The most important command we have received in the New Testament is toward "Evangelism". This was the command Jesus re-emphasized just prior to ascending. The second most important command in the New Testament is probably "Unity". This topic is emphasized again and again.
It's hard to talk about "the Emergent Church", some of the "modern" approaches to evangelism or current church practices without the risk of hurt feelings and differences of opinion that may effect fellowship and unity. That's a shame, but it is reality. So, rather than discussing particular approaches or programs at this time, we can lay the foundation for discussing ALL programs by examing one simple construct:
To truly present the concept of Grace it has to include three strongly weighted components:
- GRACE and the need for God's unconditional forgiveness through Jesus,
- REPENTENCE and the need to turn away from the world and toward God, and
- OBEDIENCE and the command to follow Jesus with all of your being.
If any of these elements is under-represented or omitted, then I believe the Grace of God is being presented inaccurately and deceptively. If all three are present, I really don't care if the message is being shaved into the fur of rats and the church is launching the rats into a crowd with slingshots! Save'm where you find'em, I say!
Using this construct, we should all evaluate our methods of presenting the Good News and decide if we are offering the full message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. The vehicle is not the issue, but the message is everything. Faithful service to Christ requires that we present the full Gospel according to God's word.
I pray that we will all find that we are fulfilling the Great Commission in accordance with God's Will.
I really agree with this. What I wonder is, do we need to present all aspects on every occasion? I really struggle with this. I encounter someone who seems open to the gospel, but then I lose her by giving her more information than she can absorb. The gospel is simple, so simple a child can understand his need, and yet so fully orbed that a simple presentation of the 4 spiritual laws doesn't quite seem to cut the mustard, at least not in my experience. I have taken so many classes at our local Baptist church on evangelism, participated in the outreach programs to the fullest extent, yet I still feel inadequate when trying to implement a tract-type system of sharing the gospel. Tracts and evangelistic systems hit all the highlights, but they fall short for me somehow. There are just SO many views on everything, aren't there, in the Christian world? Lately I've been wondering if it isn't best to just be myself and let the Holy Spirit work through my daily life in whatever way He deems best. Another great post, VJ, on a subject I have really been wrestling with. Thanks.
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