Exploring the Role of Evangelism in Church Growth
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The Need for Evangelism in Christian Faith
During a recent family hike, I overheard an intriguing exchange between two men. One was a newcomer to the area while the other was a local, eager to share insights about the region. Their conversation took a turn when the local mentioned a website starting with 'jw,' which immediately struck me as a reference to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, subtly sharing his beliefs in a friendly manner.
In my earlier days as an evangelical Christian, I often found myself in similar situations, carrying gospel tracts in my backpack, ready to spread my faith at any opportunity. I lost count of how many individuals I invited to church who eventually chose to get baptized. Even my own mother embraced Christianity through my influence.
Why Evangelism Matters
After reassessing my Christian beliefs, I began to ponder an essential question: if God is indeed all-powerful and loving, why does He depend so heavily on humans to disseminate His message? While it's natural for believers to want to share what they hold dear, it raises concerns when the responsibility for spreading this message seems entirely placed on humans, with God's presence feeling conspicuously absent.
A Missed Opportunity Post-Resurrection
One persistent question lingered in my mind during my Christian years: why didn’t Jesus remain longer after His resurrection to address the skeptics directly? I was taken aback to discover that He only revealed Himself to His disciples and not to anyone outside their circle. This left the daunting task of convincing others to His followers, a responsibility that seemed disproportionate.
The church often explains that God entrusted Christians with the mission of evangelism, but this does not fully address the underlying issue. Over the last two millennia, Christians have grappled with the challenge of making God's name known. Many individuals throughout history never even encountered the gospel. For example, Native Americans had to wait 1,500 years for European colonizers to introduce them to the Bible.
Confusion Among Believers
Even among Christians, there is a lack of consensus regarding the essence of Jesus' message. The historical conflicts among various Christian traditions illustrate just how poorly this divine message has been communicated. It's particularly troubling that God seemingly anticipated this confusion before issuing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), yet still placed the responsibility on imperfect disciples.
Does God Truly Care?
In a corporate setting, if a CEO has a vital initiative, they would assign capable individuals to execute it and intervene as necessary to ensure its success. If, however, they delegate to unqualified employees and remain uninvolved, it raises questions about their genuine interest in the initiative.
Similarly, if God is indeed all-powerful and loving, the inconsistent results of evangelism could suggest a lack of authentic concern for ensuring His message is effectively shared.
Christianity's Global Presence
Some may argue against my critique by pointing out that Christianity is the world's largest religion, a testament to the tireless efforts of missionaries and evangelists. However, one must wonder if this is truly the best outcome an omnipotent God could achieve. It seems more indicative of the determination of Christians rather than God's direct involvement.
If Christians view their religion's prominence as evidence of divine engagement, what happens if another faith surpasses them? Will they abandon this logic or claim that God has switched allegiances?
The first video titled "How Your Church Can Grow in Evangelism" discusses strategies for effective evangelism and the importance of community outreach in church growth.
The second video titled "The Impact of Doctrine on Church Growth" examines how various doctrines influence church expansion and the challenges they present.
The Growth of Other Religions
It's important to consider that Islam is currently expanding at a faster rate than Christianity. If the Christian God exists while the Muslim God does not, how do Christians reconcile this trend? Has God taken a hiatus, changed sides, or is He simply limited in His power?
Some might argue that God allows for free will, giving individuals the option to believe in Him. However, this rationale falters when we recognize that many non-Christians have never been exposed to Christianity or were raised in environments favoring other religions. In such circumstances, labeling it 'free will' to choose Jesus seems neither fair nor accurate.
Challenges of Evangelism Without Divine Presence
If someone is campaigning for public office, the most fundamental step they can take is to be present so that voters can meet them. The ongoing debate about God's existence speaks volumes about the weaknesses in the arguments presented by Christian apologists. This isn't merely about whether God is worth following; it's about the foundational issue of His existence, which could be resolved simply by Him making an appearance.
If a candidate were running for president, yet there were discussions about whether they even exist, skepticism from voters would be warranted. Similarly, how can individuals be faulted for not submitting to God if they are uncertain about His existence?
Conclusion: A Reflection on Evangelism
The church's reliance on evangelism for growth raises two possibilities: either God is indifferent and chooses not to engage in spreading His message, or He simply does not exist.
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