1B. The Key to Success in Evangelism

In all walks of life, people look for scapegoats. A workman swears at his tools, a golfer blames the unevenness of the green, the rugby player wipes his hands on his jersey when he has missed a pass (by way of suggesting how slippery the ball is), the housewife blames her husband when the cooking has gone wrong. Scapegoats are not helpful in the church.

The organizational whole is made up of many parts. If individual members are sick then the whole body is impaired. If the separate fellowships are in good health, then so is the national organization. The key is with the local Church, and the way to get it moving is evangelism.

National Evangelism

Evangelism at the national level still has its place. It is public relations for the Church. It presents its image as an institution involved. It makes its appeal for support and gives it the opportunity to throw its chest out about its achievements. It bends the ear of the famous and powerful, it induces pride in belonging. Rallies work wonders for morale - filling a sports stadium with loyal members and friends - bringing out supporters in mass. Filling a cathedral with clergy and laity and processing so many dignitaries down the central aisle. But is the big meeting the best way to reach our neighbor? You have to get them there for one thing. Evangelism at home is better! We cannot rely on national efforts for growth, we have to see it at the local level.

Employ More Clergy?

Some people argue that the way to draw in more church members is to employ more clergy. Now it is obvious and statistically true that two full-time ministers in a community would touch more people and build a congregation quicker. However it also points to an even more significant truth that if the average man and woman in the pew took their own ministry seriously then outreach would be so much more effective. Documented experiences like Terry Fulham's in Darien, Conn., where rapid growth of a vibrant church has taken place, point to this. Blossoming of the church was due largely to a regenerated laity entering into a full ministry.

Successful Evangelism

At the local Church level, evangelism is definitely more successful, longer lasting and less expensive. More successful in that it involves people who would not otherwise be reached. It gets them doing things with Christian people they know as neighbors and friends. It brings them under the sound of the Gospel and allows them to respond in any number of ways. Local evangelism is more successful in that those who come to Christ are already in a lively church, they don't have to go out and find one. Very often their friends are also involved in their decision, so they are encouraged right from the beginning. This kind of support and cushioning will help many people survive who would otherwise drop by the wayside.

Fish Support

Biblical scholars tell us that the fifteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, "samekh," begins all the verses of Psalm 119:113 - 120. "Samekh," has the idea of "support" and is closely affiliated with the Arabic word "samak" which means "fish." I find it no surprise therefore that the early Church adopted the symbol of the fish. People came to know that where they saw the sign of the fish they would also find the support and encouragement of the local church. I am convinced that Christians should not rely on TV. evangelists, great writers or even traveling preachers for their spiritual support. They should be bound up in the local Church and there receive their Christian nourishment.

Local Evangelism

Local evangelism is also less expensive than national evangelism. If you invite a friend and his wife for dinner, they come not because of some highly decorated invitation card but because you are their friend. They like your company in your workplace and therefore knows they will feel at ease in your home. No national team has to be hired to do the inviting, no large hall needs to be booked. Your home is the auditorium, your friendship is the glossy poster, your Christian witness is the appeal, your local fellowship is the follow-up.

National Evangelism

National efforts do have their place. Very often the leaders in a denomination are the only ones to have a vision for evangelism. When the small bodies fail to grow, the central body takes over and does the best it can. However, if the national church is to succeed, outreach must begin in the local neighborhood. Let us now look at your congregation. Let us identify the spiritual health of your church by completing a Church Growth Inventory.

Question For Discussion

1. Is your church as active as it might be? If not, suggest possible reasons for this and solutions you might try.

"Practical Christian Outreach in the Local Church"

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