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I read 1 Thessalonians 1 and see in it an example for us. It might be good to see it here. The words of Paul the missionary:
Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
Paul seems to be saying there was no longer a need for his missionary work in that area, because the church was preaching the gospel to their neighbors. And it may have been God's plan all along. He has placed the gift of evangelism in the church. Should not the church recognize and commission evangelists for their own local area?
I agree with you, I Thessalonians 1 is not just an historical record, but an example of early believers obeying the command of the Lord in Acts 1:8: being witnesses starting in Jerusalem (i.e. right where they were!)
They did not wait for "the clergy class" to do it, they knew that they, themselves,WERE the clergy (God's inheritance, the Greek word KLEROS, I Peter 5:3)!
However, do we have examples in scripture of evangelists being commissioned by their brethren to work in the local area? Was it those who were gifted as evangelists (Eph.4) who sounded out the word in Macedonia and Achaia? Or was it simply all the saints in Thessalonica?
If we were to "commission" evangelists for such a work, is it possible we could establish another "clergy class", another distinctive group unknown in scripture?
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Hello, Brother Bruce. It is always good to know that you are there. I trust that you are well.
I think you are right to be careful. We do not need to perpetuate the distinction between clergy and the rest of the people. However, we must also be careful not to go to the other end of the spectrum and to say that everyone has the same gift and the same ministry. The Lord has given us not only pastors and teachers and the other gifts. He has also given us evangelists. We might look at the example of the church at Antioch (See Acts 13), and decide to recognize them and to commission them.
As an evangelist myself, I see no reason for others to think of evangelists as a superior set. I often think it was in that role that Paul found the apostles (the sent ones) to be a lower cast. We both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day (1 Corinthians 4).
The point is that the work of evangelism remains to be done. Researchers tell us that only two percent of the believers share their faith. I will tell you that, as I work with churches, it seems to be true. As a representative of the Pocket Testament League, I have access to statistics on the number of people who agree to be members and on way the members carry out that program. Our results are similar. Yet that two percent do a tremendous job, as if they were trying to make up for what is lacking in the efforts of the others. I think they need recognition and support. That is not to say they should be put above anyone. Other gifts should be recognized and encouraged as well.
It is so good to communicate with you again! Thanks for writing.
First of all, please forgive me if I communicated the idea that I think that "everyone has the same gift and the same ministry". I do not believe that at all! But I do believe that "being a witness" (Acts 1:8) and "sounding out the word" (I Thess.1:8) ARE the work of all believers and not just that of evangelists. Where believers, in all their various gifts, are doing their job as God intended, there is no need for evangelists! I believe that God intended that evangelists' primary ministry should be that of "extending the frontiers of the kingdom" where Christ is not known. I think this was expressed by Paul as he wrote in Romans 15:15-22.
I believe that such is truly the pattern for the work of evangelists: "15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
Many so called evangelists today make their living travelling around from church to church preaching the Gospel AMONG THE SAINTS WHERE CHRIST IS NAMED! But Paul was actually HINDERED from visitting the church at Rome because he had been called of God to evangelize among those who had never heard!
Brother, you mentioned the church at Corinth whose example you suggested we might follow in recognizing and commissioning evangelists. What specific action of the church at Corinth did you have in mind?
I agree with you that we need to recognize and support each others' gifts, whatever those gifts may be. But to be specific, what kind of recognition and support would you like to see particularly for evangelists?
The work of evangelism is lagging, and one reason is that we do not have a sufficient number of evangelists recognized and sent. Let me say that I base that estimate on my own experience and that of my colleagues as I work in my own area and represent the Pocket Testament League and Gospel for Asia. I see a great need for the Gospel and I think it is still true that the harvest is great and the laborers are few (as in Matthew 9 and Luke 10).
Evangelists are one of the gifts God has given to the church (Ephesians 4) and their gift is as distinct as those of the pastors and teachers. Not everyone is a pastor. Not everyone is a teacher. And not everyone is an evangelist. I think we make a serious error when we say that everyone should go out and preach the Gospel. Not everyone does and one reason is that not everyone is an evangelist. Everyone has a gift and a function, but unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Thus we have one man called Phillip the evangelist (Acts 21) and Timothy as reminded that he is to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4). I think we are deceiving ourselves when we say that everyone can and should do the work of an evangelist. They cannot, and they do not.
It is interesting to be talking about this in light of my constant and recent experiences. Yesterday we went out with a team into an area that was judged to be in need of the Gospel. You could not stop those people. They were motivated and enthused and they kept going. Several people were saved as a result of the effort. Please note that this was not preaching within the church. The church had sent us and we were in the open air, at a secular function. We had the Gospel, and people were coming to us. They were kneeling there on the grass and praying with us. But there were more people than our team was able to handle.
