Author: Duncan Bell
Obviously there is a lot more that can be said about evangelism than has been said. Again I strongly encourage you to comment and talk to us and add to this conversation. In this article I want to discuss different methods of evangelism.
Mass evangelism is one the most popular forms of evangelism in protestant churches today. This is when the preacher would lead people in a prayer for salvation and then ask people to come to the front as a declaration of their decision to follow Christ. I personally do not like this form of evangelism at all; however, I must concede that it does have a purpose in the church and has served as the starting point for many a person’s lifelong commitment to Christ. Many preachers will also admit to the many shortcomings in this approach. Such as people being swept up in only very shallow emotions, and then become frustrated when they do not receive their interpretation of blessings that they believe are due to them now. I have seen many young people ‘lose their faith’ because they have based all decisions on their emotions.
Another method of evangelism is outreach. This is where you go to meet a physical need for a group of people, and simultaneously present the gospel to the people. Personally this is a form of evangelism that blesses the giver a lot more than the receiver. If you have never gone on an outreach, I highly recommend that you try it at least once in your lifetime. An outreach fails as an outreach when it fails to deliver the gospel message to the people they have gone to bless.
I believe a better method is a form of one-on-one evangelism, where you connect with other people based on shared interests; hence the title of the article. One of the most edifying and encouraging talks I have ever had was about the Bible over a beer. Please note Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:21, and 1 Peter 4:3 mention drunkenness as a sin, and I am in no way condoning drunkenness. However, my friend and I share a passion for beer and the Bible. So why should we not share in those passions simultaneously. My point being, how many more people can we reach if we allow our passions to overlap and share them with one another. If I met more people who love brewing and beer making, maybe that platform could allow me an opportunity to share my other passion, the Bible. Think of your passions. How many of them are biblical? I would presume to say not many. However, that is not a problem; the point is that you can use those passions to connect with people.
That connection will allow you to share the gospel with those people. The point is that you do eventually share the gospel with them, and not think that they will magically hear about Jesus from how you live. How can they hear about Him if you never say anything? What passions do you have? Tell us in the comments how you think your passions can reach other people.
These articles have boiled down nicely Mr Bell. Away with the watery broth of tasteless hypocrisy. What we have now is the sticky stuff of real life simmering down gently. Wasn’t it through Relationship that all things came into existence? Isn’t it ultimately by denying Relationship that Hell lies stretched over the horizon? Having things in common is the essence of all being. It allows the lovers, immeasurably distant individually, to know and listen and understand each other. This relationship too receives the power to create and look into the mirrors of their children and more fully understand themselves. Again those little ones grow and read and watch, deeply yearning to understand themselves also. I wonder if this thread of thought can be…