Evangelism: Finding Interested Persons, Developing Interest

A preacher, one of my former students, wrote me with a question. He was in contact with a person who wanted to be baptized in a church that baptizes in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He asked me about my experience with such situations. I responded to his question, also noting that my experience in Latin America is often the opposite—-those who insist on being baptized in the name of Jesus only. Both situations, although they arrive at opposite conclusions, suggest the same themes and verses for the Bible study.

Our communication was obviously more involved. Saturday morning, I received his report.
“So…it went really well. She is new to Christianity and about a month ago started reading the NT. She made it to the end of Matthew and decided she wanted to get baptized, having not read anything else. So, we journeyed through the other gospel accounts and Acts and it came clear to her that her “issue” wasn’t what she thought. It led to a bunch of other questions and turned out to be a really great first Bible study. Thanks for your insights and clarity.”
Although I do not have all the details about the “who, how and why” of this contact, I applaud all who have contact with interested persons who are diligent and serious seekers.

We in the church face many problems with regard to evangelism. An increasing number of Christians fail to grasp that the Lord commissioned his followers to share his message. The average member does not know how to tell their story and share their faith. More and more Christians do not believe it is necessary. The church has developed a “come and see” attractional approach focused on the corporate body, rather than a commitment to incarnational presence by individual members. The church has become dependent on a “clergy class” that is responsible for ministry. Ministry and mission have been redefined in humanitarian terms that have taken precedence over spiritual concerns…the list goes on and on.

In the midst of such challenges, it strikes me that the greatest problem may be that the average church in the U.S. has little contact with or connection to the unchurched masses all around us. We are not in touch with the people who are interested in spiritual things and are seeking spiritual answers. Let us pray for such contacts, let us pray for open eyes so that we can see, let us pray for soft hearts (ours and theirs), let us pray for the ability to say and do the right things to initiate Jesus-sharing conversations with the multitudes around us.

[Note: One of the first topics I present in my evangelism workshop is how to develop interest in studying and understanding the Bible. By learning how to initiate Jesus-sharing conversations, we can find more people who already have interest in spiritual things. By learning how to develop interest, we can motivate interest in those who do not recognize their interest, those who have lost interest, and those who will automatically reject more traditional, confrontational encounters.]

Sunday: Earn the Right to Have a Point of View

Not too long ago, Jan and I watched the movie, Music Within. The movie is based on the story of Richard Pimentel, a brilliant public speaker with a troubled past. When he returns from Vietnam severely hearing-impaired, he finds a new purpose in his landmark efforts on the behalf of Americans with disabilities.
One line in the movie was especially memorable for me. During his years as a capable but arrogant student, he was told by one of his professors, “Go out and earn the right to have a point of view.”

Not bad advice! Live life, live it fully, experience it completely with all of its victories and challenges. Look, observe, process, analyze, listen, learn. Develop an integrated point of view; earn the right to have a point of view. And then, Speak.

It’s Sunday Again: I Am, Therefore I Act

We spend a lot of energy in the church trying to get people to do what they ought to do. We study motivation–we encourage, we scold, we “lay on” guilt trips. We have missed a basic truth of Scripture. I am, therefore I act. One cannot get “faith actions” out of “unfaith” people. According to James 2, faith acts. If faith is present, actions follow. If actions are lacking, faith is lacking. My actions tell others who I am. My identity comes first–my actions follow. My actions are consistent with my identity. If I am a person of faith, that faith clearly defines my loyalties and allegiances, priorities and purpose. I do what I am made to do, what I am intended to do, what I must do to live a consistent life (without internal conflicts which lead to doubts).

A great need in the church is the development of genuine faith that determines the nature and actions of our lives in every circumstance. Paul told the Corinthian church that Christians are “compelled by Christ.” Christ is our life. Christ is our identity. Some churches have spent a lot of energy developing mission statements–statements of desired or intended actions. The best of those mission statements begin with identity statements: we are…. Identity statements must precede mission statement. Identity precedes planning. “This is who we are, therefore, this is what we do.” Churches that fail to develop plans are in danger of losing their identity.

