A church without evangelism becomes a church that does not make disciples,
Because there are no new Christians to disciple.
A church without evangelism becomes a church where members fight over their preferences,
Because the members do not focus on reaching those who are not followers of Christ.
A church without evangelism becomes a church without true fellowship.
Because true fellowship not only cares for its own, but it looks beyond its own.
A church without evangelism gets mad at the pastor,
Because the members think they pay the pastor to do evangelism for them.
A church without evangelism becomes a church that does not do ministry.
Because there are fewer and fewer members to do ministry.
A church without evangelism becomes a church that strays from the Bible,
Because the Bible clearly teaches to evangelize people with the gospel.
A church without evangelism becomes a church giving less to missions,
Because there are fewer people to give to missions.
A church without evangelism becomes a church without prayer,
Because churches that truly pray are concerned for the lost in their communities.
A church without evangelism becomes a church that cannot worship together,
Because there are fewer people to attend worship services.
A church without evangelism will soon close its doors.
And that’s probably best.
Because that church stopped being a church long ago when it decided to no longer be obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
Posted on June 27, 2022
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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31 Comments
Good grief. In Tom Harper’s scenario, I can see the first-century Christians telling one another they are not ready to share the gospel because they are not quite filled with the Spirit. It’s just another variation of the argument that says evangelism cannot take place until everyone is fully discipled. Won’t happen. Never happens. It’s an excuse for inaction.
I was involved in an outreach. We set up a club (table tennis) to reach people of like mind (the relevance of this will be seen). We had a Chaplin. I had a committee that was from a non-table tennis background. We did amazing things – like make the online international publication for the sport. I felt we just knew no better. Clubs had been in existence for years and not achieved what we achieved.
I honestly feel churches will be the same. Populated by people who know no better. I want to make disciples not church members (though they will end up in church) (Thom would know better than I, but they reckon a new Christian loses their non-Christian friends within two years.)
For me that goes against everything that is the Great Commission. One unsaved guy I visit said 9 out of 10 visits are me. Another I invited to a dinner said I don’t go out normally. Another who is a Brahman in the Hindu religion and fairly new to the country referenced us as his friends, though we hardly see him. It seems to me much of what I think is the way things are for many, is an illusion.
Disciples of Christ are what I am after. My wife and I have set up three prayer meetings. Our desire is that new people see us being spiritually natural and naturally spiritual. To not exhibit an “us and them” or fortress mentality but to be in the world not of it. To be their friend. Someone they can trust.
For me the life of Jesus and the Book of Acts are my blueprint. Jesus related big time without compromise. We influence them and not them us.
Thanks, Peter.
That was really good thank you.
That was great thank you.
Agreed and reflecting on a couple previous responses. The gospel from this Sunday (Revised Common Lectionary) was Luke 9:51-62. Jesus sets out with his face set toward Jerusalem to complete his mission (restore creation to relationship with God). The Disciples were sent to do their job, to witness and prepare for Jesus’ journey, and when they wanted to do God’s job and call down fire to destroy the Samaritans, Jesus rebuked them. And people who were called by Jesus but who didn’t want to respond immediately were chastised.
But the old story isn’t what I found important. Part of the story is people need to do their job (calling) – for the Disciples that was to prepare the way and witness to the redemption in Christ. The implication was they had to do something and the time or preparation had passed. They knew enough to spread the word. Those called also had to respond with resolve – the time to figure out the best way to witness was over.
In some places Evangelism, as a term, is a loaded word. There are too many who put a negative connotation on being an Evangelist. I think we, as Christians, need to do the work we are called to do, to share honestly, to tell the story of our lives through the lens of God in Christ, and to be a witness. Our job is not perfection, rather action.
Les –
Your words are prescient: “Our job is not perfection, rather action.”
That was great reading
Thanks Thom for your passion for churches to reach the lost. After reading your summary and several of the comments, I just wanted to briefly and respectfully mention that Jesus did not command His followers to go. He actually commanded them to wait until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit and after that they would go and be his witnesses all over the world (Acts 1:4-5, 8). We all know what happened next. The early church had no new testament, no program for evangelism. All they had was the power of God and the leadership of the Spirit of Christ. I wonder what would happen today if churches made corporate prayer and dependence on God their top priority, and started passionately praying for the lost. It just might turn some natural churches into supernatural churches that God could and would use mightily.
Thanks, Tom. Jesus did command his followers to go (Matthew 28:19). His command to wait was specifically for the church in Jerusalem. They were to wait on the Holy Spirit. We no longer have to wait. The Holy Spirit is dwelling in all believers.
Thom, I have to respectfully disagree about Matthew 28. Many credible Greek scholars and several translations say that the go in Matthew 28:19 is not an imperative. Young’s Literal translates it “having gone”, The ISV translates it “as you go”, and there are others.
I totally agree that every born again Christ follower is indwelt by the Holly Spirit. But I don’t believe that all are also Spirit filled, Spirit clothed, and empowered for ministry, as they go. But I believe they all could be, if absolutely surrendered to Christ’s Spirit.
Tom Harper is yet another Christian looking for excuses not to evangelize. He takes the pedestrian path of a few others who use theological nuances to defend their disobedience. So, “As you go” no longer means go? So, the overwhelming number of translators say “go.” So, the preponderance of New Testament evidence clearly points to the mandate to tell others about Christ. Please don’t debate him further. He will study evangelism ad infinitum, but he clearly will not go.