I visited several churches today. At the first, I was told there was no one interested in going out with the Gospel. Tuesday is listed as visitation day, but no one shows up to go out. I had heard that before, and it was the reason I was there, to encourage evangelism. I asked one of the pastors if they would enquire as to who was motivated to do that type of work and we would train and equip them. They have a marvelous opportunity to preach the Gospel, as there is new development all around their church building. Their building is used by secular organizations and they can minister to them even as they come there to do their business, but they do not. They have given us freedom to come there to do evangelism, but we have said we would only come if at least one of the members would work with us. There is a lack of evangelism in that church, and I think no amount of preaching to them will get them to do it. The gift must be recognized and developed.
We visited another church and offered them our program. Some signed up, and some did not. We understand and accept that. Of the ones who felt led to join, there was apparent enthusiasm and they got the materials and tips. Indeed, one person had already become member, form a previous informal visit, and she was bursting with stories of her efforts and successes. It seems to me that was evidence of a gift being used. And again I go back to Ephesians 4 and see the evangelist on the list of gifts. We recognize pastors and teachers. Why not evangelists?
Put it this way: Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. But how will they call on him if they have not believed in him? And how will they believe if they have not heard of him? And how will they hear without a preacher (an evangelist?)? And how will they preach unless they be sent? And how will they be sent if they are not first recognized?
I see that an evangelist goes out from the church, sent by the church, to preach the Gospel out there, on behalf of the church. When it was said that the Thessalonians had preached the Gospel on their area, it does not say, and it does not imply, that every member of that church was a preacher. It is not to be understood, if it is said that a church bought a building, that every member was required to sign the papers. Some can act on behalf of others. It can also be so in evangelism. It is apparent that evangelists evangelize on behalf of the church.
Let me repeat that the recognizing of evangelists does not put them into a special class. The recognition of pastors and teachers should not be an elevation of them. We are to serve one another, and the evangelist is to serve the church by preaching the Gospel on behalf of the church.
This is not to say that the other people in the church are not witnesses. In the Bible, a heap of stones can be a witness. The church building is a witness. And that is not to minimize the witness of a living member of the body of Christ. Every believer should live a life that solicits the question, and every believer should be ready to give an answer to those who ask of the hope that is in him. But an evangelist does not wait to be asked, and he is not a silent witness. He goes, and he speaks. The church at Antioch recognized that the Lord had called Paul and Barnabas to be evangelists, and they sent them out. In that I think they are an example to a church of today.
Let me say one word about the need in virgin territory versus that in areas where there are established churches. It is simply this: that there is need for the Gospel in both types of areas. If we think there is not the need for evangelism in places like the United States and Canada, we need to wake up. One young man we spoke to yesterday had no idea what the Gospel was. He said he did not know how to pray. Some people have heard the Gospel and rejected it. But there are others who have never heard. That should not be hard to see. The church needs constantly to preach the Gospel to immigrants and to the new generation. But there are some churches where the Gospel is not preached. As Jesus and the apostles preached in the synagaogues, so also it is often necessary to preach the Gospel in a church. Yes, there are cases where we cannot be confident that the people in church know the Gospel. Likewise, we cannot depend on saved people to give the Gospel to their families or to their neighbors. We have been telling them its their job, and they feel guilty for not having done it, but the job remains to be done. I will tell you that a mother brought her son to me yesterday, because she was not able to explain to him how to be saved. She is a wonderful sister and a good mother, but she does not have the gift of evangelism. However, she was there to kneel with him as he trusted Christ.
Now I think you understand what I am saying. I recognize my own gift in evangelism and I seek to recognize and encourage and train evangelists. I think I have Paul as an example here, in the work he did with Timothy. I think Gospel for Asia is right in recognizing the call to evangelism and in training and equipping and sending out evangelists. We can keep saying that everyone is an evangelist, but the research says that only two percent of Christians share their faith. Some are scared and unsuccessful and they quit. That may be because it was not their gift. Some are bold and active and successful. And that may be because they are gifted and used of God in that particular task.
I think the fact that evangelists go out and away from their homes in order to do that work renders them worthy of financial support. They have to incur travel expenses, and they often have to have special types of secular jobs or no secular jobs at all, depending on the amount of time they spend in evangelism. I say they need support if they labor in the Gospel. I think you know of the scriptures supporting that. God designs that those who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel, and the laborer is worthy of his hire. The churches need to awake to these facts, and they need to abide by these scriptural principles.