Too many Christians live in an “identity crisis.” We think of ourselves as “church members” but have little interest in becoming disciples. We have made it easier to be a member (be baptized) than to be a disciple (total commitment of all I am and do and have). People are baptized but worship only sporadically. We misunderstand: baptism is invitation to forgiveness, commitment and community. We use the word Christian impotently. Some are called Christians (or call themselves Christians) who little resemble Christ. Some who call themselves Christians jump in and out of church like it was a social club or automobile association. Genuine Christians are not “in it” for the benefits. Genuine Christians are “in it” because of who they are, or more accurately, who they have become through the transformation effected in Christ and by Christ.

When people look at our lives–what we do–do they take note that we have been with Jesus?

Sunday: Taking Church for Audit

Twenty years after I graduated from college with my bachelor’s degree, I decided to go back to school to earn a master’s degree. My Hebrew was a little rusty (OK, very rusty!) so I decided to audit a Hebrew course at the local university. There are two ways to audit a course. The first way to audit a course is not demanding—you go to class, you sit and listen, but you don’t have to do anything during the class or during the week between classes. You have the advantage of sitting in class, along with a more relaxed attendance policy, no tests, no compulsion to do homework, and you still get an AU on your transcript. The problem is that when you audit a course that way, you don’t learn much and you can’t do much when you finish. There is a second way to audit a course. You attend every class; you do all of the homework and the teacher grades it. You take the non-mandatory tests to measure your progress. You put pressure on yourself. You benefit, you learn, you grow, you are changed, you act. My ultimate goal in auditing the Hebrew course was to be able to do something—read Hebrew using a minimum of helps. The class was not the goal—the goal was what could occur when I finished the class.

A lot of folks are auditing church using the first method. They sit in class (church) sixty minutes every week, unless something else comes up. They are fulfilling the minimum requirements of their religious audit. They are mostly present, but they are content to let someone else do the studying. A week or two later, they cannot pass a test over the class content (preaching). They do not bring their textbook to class, they do not do any homework between classes; they are not diligent students of God’s Word. They are content to let someone else pray for them—-they leave with the same prayer life they came with. They are content to let others prepare, study, pray, and do the work–before class, during class, and after class.

How can you tell the difference between the academic auditor and the serious student? How can you tell the difference between the church auditor and the serious Christian? Just as in my Hebrew class, the difference is in the results. My goal was to read Hebrew. My success or lack of success was measured by reading Hebrew. Going to church is a good thing, but it is not the ultimate goal. Our commitment to the goal is reflected in how seriously we pursue the course—studying, participating in the discussion group, sharing, practicing, and reviewing. And ultimately, the goal is reflected in how we live, what we do, and how much our lives look like Jesus as a result of our encounter with the Master Teacher.

Sunday: Contemplating “Us”

I have resumed international mission travels.  I am thinking about the contrasts between the churches in the U.S. and the churches in Latin America.  I share a few miscellaneous reflections.

Before the pandemic, it was common to be in Latin America almost as many Sundays as I was in the U.S. The differences were often striking! One Sunday in Venezuela, we had an hour of Bible class, a brief break, and over two hours of worship, including a lengthy sermon preached by a Colombian brother. Such would hardly ever occur in the typical congregation in the U.S.
I believe we can worship and serve God acceptably without lengthy assemblies, but the contrast makes me wonder if we have developed a form of Christianity that relegates our spiritual walk to the corners of our life with only brief appearances center stage. With 44 men present for a 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday leadership seminar (in a congregation of about 180), I cannot help but wonder if such could occur in the U.S. (Then we men sat around and visited an hour until the rest of the congregation arrived for two hours of Bible study Saturday night!)
Many things typically fill our Sundays — worship, fellowship, spiritual growth, service…. Let me add to the list of worthwhile activities: contemplation. What would happen if we were to spend a little time in meditation, contemplating us, beginning in the heart and asking what it would mean if we were to whole-heartedly live out our Christian commitment 24/7? Such could prove profitable. Perhaps such contemplation could change the course of our Christian life.

