I have some problems with the entire concept of "personal evangelism."
First I don't care for the term "evangelism." The vocable itself has been so terribly tortured, for so many decades, that anyone hearing it can't help but get the wrong idea. It automatically implies outlines, Saturday seminars for laymen, going for the close/conversion etc.
Secondly it wrongly binds consciences, telling Christians that it's everyone's duty to "evangelize" (as taught in Saturday seminars etc.) when indeed it's not.
Thirdly it springs from wrong notions, namely that we can "grow the church" and that if we don't do it, many will be lost un-necessarily. Untrue. Conversion and church growth is the work of the Holy Spirit, who is God, and who also loves the world and all its people.
Fourthly, mission work (not evangelism) is the work of the church, not the individual. It's accomplished by baptizing, teaching, absolving and feeding Christians with the Lord's body and blood. Every member has his part in it, but for the great majority it means: bringing their children for baptism, raising them in the faith, supporting the church in every way possible, most importantly by their presence at the Mass. Also being willing to contend for the faith, both its practice and doctrine.
Is there a time and place to answer people's questions in a simple way if you can? Yes. Is it proper for a young lady to tell her fiance: if you want to marry me, you have to come to my church and take instruction from my pastor. Yes. Should it be our goal to lead every person, and steer every conversation to matters of faith? No. Should we live in an "evangelism" frenzy, as do evangelicals? No. Do we need to mention, when we win an award, that we give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for His grace and blessing? No. Just take the award, say thank you and sit down. Can we invite people to church or a Bible class if they have questions? Yes. Can we ask our pastor to visit our neighbor in the hospital? Yes.
We've been living under the Moody/Graham/Kennedy/Friendship Evangelism deception for decades in America.
Live in your Christian vocation. Shed your false guilt about evangelism. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31). Support your church in the ways stated above.
First I don't care for the term "evangelism." The vocable itself has been so terribly tortured, for so many decades, that anyone hearing it can't help but get the wrong idea. It automatically implies outlines, Saturday seminars for laymen, going for the close/conversion etc.
Secondly it wrongly binds consciences, telling Christians that it's everyone's duty to "evangelize" (as taught in Saturday seminars etc.) when indeed it's not.
Thirdly it springs from wrong notions, namely that we can "grow the church" and that if we don't do it, many will be lost un-necessarily. Untrue. Conversion and church growth is the work of the Holy Spirit, who is God, and who also loves the world and all its people.
Fourthly, mission work (not evangelism) is the work of the church, not the individual. It's accomplished by baptizing, teaching, absolving and feeding Christians with the Lord's body and blood. Every member has his part in it, but for the great majority it means: bringing their children for baptism, raising them in the faith, supporting the church in every way possible, most importantly by their presence at the Mass. Also being willing to contend for the faith, both its practice and doctrine.
Is there a time and place to answer people's questions in a simple way if you can? Yes. Is it proper for a young lady to tell her fiance: if you want to marry me, you have to come to my church and take instruction from my pastor. Yes. Should it be our goal to lead every person, and steer every conversation to matters of faith? No. Should we live in an "evangelism" frenzy, as do evangelicals? No. Do we need to mention, when we win an award, that we give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for His grace and blessing? No. Just take the award, say thank you and sit down. Can we invite people to church or a Bible class if they have questions? Yes. Can we ask our pastor to visit our neighbor in the hospital? Yes.
We've been living under the Moody/Graham/Kennedy/Friendship Evangelism deception for decades in America.
Live in your Christian vocation. Shed your false guilt about evangelism. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31). Support your church in the ways stated above.
-- Rev. Dean Kavouras
Page 25 of The Lutheran Hymnal(as chanted by the pastor himself):
ReplyDelete"It is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God:"
1 Thessalonias 5:17-18:
17Pray without ceasing.
18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Matthew 10:32:
32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.