Evangelism of, by, and for the Church
Perhaps we are, as Episcopalians, rightly bothered by the idea of evangelism. While Jesus constantly told everyone, even the most unlikely people, that the Kingdom of God had come near, he never did anything that looked like an evangelism program. The early church likewise seemed to think the Good News of Jesus was something one caught and how to make that happen wasn’t something they taught. Like a laugh that proves so infectious that everyone around is soon smiling and laughing, the joy of knowing the love of God as revealed in Jesus was never meant to be one more thing to do. This is why I was pleased by the Evangelism Charter for the Episcopal Church which is not a program, but something that flows naturally from a life of faith. The three components are evangelism of the church, by the church, and for the church.
Evangelism OF the Church
The idea is that I don’t start with anyone but me. I have to get the Good News of Jesus in my bones first. To live into that, our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offered The Way of Love, Seven Practices of a Jesus-Centered Life. This is a pattern of life that begins with continually turning toward God, repenting of our sins and changing our lives, and moves on through reading scripture, prayer, and worship before moving out to bless others and go beyond our comfort zone, only to return to rest. In the process of private and corporate prayer and reading scripture, the Church itself gets the Good News anew. Only after I catch the infectious joy of Jesus can I in any way share it with others, so sharing the Good News starts there.
Evangelism BY the Church
This is what our Baptismal Covenant means when we are asked, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?” and we respond, “I will with God’s help.” Our way of sharing the Gospel can be through the works of mercy Jesus called us to in feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and those in prison and so on. What we often refer to as outreach fits within sharing the Good News. But we also need to add our words to the example, so that the prisoner knows we came to visit out of our love for Jesus.
Forget every idea of talking to strangers about Jesus. No one is asking you to go door to door handing out Forward Day by Day. The best way to share your faith is simply not to hold back when you are having conversations with close friends, family, and co-workers in times of crisis and doubt. It may be a friend facing a parent going into Hospice care or a co-worker whose child died in a car accident. No matter how it happens, the Holy Spirit can use you if you will just be open, honest, and know better than to pretend to have all the answers. Because you do know that Jesus has gotten you through the tough times in your life and you shouldn’t hold back when talking to someone you care for who is groping for answers to questions that matter. Sure, invite the person to church. But first, just be honest that your faith in Jesus makes a difference to you in dealing with these problems. That is all there is to sharing faith in Jesus. Pictured here are two parishioners hugging at the peace following confirmations on Easter at St. Anne’s Tifton.
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Evangelism FOR the Church
When we do invite new people in, the church is always changed, made more fully itself. People new to the faith have that infectious passion that comes with new love and so they always transform a church. Evangelism is not just something that changes someone else. This Good News also makes a difference for those of us who share it.
The Evangelism Charter
Click here to read the Evangelism Charter for the Episcopal Church. Consider whether this is something your Education for Ministry (EfM), adult Sunday School, or other group could discuss as you next gather (here are some ideas). For while we should be wary of an Evangelism Program as a thing in and of itself, we need not be afraid of falling in love with Jesus again.
peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue, Canon to the Ordinary
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