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Hi brother Nobel, You wrote:"The work of evangelism is lagging, and one reason is that we do not have a sufficient number of evangelists recognized and sent. ... I see a great need for the Gospel and I think it is still true that the harvest is great and the laborers are few (as in Matthew 9 and Luke 10)." Brother I agree with you! But this problem is not unique to those gifted as evangelists! There are many prominent and well paid "pastors" but a tremendous dearth of true shepherds of the Lord's people and the same could be said of just about every genuine gift of the Spirit. Religious systems of men make counterfeits so popular that many believe they are the norm while the genuine articles are often almost as scarce as hen's teeth!
You wrote:"Not everyone is a pastor. Not everyone is a teacher. And not everyone is an evangelist. I think we make a serious error when we say that everyone should go out and preach the Gospel.....I think we are deceiving ourselves when we say that everyone can and should do the work of an evangelist. They cannot, and they do not."
Dear brother, I don't think I suggested that all should "preach the gospel" or "do the work of an evangelist". I simply stated that all believers should "be witnessess unto Christ" and "sound out the Word of the Lord". How a pastor does that will be different from how an evangelist does that and how a prophet does it will be different again. So too, obedient believers with the gift of mercy or helps or adminsitration will be a witnesses and will sound out the word of the Lord in their own unique ways as expressions of their own gifts.
You spoke of an enthusiastic team involved in preaching the Gospel but not in church. Excellent! That is precisely the way it should be! Churches (gatherings of the saints) are not places where the Gospel IS to be preached!! Fishermen never go fishing in a flock of sheep, nor do farmers sow seed in the granary or bring soil into the granary and then expect a bountiful harvest! Fishermen cast their nets in places where they know the fish congregate and farmers scatter their seed widely in the field. (The field is the world, not the church.)
You continued:"Let me say one word about the need in virgin territory versus that in areas where there are established churches. It is simply this: that there is need for the Gospel in both types of areas. If we think there is not the need for evangelism in places like the United States and Canada, we need to wake up."
It is true that Canada and the United States are flooded with religious organizations with "membership rolls" which are conglomerates of sheep and wolves but such are not churches (companies of called out ones) of which scripture speaks! Both of our countries desperately need the Gospel, -multitudes of children and young people in our schools are totally ignorant about the Bible and of Christ as are a growing number of adults! However, I'm more and more convinced that one major reason why we have an apparent lack of true scriptural evangelists, true scriptural pastors, true scriptural teachers etc etc is because we have generally adopted a view of "church" which is so foreign to scripture!!! We have made the church so "seeker sensitive" (aka making the world comfortable in the pew!) that the "church" has become even more comfortable being not only in the world but OF the world! Scriptural churches are NOT places for evangelism but for equipping of saints to do the work of ministry! EDIFICATION of saints was designed to be done while saints (not saints and sinners) are GATHERED together. EVANGELISM of the world was designed by God to be done as believers SCATTER into the world. Because we have lost sight of these scriptural distinctions (evangelists are pictured in scripture as fishermen and sowers) (pastors are pictured as shepherds of sheep) ministry attempts which seek to attract both fish and sheep, or both seed and dirt usually yield disappointing results! In your final paragraph, you wrote:"I think the fact that evangelists go out and away from their home to that work renders them worthy of financial support. They have to incur travel expenses, and they often have to have special types of secular jobs or no secular jobs at all, depending on the amount of time they spend in evangelism. I say they need support if they labor in the Gospel. I think you know of the scriptures supporting that. God designs that those who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel, and the laborer is worthy of his hire. The church needs to awake to these facts. and they need to abide by these scriptural principles."
You have mentioned some crucial principles here! A few observations, if I may: -living of the Gospel (I Cor.9:14) deals with the work of the apostle/evangelist. -the laborer being worthy of his hire (I Tim.5:17,18) deals with the work of elders whose primary responsibility is shepherding (Acts 20:17-35)
According to scripture, neither evangelists nor shepherds are hired by the church! Both are appointed by the Lord, Himself. Sheep have no right or responsibility to hire or fire their shepherds! They are too dumb for such tasks! But sheep are smart enough to recognize the voice and to follow the shepherd who leads and cares for them. But sheep do not pay the shepherd's wages! That is the responsibility of the OWNER of the sheep. Notice his instructions to elders in Acts 20:33-35. The example for elders/shepherds was lived and practiced by an apostle/evangelist and the Lord and Master of both met their needs as He saw fit.
