His house be filled!

 

[ZackF]

As a church, we have several outreach events including an annual car show, summer VBS, breakfasts, and a group for grievers.

As individuals we are encouraged to engage those in our lives, bring family, friends and co-workers to church. Personally, I've invited several people from work over the years and had some conversations about the Gospel. Also, be willing to give oneself, stretch your comfort level to neighbor. We have some acreage around our buildings, so we try to engage those who walk across our property. Recently a couple who live a few blocks away began visiting. We are intentional about making contact with those who DO visit. Also in the past few weeks, a Brazilian presbyterian family, with wobbly English, found us on the web started attending. They relocated to the US for the father's job. Their youngest son is my youngest daughter's age and does not speak a word of English. The oldest son is the most fluent. I speak some Spanish and will be learning at least some conversational lines in Portuguese to talk a bit more to the wife and youngest son. Our pastor has been helping them with logistical things.

Widows/widowers who family of our members have joined over the years. Often, they have seen how we've treated their own family when they are suffering whether they are members or not.

We sin, make mistakes, and pray for forgiveness. Pray for your enemies...

 

[earl40]

Is the suggestion that evangelism is optional, or something else?

The search engine has several good threads on your question and this is a summation of what you are asking from Pastor Bruce.

"It seems "obvious" to this interpreter that since the G.C. "obviously" applies to every believer in exactly the same way, then its a bit of "cherry-picking" to tell everyone that they need only feel the weight of obligation with respect to the matter of making disciples, but NOT ALSO that they must feel equally the obligation to baptize AND teach those same persons.

I'm laughing uproariously at the thought that anyone could have missed this... Who needs the Church and the Ministry anyway? Everyone is competent to teach and to baptize--i.e. "make disciples."

Really?


The important thing to remember is that we are not to impose obligation further than higher authority has assigned it. This is simply the matter of the limits of church-power. If the command of Christ here applies to all in the same, undifferentiated manner, then all have the duty to complete the obligation under the obligatory manner also prescribed.

That not every Christian is competent to teach or authorized to baptize (and I could go farther and say the same thing of both) should not even be debatable."

Is the Great Commission only to Apostles?

(This thought is in line with chaplinintraining's question on evangelism... but a little different, so I bring it up here, so as not to sidetrack that thread.) I've been involved in various evangelistic outreaches and mission trips for much of my adult life (some before our family was in the...

www.puritanboard.com

 

[Deleted member 13126]

The search engine has several good threads on your question and this is a summation of what you are asking from Pastor Bruce.

"It seems "obvious" to this interpreter that since the G.C. "obviously" applies to every believer in exactly the same way, then its a bit of "cherry-picking" to tell everyone that they need only feel the weight of obligation with respect to the matter of making disciples, but NOT ALSO that they must feel equally the obligation to baptize AND teach those same persons.

I'm laughing uproariously at the thought that anyone could have missed this... Who needs the Church and the Ministry anyway? Everyone is competent to teach and to baptize--i.e. "make disciples."

Really?


The important thing to remember is that we are not to impose obligation further than higher authority has assigned it. This is simply the matter of the limits of church-power. If the command of Christ here applies to all in the same, undifferentiated manner, then all have the duty to complete the obligation under the obligatory manner also prescribed.

That not every Christian is competent to teach or authorized to baptize (and I could go farther and say the same thing of both) should not even be debatable."

Is the Great Commission only to Apostles?

(This thought is in line with chaplinintraining's question on evangelism... but a little different, so I bring it up here, so as not to sidetrack that thread.) I've been involved in various evangelistic outreaches and mission trips for much of my adult life (some before our family was in the...

www.puritanboard.com

Mr. Earl,

Thank you for the link. Were it not for you, I would not have learned that Dr. Gonzales and I agree on anything at all, as he was a person my elders at a previous church advised I steer clear of. It seems he and I would have some of the same observations and share some of the same concerns, at least if his contributions to that thread in 2010 are any indication.

Thank you again, Sir. I was edified!

Sincerely,
C. H.

