The State of... Evangelism (Part 3)

Disconnect Between Pastors and Evangelism

One of the big questions discussed:

"Why is evangelism less prominent now than any time in the past several generations in the western Church?"

After this was batted around a bit, I tossed my two bits into the mix."We are presenting to our people a model for inviting that is completely unrealistic - I.E., the ministry of Paul.  Jesus clarified that his life and approach to people is to be our model.  Somehow we have made Paul's debating - reasoning - arguing style of matching wits the model.  Some can indeed pull this off.  I am in fact wired this way.  Not many pastors can do this.Certainly, very few people in church attendance can relate to this model.  Jesus always intended to serve as our model for connecting, inviting, accepting (not necessarily approving of behavior) people into the kingdom."Paul clarified the content of the message of the kingdom - Romans, Galatians, and other letters.  Paul was a debater.Many mainstream - secular historians such as Will Durrant place Paul in the top handful of intellects of all history.  Who can reproduce what he did?  Very very few.Jesus foresaw this.  Thus he came announcing the kingdom by usually meeting needs with one hand and explaining verbally what this kingdom was about on the other.  Jesus was a 'Show first, then explain the second' approach.  Anyone can love, serve, show kindness - then bring them along like Jesus.Continue to Part 4