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Church Evangelism
Evangelism is one of the special gifts that some are given, just as others are called on to be pastors or administrators in the Church. Evangelism is not just Christianized Public Relations, but relating the Good News of Christ (NOT necessarily that of the Church.) All Christians in the Church are called upon to be witnesses to Christ according to the New Testament , but only a few are called by God ( maybe one in ten) to become evangelists.
The Church normally would test these gifts and add their seal of approval in the commissioning of evangelists, and other ministers. In the Anglican system, as in The Church Army, commissioned evangelists work under the authority of the local Bishop.
Christian Evangelism
All Christians are called upon to share their faith whenever and where ever they can in both words and caring actions. Blaise Pascal wrote, "The serene silent beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world." Jesus spoke directly to evangelists and pastors when he said, "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them all that I have commanded you." Matthew 28.19
Evangelist and Evangelism.
An evangelist is called specifically by God to professionally share the faith. Dr Peter Wagner, a well known Church Growth expert has researched this question and discovered that only one in ten Christians has the spiritual gift of evangelism and exercises that ministry. Evangelism is the act of doing the evangelist's work of preaching and sharing the Good News of Christ. I would encourage you to "Google" or "Wikipedia" the words "evangelist" and "evangelism" or look in a good concordance for the New Testament use of the term. You might be surprised by what you find!
To be "evangelistic" is to be outgoing and enthusiastic. A salesman for a certain product can be said to be evangelistic as much as a Christian minister who is passionate about spreading the faith by evangelism. On the other hand, "Evangelical" is a description of those who are conservative biblically and theologically part of the evangelical movement worldwide, which contains many denominations and groups and by definition engages in evangelism.
Church Growth
"Church growth" may or may not be the result of evangelism. When the Gospel is preached then people may repent and turn to Christ in faith or may turn away instead. Church growth occurs in evangelism when individuals turn to Christ and become committed to the local Christian Church. Evangelism is not just public relations as in the "Back to Church Sunday" or "Fresh Expressions of Church" or even "Messy Church" but requires a personal response of individuals by faith in Christ.
Church growth, meaning an increase in the number of persons attending church, may also be the result of other demographic factors e.g. when a new housing estate is built in close vicinity to a church. See the "Diagnostic Clinic" for further examples of this phenomenon.
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