The Lord Wants YOU

 

How do we reach out to the world around us with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

For many of us, this is an intimidating question. I used to strongly dislike (and was intimidated by) the idea of evangelism, but now I welcome it. “Well, yea, you are a priest! You folks are supposed to like talking to people about Jesus.” Nope, not necessarily true. We clergy are often just as befuddled about how to reach out to non-churched people as most Christians. But in the end, none of us have anything to fear.

I believe that there are several reasons why evangelism – living out and at times sharing verbally the gospel message – seems like such a foreign and intimidating reality. I would like to suggest just a few:

Firstly, we have been taught that evangelism is something that it IS NOT. We Americans are easily lulled into thinking that the things which are best and true come quickly and promise impressive numerical results. I suggest to you that this is NEVER taught in Holy Scripture, as a matter of fact, Jesus teaches exactly the opposite. Being an evangelist is not being a manipulative salesman.

Secondly, there are those in the church who do have a special gifting in evangelism and, thus, will be more effective in reaching people with the Gospel than most. However, in Ephesians 4:11 these “evangelists” are first tasked with aiding each member of the church in their own calling for mission to the world. This means that evangelists (and pastors doing the work of evangelists) are to buildup individual Christians to reach out to others in the context of who they are and how the Holy Spirit has gifted them. I submit to you in the strongest terms possible, that the greatest efforts in evangelism in Christian history (taking the long-view) were attained as the Church was “being the church” together in reaching out to the world around it. At times, God has worked in some “movements” to do some good, but this is not his calling or desire. He has given his Church a wholistic commission. Only the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ has the promise that “the gates of Hell will not prevail against it”.

Thirdly, we Christians struggle with insecurity in accepting the fact that God loves us and that He truly wants to use us as his kingdom witnesses. Sorry, but this is just patently false. Satan (and the forces of evil that he symbolizes) is called the “great accuser of the brethren” and the “father of all lies” in Holy Scripture. God says that he wants to use YOU in his Kingdom. Tell Satan to go back to…well, his home.

I ask you to listen and discern if what I am saying above has any scriptural or historic credibility as we continue to journey together in the upcoming months and years. The Lord has promised to lead us and use us, but we will only have his power if we choose to believe his promises and open ourselves in humility to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Father Tom