 

[jw]

First, let's let the Scriptures define Evangelism, disregard/ignore/discountenance the cavils of Arminians & revivalists (frozen chosen, yada yada), then -after getting the Biblical definition of Evangelism- talk about its application to every member of the visible church, according to place & station. Further, once we have done that, let us commend our brothers who may do outreach in great ways, which may very well include lay persons, being careful not to poo poo such efforts necessarily, nor imply that they may not engage so; and yet, let us also confess, such things cannot be required or commanded of others, all other explicit and commanded duties being taken up my ministers & members alike. Let every believer -according to place & station- be ready to give an answer for the hope that he has within him, to be ready to give a word in season to those who need it, to work diligently & faithfully in their callings (whether mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grocer, baker, candlestick maker), to share the great things that Christ has done for Him, to be an encouragement to the weary, a reprover of wickedness (according to place & station), in himself & others, etc.

 

[ZackF]

First, let's let the Scriptures define Evangelism, disregard/ignore/discountenance the cavils of Arminians & revivalists (frozen chosen, yada yada), then -after getting the Biblical definition of Evangelism- talk about its application to every member of the visible church, according to place & station. Further, once we have done that, let us commend our brothers who may do outreach in great ways, which may very well include lay persons, being careful not to poo poo such efforts necessarily, nor imply that they may not engage so; and yet, let us also confess, such things cannot be required or commanded of others, all other explicit and commanded duties being taken up my ministers & members alike. Let every believer -according to place & station- be ready to give an answer for the hope that he has within him, to be ready to give a word in season to those who need it, to work diligently & faithfully in their callings (whether mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grocer, baker, candlestick maker), to share the great things that Christ has done for Him, to be an encouragement to the weary, a reprover of wickedness (according to place & station), in himself & others, etc.

All of those words and you still needed an “etc.”

 

[jw]

All of those words and you still needed an “etc.”

Many.such.cases. I really did chuckle.

On a more serious note,

God's commandments are exceeding broad, and the best of us must ask with regard to endeavoring after obedience to them, Who is sufficient for these things? So, with that, imagine having commandments not of God, being given to the flock as duty, taking away from the efforts of those commandments that are His?

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Many.such.cases. I really did chuckle.

On a more serious note,

God's commandments are exceeding broad, and the best of us must ask with regard to endeavoring after obedience to them, Who is sufficient for these things? So, with that, imagine having commandments not of God, being given to the flock as duty, taking away from the efforts of those commandments that are His?

With the scope of this current thread, it’s easy enough to avoid. Rather than discuss whether or not to capitalize the ‘e’ in evangelism, or commandments for laity, it seems good to me to simply ask what people are doing (if anything).

Greenville recently passed a pesky law and I’m trying to drum up new ideas, as the new law substantially interferes with one of the reasons I moved out here in the first place.

 

[jw]

Rather than discuss whether or not to capitalize the ‘e’ in evangelism, or commandments for laity ...

Discussing whether or not to capitalize the e in evangelism ≠ Biblical definition of evangelism. Without this definition, because it has become so muddied, I am not sure I'm able to express how [me] and/or [my] church engage in it, seeing as how we may not agree on the definition.

But it's your thread, King, so I'll move along.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Discussing whether or not to capitalize the e in evangelism ≠ Biblical definition of evangelism. Without this definition, because it has become so muddied, I am not sure I'm able to express how [me] and/or [my] church engage in it, seeing as how we may not agree on the definition.

But it's your thread, King, so I'll move along.

Funny and kind. This is a winning combination, to be sure. Feel free to offer a biblical definition if it’s helpful. I’d love to hear what you’re up to. I’m confident others would also!

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Brother, rest in Gods providential will. Nobody who is predestined to salvation is going to miss their inheritance. God chooses whom he sends. We have to take this all the way back to the decrees of God. Every saint is meant to play a part. Your part is not the part of others, and their part is not ours. We all have a general commission to evangelize; but it isnt uniformly by holding signs, standing on a box and preaching, or handing out tracts. It is by the grace of our holiness; which cant help but to be a light on a hill. I dont care how bad the world looks; you either believe God is in control, or you do not. I believe we are all called to be witnesses; but understand, we all know Charles Spurgeons name, but do we all know the name of his parents? What work was greater? Though we should be nudged to do "something;" that something may take on the form of raising godly children, running a business righteously, giving grace when no one else would, etc. Though some are called to the more traditional forms of evangelism, not everyone is. The world isnt the way it is because Jesus' name is not known. The world is the way it is because everybody knows who Jesus is but loves darkness rather than light. We have to admit, that most of the entire world has been evangelized (there remains 29% that has not.) Anybody in America can Google Jesus, and download a Bible app for free. What do you think has a greater effect in the world we find ourselves in? Yelling at people "turn or burn," or having the ability to show them the glory of our confession by the way we live?

