National Church Evangelism

The Scapegoat by Holman Hunt 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.

Eyes 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

18th Century Clergyperson Evangelism at the national level still has its place. Evangelism is public relations for the institutional 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?

Church 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.

Evangelism at home is better!

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