Sunday: “The ministry God has put in your hands”

In 2023, I have resumed international mission travels. Today I am in Ecuador! The next ten days will find me visiting several churches, speaking at a national men’s retreat in Colombia, and (hopefully) teaching at a Christian school in southern Colombia where the rector extended an invitation to speak to the students about spiritual formation. Travel has become more stressful. I am already being reminded that travel brings to my life great blessing.
Stressful–because weather easily interrupts connections, airplanes are full and people (fellow passengers) are unpredictable, I am getting older.
Blessed–because of time spent with friends and those of like precious faith, messages and conversations with Christians who have a heart for missions, the opportunity and challenge of working on new presentations, encouraging words received.

Several years ago, after I had returned from a mission trip, an elder from Nicaragua wrote me, “Brother Bob…muchas gracias…may God keep blessing you in the precious ministry he has put in your hands.” I often think of those words, that phrase: “the ministry God has put in your hands.” Those words of encouragement remind me that God has blessed me in wonderful ways. I continually get to work with, spend time with, and communicate with the most wonderful people on the face of the earth–God’s spiritual Kingdom family. We share common goals, dreams, and hopes. We long for the spiritual growth of the church and the development of healthy, capable churches around the world. We long for the salvation of souls brought to the feet of Jesus.

May I encourage you today to contemplate “the ministry God has put in your hands.” I am confident that God has something for you to do. Pray about it, find that ministry, and do it with all your being to God’s glory!

Sunday: “Did you follow me or did you do your own thing?”

“Did you follow me, or did you do your own thing?”
God’s eternal purpose is to bring people into and under the protective, saving Lordship of Jesus.
The purpose of a church that is fulfilling God’s purpose is to be involved in saving people and keeping people saved. When we have succeeded in the treasure hunt, we join the rescue mission.
Loving God means loving what God loves. Christians are passionate about souls because God is passionate about souls. Christians pray about souls. When Christians make a “blessing list” or a “most wanted” list, they show they are looking at people and are aware that that those people have souls.
We go out to bring them in. We send others to bring them in. The question is always the same, “How is the harvest going?” When Jesus taught about the harvest, he spoke of the need for more harvesters. The church has a lot of workers who are not harvesters.
Disciples of Jesus make more disciples.
We go out to bring disciples in. We are present where they are to bring them into Jesus. We proclaim him to bring them in.
We go to teach people how to become disciples.
When disciples do not know how to make disciples, we teach them how to make disciples.
When disciples struggle with following, we seek to strengthen them and teach them how to follow more closely.
Look at the ministry of the church. Look at the mission work of the church. God is going to ask one thing. “Did you do my work or did you do your own thing?”

Sunday: Time for an attitude check

Attitudes are like background music in our lives.  Attitudes are ever present, ever influencing our lives, playing in the background during every moment of our lives.  Attitude is a key to consistent Christian living. The attitude we should have is that of Christ (Phil. 2:5). When Christ’s attitude permeates our lives, we are unceasingly in prayer, focused on things that make no sense in this world.  Four attitudes can make a big difference in our daily efforts to live the Christian life–availability, sensitivity, responsiveness, and gratitude.

First, live with an attitude of availability. God, I am available for you to work through me to accomplish your kingdom purposes. I have no personal agenda, I am emptied (Phil. 2:9), I am totally available for you to do your work in and through me wherever and whenever.
Second, live with an attitude of sensitivity.  God, make me sensitive to the world, let me see you, make me aware of your presence in the world, assure me with the presence of your Holy Spirit. Help me see where and how you are at work, help me see opportunities. Make me “kingdom sensitive” so that I see you and your work and your way in the events of my life.
Third, live with an attitude of responsiveness. God, make me responsive to the opportunities you provide. Let me live in integrity, demonstrating the beauty of your plan for your human creation. As I am going, wherever I go, may availability and sensitivity combine to make me a responsive instrument in your hand to accomplish your will.
Fourth, live with an attitude of gratitude. When we understand the love of God for his human creation, we come to understand what he did to save us.  Having invested so heavily in our eternal salvation, he continues to do all he can to protect us from the world about us and Satan’s snares.  For Christians who clearly see this truth, it is harder to turn one’s back on God than we have thought or taught. Living in and basking in the love of God for us empowers us and motivates us (2 Cor. 5:14).