Contrary to popular religious opinion there is no concept of a clergy/laity distinction among believers in new covenant churches. Nor is there any scriptural distinction between what is commonly called "Christian work" and "secular work". Nor does scripture teach us anything at all about "full-time Christian workers" as opposed to "part-time Christian workers"! I know many believers would argue that point but I would just ask such to name just one "full-time Christian worker" in the new covenant scriptures and to show, from the scriptures how the needs of such were met in a way that was distinct from the meeting of the needs of other believers.
I would suggest a radical perspective here: There is one economic system that is based on debt. It functions on the principles of charging and paying. When one is concerned with demanding their "rights" they always function by this economic system.
The other economic system is based on grace. It functions on the principles of giving and receiving. Those who are willing to surrender their rights and are determined to fulfil their God-given responsibilities give freely to others as they have received freely all that they are and have from God. It was for these reasons that Paul preached the gospel without charge (I Cor.9:16-18) and the Lord Jesus instructed his disciples to give freely just as they had received freely. (Matthew 10:8) Both systems are illustrated in Matthew 20:1-16. The first laborers had a CONTRACT with the Master. They would exhange a day's labor for a penny. The remaining laborers had a COVENANT (a promise given by the Master). "Whatsoever is right I will give you." Those who work under the first system are rarely happy with what they receive but always seem to think they deserve more. But those under the second system are grateful for whatever the Master provides. They trust Him and find that He is so faithful. Those who look to the hand of men for their wages must also look to the hand of the same men for their assignments. (He who pays the piper calls the tune!) But those who look to the hand of God for their supply are also free to take their direction from Him and not from men. Ps.123:2 says, "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us."
(This radical view is not just "theory" to me but has been my conviction and practice for the past 5 years. Since the fall of '99 I have not charged anyone or had a contract of any kind with anyone relative to payment for work that I do. But I can testify the the Lord, from whom I take my assignments has proven Himself so faithful in meeting my needs and those of my family.)
I trust this discussion may encourage many to reconsider scriptural principles of ministry relative to various gifts given by God to the church and to purpose to return to functioning according to scriptural, first century patterns of ministry.
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It is difficult to know how to respond further on this topic. I have discussed this with many Christian brethren before beginning this thread and since the last post. On the facts of the present situation, there is no disagreement. There is a paucity of preaching of the Gospel. It has been declining, and the decline is continuing. It is difficult for the unbeliever to determine what the Gospel is, and many claim to be saved without knowing it. The result is that there are many people attending church who never heard the Gospel, and still do not hear it. How then can they be saved? (See Romans 10).
The answer, of course, is that the gospel must be preached. (Matthew 24).
The question then becomes, who will preach the Gospel? Many say it is the responsibility of every believer to pass on the Gospel to others. The fact is, however, that only a very small percentage of believers talk to others about their faith. Those who do research estimate it is about two percent. Can that be changed? A pastor expressed his opinion yesterday: "We can preach to them till we are blue in the face and they will not do it". Personal experience bears this out. The average believer will not give out the Gospel. What is the alternative then? It is apparent that the two percent may be increased somewhat, as the Lord sends forth labourers, but it is also apparent that the small number preaching the gospel must do more.
But this is only one opinion. It may be useful to search the Scriptures again for the answer. We have seen before that the early church sent out missionaries, as in Acts 13. Jesus chose twelve, and then seventy, and sent them out. Still he said the harvest is plenteous and the laborers are few. What is the solution? Is it that every believer should go out into the field? He said we should pray that the Lord would send forth reapers.
Some have pointed out that Jesus said (Acts 1) that the disciples should go into all the world with the Gospel. Was he referring to the apostles (the word means 'sent ones') and theose who (as in 2 Timothy 2:2) would follow them in faithfulness to the task? Or was he referring to all believers? If we choose the latter response, we are stating the belief that ninety-eight percent of believers are living in disobedience as far as that command is concerned. By preaching this, we make a lot of people to feel guilty, but we do not move them to obedience. It is time, perhaps, that we reevaluate that preaching.
One day soon, in my area, a group of preachers will be coming together to consider of this matter. We hope that everyone will be giving a Biblical response and will listen to what the others have seen in the Scriptures. Should we continue to ask everyone to go out with the Gospel, or should we send out more missionaries? I hope to report on the results of that discussion in this space.
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Some believers are convinced that evangelism is for everyone.
Some are convinced that evangelism is not theirs to do.
In the weeks since the last post, I have discussed the matter with many individuals and groups. It is apparent that those views on the topic are set, and not easily changed.
A few days after the last post, I met with a group of pastors, and they were all saying that every believer should be actively involved in evangelism. Three days later I met with another group, and they were all saying that we need to recognize and send missionaries to the neighborhood and also to the foreign fields. Interesting that there was no one in the first group showing any interest in witnessing to the others around us in the restaurant. Among the second group there was a virtual competition to get their Gospel pieces out.
