Pastors From Around The World Postulate Why Only 2% Of The Church Engages In Evangelism (Part 2)
Hi,
I signed up to a web site called “Linkedin”.
Here, pastors from all over the world discuss “issues” to do with Church life.
I posted a question on this site, inviting pastors to comment/ give their opinion.
The question was this. “ONLY 2% OF THE CHURCH IN THE WEST ENGAGES IN BIBLICAL EVANGELISM. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS SHAMEFUL STATISTIC?”
In the next few blogs, I am going to give you the answers they gave.
They make interesting reading!
Deacon of Arcdiocese of Detroit in the US wrote:
“I think for a lot of people in all denomination’s is our culture has gradually over the last 15- 20 years developed an ideology of relativism.
” What is right for me may not be right for you.” We are a culture of “values” rather than “morals” . Values are subjective, I have my values, you have your values:, Morals, on the other hand are objective. “Thou shalt not…. . I think over the years the average Christian has been culturally “programmed” to keep their “religion” to themselves.”
A radical separation of Church and State has developed. Speak about a nativity scene at Christmas at city Hall and get sued by the ACLU.
I think this mind set has implicitly set in to people.
They are afraid to speak out for fear they will be called a bigot. And they just might be called that now.
The lines in the sand are much more drawn and defined in our culture than they were twenty years ago.
Subjects like same sex marriage, divorce, abortion, these are all potentially hot under the collar topics that are bound to sooner or later come up when evangelizing.
I think it is more important than ever to speak up in this culture. I think it was St Augustine who said ” We are not OF this world, just IN this world,” we have a responsibility to spread the good news of Jesus.”
Fair enough …or fear enough. …it depends sometimes on why we share. I have a lesbian sister and love her very much. She knows my beliefs, and we respect each other.
Sometimes the only thing we can do is to live our lives out in front of them.
This issue of the mention of morality is fascinating because it has pretty much disappeared from our post modern vocabulary. Even politicians stay clear of it when forming new controversial legislation, espousing that each individual must be convinced by their own personal standards of behavior as there are no longer absolutes of right and wrong. For if one confesses there is black and white morals of behaviour then this undermines people’s own autonomy to chose for themselves what is acceptable behaviour. The same issue for abortionists to have the right to terminate their own babies in the name of self determination. We are Lords over our own behaviour and no one has the right to tell us how to live even if our behaviour threatens the well being of others. That’s exactly where we are heading and why so many Judges fail to fit the punishment to the crime. Hence the reason why so many would be Christians are too afraid and or too ashamed to share this Gospel of offense, because that’s what the message must do. It will always confront the spirit of intimidation that seeks to gag so called biggoted believers. Jesus made this clear when he said; Beware when all men speak well of you. !!! Phil Giles
Very good Phil. You always seem to come up with a wise and lucid summary of situations!
Hi Sarah, what you say is true. After we have shared the gospel with those around us, strangers as well as friends and family, we need to water that seed with all the love, prayer, care and tenderness God gives us.
After we have done all we can in this way, we must ultimately commit the people we love to Jesus and let Him have the final say. For Jesus Himself said “no one comes to me, except the Father draws Him” John 6:65.
Sadly, most non-Christians have never heard the gospel, so they are not aware they are lost and headed for hell (John 3:18). It’s a tragedy beyond words that most of us have kept silent for so long, pre-occupied with good works and social action (thinking they are to be equated with “evangelism”), or with in-house church activities.
Sarah, thanks for writing in. If anyone is a good example, a person who walks the talk, it would be you, so your sister is a blessed woman to have you in her family.
One of the commands that Jesus gave His Disciples was to follow ME, that is Jesus.
In that statement He was saying no less than follow Him in all the ways he conducted Himself, in the Words He spoke, in the works he did and especially in the character that He portrsyed in Hinself, which was no less that the character of God.
At one point in His ministry He c=sent 70 of His followers into the towns and cities giving this command ” Take no purse or change of clothes or aything with you, freely you have received,freely give.In My Name Heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead.
We can only do these things if we know Him as He truly is, our Lord and our master.
Jesus said in the Gospel of John “Learn off me” not just about Me or from Me but off me. This means we need to study the very intimate parts of His divine nature.
Abide in the vine continually, be routed and grounded in His Word and in Him.
With this in mond I have arranged an outreach into Tokoroa, which has been endorsed by St Marks Prebyterian Church, but is also being supported by other Churches here, including Elim, Living Hope Baptisr, Gospel Chapel and the Vision Church,Appostolic.
These will be helping to man the two BBQs and handing out tracts to all who come.
I will be continueing to sing with My wife, Winnie as well as Leslie from St marks. Along with this I will be preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and praying for all those the Lord allows us to.
Pray with us that the Lord will grant us His servants the ability to follow His command to healy the sick, cast out demonsthat we may do one thing, GLORIFY HIS NAME and show the people that there is a God who loves them and cares for them and that Christ is the only means by which we can be saved.
As usual, spot on Bruce! Thanks for writing in mate!
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