I would estimate that a majority of people in our contemporary society; at least in the West, who become Christians, become Christians because a Christian decided to invest some way in their lives....and the love and light of God in the lives of those that do, is too much conviction for them to bear; because that light magnifies the sin in theirs. You cant even be an Paul in America, here, one may spend a few days in county jail; the other got the skin ripped off his back five times with lashes and ultimately beheaded. Furthermore, one could say if one really has an inkling to make an impactful difference for the Gospel in regards to Evangelism; better to proclaim the Gospel where it has yet to be heard. And thats what Missionaries are for.

This also isnt so much as a response to you, but also as a self-conversation. I am really coming to the conclusion that the best form of evangelism I can do, in this contemporary society, is work on my holiness, and invite people to church where they can be shepherded properly. God-convos will come up when they come up, and we must always be ready to give a defense; but I am starting to rethink the whole street corner thing just stopping people asking them if they "know Jesus."

You advocate a very popular view! Perhaps even a majority view. Still, thank you for sharing it. To my mind, it’s an important reminder of 1 Corinthians 12:21 KJV.

 

[davejonescue]

You advocate a very popular view! Perhaps even a majority view. Still, thank you for sharing it. To my mind, it’s an important reminder of 1 Corinthians 12:21 KJV.

Sorry, I deleted that post. I saw that you were trying to keep it on topic with a post that stated "so what are your methods...," reiterating your OP. My comment seemed off topic. I will re-add it below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brother, rest in Gods providential will. Nobody who is predestined to salvation is going to miss their inheritance. God chooses whom he sends. We have to take this all the way back to the decrees of God. Every saint is meant to play a part. Your part is not the part of others, and their part is not ours. We all have a general commission to evangelize; but it isnt uniformly by holding signs, standing on a box and preaching, or handing out tracts. It is by the grace of our holiness; which cant help but to be a light on a hill. I dont care how bad the world looks; you either believe God is in control, or you do not. I believe we are all called to be witnesses; but understand, we all know Charles Spurgeons name, but do we all know the name of his parents? What work was greater? Though we should be nudged to do "something;" that something may take on the form of raising godly children, running a business righteously, giving grace when no one else would, etc. Though some are called to the more traditional forms of evangelism, not everyone is. The world isnt the way it is because Jesus' name is not known. The world is the way it is because everybody knows who Jesus is but loves darkness rather than light. We have to admit, that most of the entire world has been evangelized (there remains 29% that has not.) Anybody in America can Google Jesus, and download a Bible app for free. What do you think has a greater effect in the world we find ourselves in? Yelling at people "turn or burn," or having the ability to show them the glory of our confession by the way we live?

I would estimate that a majority of people in our contemporary society; at least in the West, who become Christians, become Christians because a Christian decided to invest some way in their lives....and the love and light of God in the lives of those that do, is too much conviction for them to bear; because that light magnifies the sin in theirs. You cant even be an Paul in America, here, one may spend a few days in county jail; the other got the skin ripped off his back five times with lashes and ultimately beheaded. Furthermore, one could say if one really has an inkling to make an impactful difference for the Gospel in regards to Evangelism; better to proclaim the Gospel where it has yet to be heard. And thats what Missionaries are for.

This also isnt so much as a response to you, but also as a self-conversation. I am really coming to the conclusion that the best form of evangelism I can do, in this contemporary society, is work on my holiness, and invite people to church where they can be shepherded properly. God-convos will come up when they come up, and we must always be ready to give a defense; but I am starting to rethink the whole street corner thing just stopping people asking them if they "know Jesus."