What does evangelism look like?
When you think of the term evangelism do you think of folks in their Sunday-best knocking on doors in the neighborhood or high-end marketing campaigns that cost a small fortune? Neither of those images sit well with many mainline Protestants. What does evangelism really look like and has it gotten a bad rap. The word evangelism derives from the Koine Greek euangelion, meaning good news. So yes, those who come knocking on your doors, whether you hide or not, are fulfilling one interpretation of how to spread the good news. Expensive marketing campaigns might also qualify as a legitimate way of reaching the unchurched you haven’t heard. But the early church spread the Word effectively and passionately without expensive ad campaigns or the danger of knocking on hostile Roman doors.
What is your church doing? Last fall while my husband was struggling with a heart problem, I notified my board that I needed to be close at hand and might miss one or two of my traveling obligations. I received several affirming responses, but was surprised for one member to go further. His church sent my husband a get well card signed by a good number of members of his church, Limestone Presbyterian Church. Now let me make it clear, we are not members of that church, nor has my husband attended before. But this church sends get well cards to anyone who has been added to their prayer list. It was that little expression of concern… a reminder that the body of Christ cares. It is just one special way that one particular church shows that it cares. What is your church doing? Many do caring things for their own communities, but our call is to minister to the wider community. There are many ways your congregation can reach out to evangelize and spread the good news. Want more ideas? Contact me at director@interfaithresourcecenter.com. Have ideas? We would love to hear what your church is doing.