Up Close

I really like the way some people think. In my quiet time this morning I was reading some stuff from Ed Stetzer, President of Lifeway Research. He gets it!

"You cannot talk to people when you keep them at arms length, let alone show them how much God loves them. Real evangelism is done up close-life on life. Too many of us forget that holiness is avoiding sin, not avoiding sinners. Instead of being consumed with righteous behavior and the ability to recite an evangelistic outline perfectly, we need to spend more time walking with unbelievers as friends and not prospects."

I want to surround myself today with people who think like that. Rather than wondering what I can get from them, I want to wonder what I might give them. How I might add to their lives. There is an old saying that goes: "People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care" I am thankful for the people that I am privileged to rub shoulders with today.

The Evangelist

ok. It's been a refreshing time of vacation but I need to get back to the blogosphere. We are excited about the rally at church tonight with Larry and Gloria Lundstrom. They have a proven ministry of evangelism that has passed the test of time and integrity. We have personally known them for many years. If you are able to get to Harlan tonight you will be blessed. The "Evangelist" or messenger of the Gospel good news is listed as a gift given to the church.

Ephesians 4:11-13 "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

We are encouraged in the Bible to be evangelistic. 2 Timothy 4:5 "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." These words remind me that I have a responsibility to present (re-present) the truth of God to the world. I am glad for the opportunity to do that by inviting people to tonights rally. I appreciate your prayers for this event.

The Cycle of Constant Components

I have just completed reading a book entitled, “The Local Church in Evangelism” written by Randy Hurst. It is a textbook for a class I am taking about reaching outside of the walls of our churches and really making an impact on the community. Inside the book, I found a section of analysis of the great commission. It does a good job of discussing the difference ( if there is one ) between evangelism and discipleship. Our mission includes both and treating them separately is an artificial distinction. The mission of reaching the lost includes proclaiming the gospel, leading people to a decision to follow Christ, and discipling them to become evangelists-messengers to the spiritually lost people in the world. Here is the cycle:

“Evangelism should always be undertaken with the objective of discipleship, and discipleship should always prepare believers for evangelism.”

They are “Constant Components”

I will be spending the weekend finishing this class and I expect to gain some new insights on effectively sharing the gospel.

I challenge my blog readers to all strive to learn one new thing today.