Winning souls, that's what it is all about right?
If I were to take a test, I am sure I would test out for an Evangelist. As an Evangelist, we think repent, salvation, repent, salvation, so on and so forth. But somehow our visions have become blinded by salvation only. The vital key that is evidently missing here and back in the county I grew up in the United States is discipleship (teaching). Salvation requires a change. If there is not a change, how can their be salvation? Salvation is more than saying a sinner's prayer. It is a changed life that becomes a way of life. But, how do people know how to live an abundant life if they are never taught?
Even though my family is split in all sorts of different ways, I remember one thing that we used to do as we were little with my mother and (ex)step-dad (for clarification for those who know my family, I know it is confusing for you). We used to have family time each night and read the Bible. How much time does the Christian family spend together in prayer and the Word? How much time does the Christian family spend teaching their children the principles of the Bible? When the family does not teach, then who does? Does the church? Yes, or so they should and it should be parallel to the teaching of parents to their kids. Should we not also teach our friends? Now days, in the church, the core group does not disciple. I think the church is made of two categories, the family and the extended family. For the church I spent my preteen and teen years in I was part of the extended family. I did not have blood family there but was accepted as such.
Here in the La Laguna, by some accounts, it is an Evangelised city. Some say even in the upwards of 10%. I can only help but gently laugh to myself. If we had 150 Evangelical churches here with 50 members in each that would give 7500 Evangelicals. 10% of the area would have to be 130,000 people more or less so for the sake of less lets say 80,000. The math does not add up. One of my prayers has been let the workers arise. Last night I had the third person come and talk to me about wanting to be a missionary. That is three people! But, then you look at three and oh wow, big deal. Take a look at this Baptist Press writers multiplication article on "The simple way to turn 30 disciples into 100,000" and then Guy Muse's article on their vision and strategy to win 500,000.
When we set out in the world within our own power, we are going to fail. We cannot let our thoughts and lives blind us. I ask a lot of questions of people. I ask of people who may have less knowledge than me (not that I know anything) and of those who have much knowledge. The one thing that scares and saddens me the most is the one thing I do not want to happen to me. Often we get blinded by our own vision and thinking's. I want constantly search my heart. One person may say one thing and another some other thing and guess what this does not make either one right or wrong. So, then I have to think, well why would one say do it this way and the other this way. Why, because for one we are all in different parts of the world with different influences. But, I get to reflect and have to make the choice in prayer, am I right or wrong in my thoughts. I believe there is a Biblical structure to Evangelism and missions, but in that structure, there is not a detailed plan, if there were, at what point would we need to go to prayer and seek guidance from the Lord. I believe the Bible speaks clearly on what we are to do but not always clear in the how part of it as in giving us a step by step daily itinerary. When we deviate from what the Bible says though, we have a problem. When we act in our own will, we have a problem. It is not easy but God never sends a warrior off to war without equipping them with what they need and what we need is Him. If we do not show others by teaching them the Word of God, we set them up for failure and ourselves. The Bible says in Matthew 5, Blessed are those who mourn. I do not think we can come to the point of understanding what Evangelism or missions is until we can come to the point of mourning, but in the same, how can we come to the point of mourning if we do not have a poor spirit?
I am excited that three people are ready to step up and answer the call and let me tell you what makes me even more excited. The prior two are not just merely two people who have stepped up and said, "I want to be a missionary", but their actions prove where their heart is. It is evident that they have a thirst for Christ and to see the people of the world come to know Christ in a personal way and to live daily lives that glorify Christ.
Relationships are a very important part of the road. Their are times you have to eat that of which you do not know and trust that God is in control. In order to have true relationships we have to put past our former lives and live a life in Christ. We cannot relate to someone when we refuse to get on their level. We are not here in a race to see how many people we can get to say "the words". We are here to share the Word of the Lord, which encompasses more than a thought of salvation but living a life that would demonstrate Jesus Christ. Go to Yahoo and type in “define salvation” and notice the alternate choices it gives you.
Comments
We want to be in a continuous cycle of prayer, evangelism, and discipleship. With all three working simultaneously the church moves forward. If any are not working properly, all suffer. The church planting will take care of itself if we are properly doing all three. This helps me to be able to focus on what our task is, and leave the task of "I will build my church" to the One who said He'd be the one to do it.
Good post.
Posted by: guymuse | November 12, 2006 01:51 PM