Last night I talked with a brother who was very bitter and pessimistic about the church. He could not understand how anyone could go out from the church as is, or invite anyone to church the way it is. He was finding impossible to witness, what with all the faults in the church. I returned home and found an article claiming that Jesus called us all to become fishers of men. I was left with the impression that nothing is gained by discussing the matter.
I seem to hear some to say like Paul, "Necessity is laid upon me. Yea, woe is me if I preach not the Gospel". And a plaque on my wall (from Emmaus Bible College) asks, "Evangelism. What are we waiting for?"
It is clear that some perceive that there is an urgent need to share the Gospel. On the other hand, some do not perceive a personal need to be involved. Some cannot be persuaded to do it, and some cannot be dissuaded from it. Why the difference, I cannot tell. I would suggest that the Spirit is moving some and not others, but others would disagree. So I will say that I cannot tell. The belief that God calls some to be evangelists in simply my own, and it seems to be futile, passages such as Acts 13 and Ephesians 4 notwithstanding, to try to change a person's thinking on it.
The wonderful thing about the kingdom of God is that it has a King! If at any time in history or any lace in geography, the saints fail to proclaim the kingdom and Christ, the King -- then the very rocks will do the proclamation.
Do not be anxious about evangelism; I assure you that God is not wringing His hands wondering if His Word will be proclaimed. It shall be, in every place that God had ordained...namely, unto all the world.
Along with all your struggling for evangelism (yes, Paul compares this life to a boxing match and a footrace; it is not a cake-walk), I think you must find times of refreshing in our omnicompetent King of glory. He's working today as ever; ours is to exercise the gifts He has given us, as He gives opportunity -- NEVER with a spirit of defeat or anxiety.
Our King's Word will not return void, but will accomplish all that He sends it out to accomplish, in His time and manner.
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I seem to lack for a proper answer to this one as well.
You seem to be saying that God is in control, and he has all power, and therefore we should relax. We may do some reading, fishing, SCUBA, powered paragliding, target shooting, bicycling, photography, and so on, and somehow God will get the Gospel to the people who need it. I think you may be correct. Ye those who relax like that may nevertheless have some spiritual gift, and some cause for which they struggle.
Many times have I heard this, that a man should simply exercise the gift that God has given him and not be anxious about the needs beyond his reach. He heed not even care enough to encourage others to be involved. On another forum someone asks, âIf God will save all those he plans to save, why do we have to worry about preaching at all?â It is not always that extreme, but people have reasons to minimize the need and the burden one may have in certain areas.
Yet I am not here interested in persuading one way or the other, or even in encouraging others to become involved. Nor do I suggest that everyone should have the burden or anxiety that I have. It seems that some of us are called to care, while some are called to relax. As Paul would say, âNecessity is laid upon meâ.
It is interesting that Paul would write as follows, about himself:
In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft, of the Jews five times receiving forty stripes save one, thrice beaten with rods, once stoned, thrice I suffering shipwreck, a night and a day in the deep, in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by his own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness and painfulness, in watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, there was also something that came upon him daily, the care of all the churches.
And yet, while he was going through all those things, he was saying to the church, âI would have you without carefulnessâ (1 Corinthians 7).
It is interesting that Paul would ask some to pray that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life (1 Timothy 2) while saying to Timothy that he should endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2).
It brings to mind the words of a secular song where someone sings, âIâm out here on the frontlines, so sleep in peace tonightâ. The picture is of a soldier enduring hardness so someone else can relax.
So please do not worry about this old soldier and his anxieties. Please do not try to persuade him to care less. And please do not say that no one should be ever anxious about the need in his field. It may be that God has called him to be anxious, and you to relax. âBe anxious about nothingâ was written by the man who had âgreat heaviness and continual sorrowâ in his heart for the unsaved.
But this is really about a call to evangelism and about a call for us to review our teaching on the subject. Some teach that we should all be active witnesses, but it does not happen. Some say it will never happen, that it was never Godâs intent. The effect of that teaching is to cause many to feel guilty while never enabling them to change behavior. Some say again that God never intended them to change that behavior. Each has his gift and calling. And yet, we should each encourage the other to do his job. I do not read that we should all relax and let God do it.
Strange, isnât it? The battle is the Lordâs, and yet, we must fight the good fight. We must cast all our cares upon him, and yet, we must care for the lost, and for the church. We are called to rest, and yet, we are to be workmen. Study to show yourself approved unto God, then, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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