The Issue of Evangelism
Over at Together for the Gospel, Dr. Mark Dever brings up a very interesting topic: evangelism. Here is a snippet:
"When people ask me what they can pray for me and our church about, I very often ask for prayer that we would see more conversions. I thank God for the conversions we have seen, but I would like to see more, for God's glory! I'm not, however, a big fan of the big conversion numbers that are reported by some evangelical churches. I don't believe them. I think they discourage real evangelism and true conversions and actually make our towns and cities more difficult places to evangelize.
I remember one friend telling me years ago that their church had had over 200 baptisms in the previous year. I was stunned! I asked him "Is the town changed?" He didn't understand. "What do you mean?" he asked. I told him that was about as many conversions as Edwards saw in the Great Awakening in Northampton. As I kept asking questions, it became clear that he didn't really know the people, he didn't know if they were still (months later) going to his church, the church (with a couple of thousand in attendance) was not noticeably larger, and those being baptized were mostly children of the church (another topic). My point is, 200 baptized was just normal business for them, and it made no difference. I pray for conversions that make a difference!"
This begs the question: What are we really doing when we "evangelize?" Are we just "growing chruches," and gaining new members? What happens to these people after they join the church or become baptized/accept Christ? Is there meangingful discipleship? Is there a person, especially in large churches where the pastor is busy, who is responsible for discipling this person and making sure they participate in meanginful, regenerate church fellowship with the body of Christ? If not, we may be doing these people a disservice. When one becomes a follower of Christ, he is making a covenant with the Lord that he will turn from sin's power and become a slave to righteousness. Are the people who are being saved really turning from the world, dying to self, and becoming dependent instead on God? To join the body of Christ and not participate in the commands of our Lord will leave this person living in sin, and likewise a miserable existence. Evangelism is serious business; not numbers business.
"When people ask me what they can pray for me and our church about, I very often ask for prayer that we would see more conversions. I thank God for the conversions we have seen, but I would like to see more, for God's glory! I'm not, however, a big fan of the big conversion numbers that are reported by some evangelical churches. I don't believe them. I think they discourage real evangelism and true conversions and actually make our towns and cities more difficult places to evangelize.
I remember one friend telling me years ago that their church had had over 200 baptisms in the previous year. I was stunned! I asked him "Is the town changed?" He didn't understand. "What do you mean?" he asked. I told him that was about as many conversions as Edwards saw in the Great Awakening in Northampton. As I kept asking questions, it became clear that he didn't really know the people, he didn't know if they were still (months later) going to his church, the church (with a couple of thousand in attendance) was not noticeably larger, and those being baptized were mostly children of the church (another topic). My point is, 200 baptized was just normal business for them, and it made no difference. I pray for conversions that make a difference!"
This begs the question: What are we really doing when we "evangelize?" Are we just "growing chruches," and gaining new members? What happens to these people after they join the church or become baptized/accept Christ? Is there meangingful discipleship? Is there a person, especially in large churches where the pastor is busy, who is responsible for discipling this person and making sure they participate in meanginful, regenerate church fellowship with the body of Christ? If not, we may be doing these people a disservice. When one becomes a follower of Christ, he is making a covenant with the Lord that he will turn from sin's power and become a slave to righteousness. Are the people who are being saved really turning from the world, dying to self, and becoming dependent instead on God? To join the body of Christ and not participate in the commands of our Lord will leave this person living in sin, and likewise a miserable existence. Evangelism is serious business; not numbers business.
posted by Charlie Wallace at 2:27 PM
10 Comments:
That is an important point, Charles.
Where do you draw on the idea of the Chritian being in a covenant?
Dyspraxic, Romans 11:13-24 as well as Galatians 3:1-14 indicate that the covenant relationship God gave to Israel through Abraham in Gen. 15 & 17 has been expanded in the New Covenant (Jer. 31) to include all those (both Jew & Gentile) who embrace the God of Abraham by faith. Thus, Christians are indeed in covenant with God.
Thankyou for that answer, Drew.
So then, what is a true conversion? Is conversion a one time action, or is it on-going process? Until we understand the meaning of conversion, we cannot know the true meaning of evangelism, right?
I define conversion as the moment of regeneration. With that being said, however, it is difficult if not impossible to judge whether or not regeneration has actually occured by someone merely making an oral profession of faith. Thus, evidence of a changed life over a prolonged period of time bears witness to a true conversion, just as Jonathan Edwards says in his Religious Affections.
"evidence of a changed life over a prolonged period of time bears witness to a true conversion"
I would agree with that.
That is kind of what I was leaning toward. Paul mentions over and over the necessity of perserving or enduring. I guess, the truth about it is only God really knows.
How can we love the brethren if we do not know who the brethren are?
good question, Matthew. The easy answer it to just love everyone as if they were a child of God. After all, God did create all.
The Bible does indicate that there is a special love of believers for each other. This is a new commanment of Christ (John 13:34). This is useless if it is a mystery who is in and who is out.
I see no indication in Scripture that we cannot have a reasonable certainty who is truly saved.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
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