I just have to say that “Christians” like Franklin Montgomery who are quick to judge, rather than listen, be considerate, and engage in a respectful conversation are why I left the church. The Bible is so complex and diverse! There are so many different ways to interpret it. I don’t agree with Tom Harper, but he has some valid points worth considering. To say he’s looking for an excuse to not evangelize is just uncalled for. Your Churches will always be fragmented if you treat one another like this. I was dismissed in a similar way for my questions about scripture.
Whit –
I am not a Christian, but I get amused watching you Christians fight. You accused Franklin of judgmentalism, then you do the same thing yourself by suggesting he is not a Christian (“Christian’). And I have no doubt that Tom Harper simply wants to impress us with his “academic prowess.” Otherwise, why would he even comment? Christians like you, Franklin, and Tom make me glad I am not one of you.
Jennifer –
You were right to call me out. I was being a hypocrite and I apologize. Tom, I’m sorry.
Commenting was a mistake!
Thom-
As a church I was pleased to see we’re checking off many of the items. In our revitalization/breakout effort evangelism is one of 5 areas we are focusing on. The challenge for us I think will be personal evangelism – getting individual church members to step up, identify prospective new members and invite them to church.
Warren –
We are working with churches on a prototype model to get church members to reach the lost. We are incredibly excited about the initial responses. It is called “The Hope Initiative.” More to come soon . . .
Good job! Keep it up. Please don’t just stop here. Would you consider publishing something that is a heavy push for evangelism each month on your site? I think the reluctance, or indeed refusal to reach out to the unchurched is so terribly embedded that it will take a devoted effort to find people in such churches that will share God’s wonderful gift.
John –
You nailed it and we are headed in that direction. This book has just been released with more resources to come.
https://www.amazon.com/Sharing-Gospel-Ease-Naturally-Resources/dp/1496461800/
Evangelism is the foundation of church growth. Evangelism; together with love is the reason Jesus came., He came to reach the lost.
Great article thank you.
Thanks, Dain.
A church without evangelism is not a church
Yep.
Hey brothers, I’m wanting to say a “balanced” ministry model is what is needed.However, I’ve never seen one. What I have seen and been in evangelistic and non evangelistic churches. From my first breath as a new believer 46 years ago I saw that training in the walk of faith was necessary. Needed now. And that’s what I will call balance. Sadly the training I received from evangelical “parents” seems to be missing. Having taken seriously the/my need to grow in my faith life, the church training union classes offered free so long ago were my joy and duty to attend. I grew as a young believer watching more mature Christians live,on purpose for the Jesus they claimed! Church houses that become social centers, doing good without the express purpose of evangelism are nothing more than a religious y.m.c.a. and even that organization has lost all semblance of the Young Men’s Christian Association. The great commission is the purpose, the only reason a Church is to exist. We exist for the Kingdom of God. The church is many things, A birthing center, a nursery for those new kids, a school to train up those kids, a trade school preparing them to go out into the world, a college making them more complete in faith and purpose. A hospital and clinic for them to get help with healing from injury inflicted by the world. And a celebration center where Jesus name is lifted in worship,as well celebrating victories of God’s grace for in sharing the greatest story ever given brings new life. Praising Jesus for the new faith lives birthed in the congregation with all the tacet responsibilities that follow. Evangelism, Jesus said go. Other than that, why bother.
Good word. Thanks, Tom.
Thanks Thom, but I think your post is a bit harsh! Discipleship is an ongoing process for Christians. So even there are no new believers the existing ones can still ‘learn’ more. They could even learn how to share their story and God’s story with others. In the UK para church and denominations are ‘mission mad’ – its mission this that and the other, but the churches themselves don’t know how to do ministry so a successful ‘mission’ would bring people into churches that aren’t ready to recive people. It’s like bringing people into a restaurant that has no menu, few staff and serves a lukewarm coffee – customers wouldn’t come back. I think we need pastors who focus on building a foundation of a balanced diet of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission and we will see churches grow. But that rests on pastors knowing how to do that and they don’t learn that in Seminary. I could go on, but that’s enough for today! Grace and peace, and thank you for your passion to see the church grow.
Thanks, Jason. I certainly respect your opinion and disagreement.
I have been working with churches for over three decades. Many of the leaders have suggested a similar position: Let’s disciple and get more believers equipped and then we can do evangelism. It does not happen.
The first wave of evangelism took place in the church at Jerusalem by totally new Christians. They did not wait to be equipped and discipled. They were compelled to share what Christ had done for them (See Acts 2:41-47 and Acts 4:20 as examples).
Thanks Thom, I agree with you in that people should share Christ. But after sharing Christ, resulting in hopefully a new convert, then new believer needs a ‘home’ that’s been organised by mature believers (a church family). Otherwise we have loads of ‘nominal’ Christians who are lone believers and not growing. Church plants from Vineyard UK and Evangelical Anglicanism have a better organised church on day 1 of opening their doors (preacher, worship band, admin crew, kids worker, youth worker, legal specialist etc etc.) than most other churches have after 10 years of hard work. Those churches are growing. But if you’re an existing church having to build a team from scratch in todays world of ‘red tape’ and policies, even the most basic work is overwhelming – thus bringing ‘the saved’ into a church that is barely functional is counter productive. So what I’m saying is, that the ‘saved’ need a home. And someone somewhere has to prepare that home or they’ll drift. Thus the need for a foundation not just a group of young men running around wanting to get everyone saved with no conscience or responsibility as to the ‘after care’ of the new believers…