Evangelism

Why is it that most Christians, Lutheran's included, have a faulty idea of what evangelism should be? Nearly every person who calls themselves Christian has the same definition of evangelism. Evangelism is when we try to bring others into our church. It doesn't matter if they are in a different Christian church, not in a church at all, or a member of some false religion. Evangelism is all about boosting our numbers. Obviously, this view of evangelism is way off the mark.

There are others who have a better view of evangelism. To them, evangelism is whenever we proclaim God's word to non-Christians. These people are close, but in fact are adding too much to the meaning of the term evangelism.

The word "evangelism" comes from the Greek words "eu" "angelos". Eu meaning good, and angelos (just like angel) coming from message or messenger. Therefore evangelism is simply preaching the good news. Evangelism is not only bringing this news to unbelievers, but the preaching of Christ crucified. All people are in need of evangelism. It doesn't matter if you have never heard of Jesus before, or if you were the apostle Paul himself, you still need to hear the good news on a daily basis.

How sad is it that the group of people who have taken this as their very name, the modern "evangelicals" (which means "bearers of good news"), are the very people who at times seem ignorant of the gospel, their very namesake? Even those who know and understand gospel rarely preach it, or save it for their "evangelism Sunday" (which of course should be every Sunday) and even then it is directed only at the un-churched. How sad is it that "evangelical" pastor withholds evangelism from his own flock, the very people he has been called to serve. How terribly sad is it that those who have taken the name "evangelical" have perverted the good news into works righteousness through their decisions for Christ and their perversions of the Sacraments and Prayer. How sad is it that those who call themselves "bearers of good news" do not proclaim this good news in its simplest form of confession and absolution.

Christians are not beyond the need for evangelism. In fact, evangelism, the spreading of the good news, is where we get our strength. It is an essential part of every Christians life. The good news is where grace is proclaimed, mercy is shown, faith is created and strengthened, and love is practiced. Apart from the Gospel, these things are just figments of our imaginations. Without evangelism, Christians become legalists and pietists. We become pharisees in our own time. But with the Gospel, the good news of Christ Crucified and risen, we have grace, faith mercy and love. We recognize that all of these things are gifts of God. Because of these gifts, we respond with thanks and praise.

SOLI DEO GLORIA