This week’s article will likely be short, but I want to cover some of my recent thoughts about evangelism, tradition, and the status quo. “Status quo” simply means the “existing state of affairs”. Many times people are reluctant to challenge the status quo because of tradition. I believe the is the case with evangelism.
Somewhere along the line we (and by “we” I mean the church of Christ) started pushing evangelism to the side. Don’t get me wrong, there are congregations who do plenty of evangelism (and that’s great) but I do feel there are many that do not do adequate evangelism.
On the other hand, I do not think the evangelism problem (if you want to call it that) is easily solved. I think it is something that each congregation should discuss and take small actions on. I think that sometimes members of the Lord’s church think that evangelism requires a complete redesign of everything within the church, when in reality it is simply adding a few simple things to the congregations agenda. Then a few more. And a few more.
Still, the very mention of evangelism seems to ignite hopelessness and sometimes indignation within the body of Christ. I assert that that needs to end. I believe that many congregations in the Lord’s church need to see that every tiny step (getting church business cards, starting a church newsletter, keeping the church website up to date) counts as evangelism. Then, I believe that each congregation should plan to add more and more evangelizing techniques to their agenda. Again, it doesn’t have to be a BIG-thing, it just has to be SOME-thing!
Also, we should remember that our examples in public (work, the grocery store, events and services) should represent Christ well. This is also a form of evangelism. So, what steps can we take to spread the Word of God more effectively? That’s a good question. I think that’s something for every congregation to consider and take action on regardless of tradition or the status quo.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.