Mythical Evangelism

Isn't it amazing how myths become facts just by repeating them enough?!  For example - people are destroying the planet - (Global Warming)!  The media is having "fits" because it is hot out west!!  Hey - isn't it summer?  I believe they call it "Death Valley" out there partly because it gets hot in the summer!!!  Just a few years ago they were predicting the coming ice age!!!  And that we would run out of all known oil by the mid 70's!  Science that can be that wrong - well - I'm not going to panic anytime soon over Global Warming and summer temperatures!!!

Well - the purpose of the post is not "Global Warming" but rather myths repeated in the church regarding the evangelization of the unsaved - unchurched folks!  There are several myths about evangelism and evangelistic efforts that have been repeated enough and accepted as fact with the result of decline of practically every denomination in America!

Myth #1 Everything we do is evangelism!   Maybe you have not heard that one - but I have - it was especially popular a few years ago.  If everything we do is evangelism - then we must not be doing anything at all! Otherwise our churches would be bursting open with new life and new churches would be formed in record numbers!

Myth #2  People cannot be reached by "cold call" evangelism!  Tell the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses that and watch them laugh!!!!  It is not the most effective method - and culturally one can argue that it has become less effective.  Yet - when coupled with a "probe" of a community - or a distribution of gifts for a neighborhood - or pre-site visits for a block party - there will be people God has prepared to hear the gospel - and they will trust Christ!

Myth #3 People will not come to church if I invite them!  Whoa!  Contrary to the popular belief of many - most people - especially if invited by a friend or co-worker - will attend a worship service - if invited.  The key is giving "a meaningful invitation!" 

Myth #4  Personal evangelism is just not the way to share Christ anymore!  Get them to a service and let the "pros" handle it!  Not exactly!  Personal evangelism is a "growing process" for the believer.  For a new believer or one inexperienced with sharing their faith - a logical "next step of obedience" is indeed to invite as many of your friends as possible to weekend worship services and pray for their salvation!!!  Absolutely! 

As one grows in confidence and knowledge of the gospel - they can add to this the "personal sharing" of the gospel with others.  We will not win the world to Christ by just reaching those we can get to come to us.  We need "exponential" growth to really impact the culture and the Kingdom.  That requires personal obedience to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment!  At some point we have to so love Christ that He is in our hearts - our expression - on our lips - and our faces!!! 

Again - inviting people to a weekend service is one part of evangelism that we should not ignore!  Everyone can do this!  But we should not stop there!  Become more personal in sharing your faith and enjoy the blessings of leading people to Christ.

Myth # 5  A church cannot grow without a formal outreach program!  Maybe!  For a church without an outward focus, a "program" of outreach can be an effective tool to refocus and energize people to look outward and reach people.  There is no "one best" program for this - whatever fits your people!

However, one can argue that "outreach" programs take the place of personal obedience in evangelism.  What is more effective - 25 - 30 people visiting in FAITH or GROW or whatever you call your outreach - or 300 - 400 people so in love with Jesus that they are constantly in "y'all come" mode (come to church - come to Christ)?

FINALLY - be careful about declaring any evangelism method to be "the way to reach people" or "the way not to reach people."   I do not do much "cold call" evangelism - but under the leadership of the Holy Spirit - I am not going to throw away a tool of evangelism just because I do not use it every day.  My shop is full of tools that I use frequently and infrequently.  The tools I use frequently are tools that I really appreciate.  However, the rare tools that I need on rare occasions I appreciate even more!!   The same is true in evangelism -

ONE FINAL THOUGHT - Evangelistic methods never used never work!  So go out and do something to let people know about Jesus!!!!