When the background music of my life reflects availability for God’s purposes, sensitivity to God’s presence, responsiveness to God’s power and guidance, and gratitude for God’s provision, life is different. This continual background music, coupled with unceasing prayer, changes lives. It can do the same for you.

Thinking the Faith

“Americans Describe Their Ideal Church.” Barna reports constantly survey the ever-changing U.S. religious scene. Churches find it more and more difficult to reach out to their communities. In his book, Thinking the Faith, John Douglas Hall pointed out that historically, until the 1960s, most Americans attended the church of their parents. Hall observes that faith was not “thought” but inherited. In some religious groups, one is considered a member even before personal faith develops. Until about fifty years ago, any choice of churches was virtually arranged for most people at birth. People went to the church of their parents which was the same church their grandparents had attended. Church shopping was rare.

In times past, people changed churches when they moved, when the church went through a split, or when entering a “mixed marriage” — when two people from two different church backgrounds married and had to choose to attend his church, her church, or an entirely different church. Things have changed! Church or denominational loyalty is at an all-time low. According to Barna, each year more than one out of seven adults change their church affiliation, and another one out of six attend a carefully chosen handful of selected churches on a rotating basis rather than sticking with the same church week after week. Even though U.S. church membership in 2021 has fallen below 50% of the population for the first time, church remains an important aspect of life for millions of people. However, there is less concern about religious “brand loyalty” than there used to be.

“Thinking the faith” may be the biblical ideal, but increasing church mobility suggests that other factors are now involved in understanding how and why people choose churches. In a survey from a few years ago, when those who attend a church were asked about the most important factors, nine factors were significant.  (The Barna research did not inquire about the things most important to the unchurched.)

The three most significant factors were the beliefs and teachings of the church, how the people in the church cared about each other, and the quality of the Bible teaching.  Additional factors that were statistically significant but not of primary importance included friendliness to visitors, care for the poor, quality of programs and classes for children, personable preacher, denominational affiliation, and quality of the adult Bible classes.

For those of us who believe that biblical faith should be thought out, the news is not all bad.  Two of the top three factors involved Bible teaching–content and quality. Worthy of note are the things missing from the list of important factors, especially with the current emphasis in many churches on worship music, small groups, inclusion, and the convenience and comfort of the building.

Answer the Call: Surrender to what counts

You will never be worth much to God in your Christian life until you learn to surrender to what counts. The spiritual disciplines must include surrender.  In fact, surrender may be first, the foundation of every other discipline. Surrender is the ultimate expression of thinking like Jesus (Philippians 2:5). Until we learn the lesson of complete surrender, we will continue to think it is about us and that success depends on us.  Until we learn the lesson of complete surrender, we will not likely become effective servants (slaves) in Jesus’ kingdom.
Do not be confused.  I am not talking about surrender to the minutiae, trivial, or urgent. These are hardly ever worth being the focus of our lives.

Surrendering to what counts is not easy–because a plethora of tasks, good projects, and commendable activities call for our attention. The choice of the best over the better or the good is seldom seen or done without extraordinary effort. Can you see reality, what is really #1? That is the only thing worth giving our lives for.
Surrendering to what counts will cause us to discard as unimportant the things the world teaches us to value. Cross-carrying: that is how Jesus defines surrender. Cross-carrying as Jesus describes and demands will demote self-promotion, possessions, reputation, and the accolades of others.
Surrendering to what counts opens new doors of genuine service and effectiveness in the Kingdom, because all that matters is the business of the King.

God, help us this day to surrender ourselves fully. Help us to identify the things that really matter in life. May we surrender ourselves to what counts, because of the majesty of the One we know as Lord, through whom we come before your throne, Amen.