Click here to read a little article from Christianity Today about What Evangelism isn't!
I thought it was pretty good and a worthy reminder for us that yes we can start hanging out with non-Christians, yes we can build relationships with them, yes we can say we are being like Jesus to these people BUT... it's not evangelism. Unless we are giving these people the chance to hear the good news, to know about their need for a saviour, then our efforts will be ultimately fruitless! This doesn't mean building relationships or doing other things are bad (as the author of the article states) but it does mean that we need to be focussed on proclaiming the Gospel as well.
All of this reminds me of a quote sometimes attributed to St Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words". It will always be necessary to use words... You cannot preach the Gospel any other way. You cannot tell people of their need for Jesus without words. There is a nice little site here where someone outlines some reasons why this quote is not that great!
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Chris I've been wanting to comment on this post since you put it up. Before I say anything I want to say that, as you know, outreach is important to me. I understand that people need to hear about Jesus. It is a command and very important.
ReplyDeleteI hesitate saying that these things listed aren't evangelism, or at least healthy and valuable aspects of evangelism because evangelism isn't limited to words or ideas. Words and ideas, though very important on the surface, are superficial compared to context and action.
Communication experts will tell you that only 10% of communication comes from words. 90% comes from context, non-verbal cues, tone, and credibility of the source. Though people need to know the story of Jesus, nay they have to know, the words are such a tiny part of communicating that story.
The quote, probably wrongly attributed to, by St. Francis has always spoken very strongly to me. It shows in a very succinct way that how we live speaks more loudly than what we say. Any creative quote taken out of any context can, of course, be stretched too far. You can critique things Jesus said if you take them out of context. St. Francis always talked about Jesus. At the expense of his own life he convinced a Muslim King to become peaceful by telling him all of the things that Jesus said about peace and forgiveness.
My point is that preaching is really important but it is way more deeper than just words. Words are the surface of greater and deeper truths about life. They are the mouth but a mouth without hands or legs or ears or credibility doesn't matter much does it?
I know you know all of this I just think it is important to add that preaching is much much deeper than just words.
I hope Melbourne is treating you well, mate!
Ha, "way more deeper" - I'm an expert at the English language!
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