Comments on: Why Is Vocational Evangelism on the Decline? http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline Kingdom People - Living on Earth as Citizens of Heaven Thu, 24 May 2012 20:05:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jason Betler http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6118 Jason Betler Mon, 21 Mar 2011 07:15:07 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6118 This is an excellent post. Thank you so much! I am an American based in Singapore because God has called us to Asia. I am not Baptist ;-), but I am an evangelist and on the same team. Although even the title of "evangelist" may seem obscure in most areas of the church-world, it does not in any way diminish this critical role. My small contribution to this discussion is a consideration. There is no shortage of work, but the work is not inside the church. This is perhaps where evngelists get most "stuck." If you are called to win the lost, then go to the lost. It is not a position for which the preacher (evangelist) always depends on the approval of the church. A minister recently asked me what his movement could do to encourage their evangelists. He seemed shocked when I suggested he limit their time in the churches. He never thought of that! But seriously,if you are a fisherman, you will not catch fish in the bathtub. In my estimation, churches have a right to complain about evangelists who do not evangelize to the lost. Go where the people are. Learn to communicate to lost people; not church people. THAT is the value of the evangelist. They are a valuable ministry because they march to the edge, call sinners to life in Christ and at the same time turn to the church and call her (even equip her) to move forward in God's love for the lost. May we all learn to love the same. This is an excellent post. Thank you so much!

I am an American based in Singapore because God has called us to Asia. I am not Baptist ;-) , but I am an evangelist and on the same team. Although even the title of “evangelist” may seem obscure in most areas of the church-world, it does not in any way diminish this critical role.

My small contribution to this discussion is a consideration. There is no shortage of work, but the work is not inside the church. This is perhaps where evngelists get most “stuck.” If you are called to win the lost, then go to the lost. It is not a position for which the preacher (evangelist) always depends on the approval of the church.

A minister recently asked me what his movement could do to encourage their evangelists. He seemed shocked when I suggested he limit their time in the churches. He never thought of that! But seriously,if you are a fisherman, you will not catch fish in the bathtub. In my estimation, churches have a right to complain about evangelists who do not evangelize to the lost. Go where the people are. Learn to communicate to lost people; not church people. THAT is the value of the evangelist. They are a valuable ministry because they march to the edge, call sinners to life in Christ and at the same time turn to the church and call her (even equip her) to move forward in God’s love for the lost. May we all learn to love the same.

]]> By: Frank Shelton http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6117 Frank Shelton Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:04:31 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6117 God bless you and I pray we will pray for those still out there as vocational evangelists. It is not easy and evangelism isn't expendable. Blessings always and thanks for your insight. NEW blog post -http://frankshelton.com/2010/08/the-expendables/ God bless you and I pray we will pray for those still out there as vocational evangelists. It is not easy and evangelism isn’t expendable. Blessings always and thanks for your insight. NEW blog post -http://frankshelton.com/2010/08/the-expendables/

]]> By: Tammy http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6116 Tammy Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:59:28 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6116 Good thoughts but you hit home when you said that personal evangelism is on the decline. So true. Our church has an evangelistic team (http://www.galkins.org/) this week...thankfully no tactics, hype or fluff. The Gospel undefiled. You're even invited--not that you need the evangelism part but we do have a Sacred Irish Concert this Friday...and we are in Franklin! Good thoughts but you hit home when you said that personal evangelism is on the decline. So true. Our church has an evangelistic team (http://www.galkins.org/) this week…thankfully no tactics, hype or fluff. The Gospel undefiled. You’re even invited–not that you need the evangelism part but we do have a Sacred Irish Concert this Friday…and we are in Franklin!

]]> By: Jim Hale http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6115 Jim Hale Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:37:45 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6115 I spent most of the last decade in the PCA, where I came across exactly one bonafide evangelist, in the vocational sense. This was a guy who would go out on the Washington Mall, set up a tent, and ask people if they died whether they would go to heaven. He was treated as an oddity in our very Reformed church. Indeed many thought he was crazy and somewhat embarrassing. I soon learned that the PCA way of doing things was totally different. The emphasis is on planting churches, and doing so with great energy and success. When I was in Ukraine, none of the PCA-planted Ukrainain churches were involved in the Franklin Graham crusade, but just like in the states, they were quietly planting solid churches for the long haul. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the church planting model so much more, and from what I've seen, it appears to be working. I spent most of the last decade in the PCA, where I came across exactly one bonafide evangelist, in the vocational sense. This was a guy who would go out on the Washington Mall, set up a tent, and ask people if they died whether they would go to heaven.

He was treated as an oddity in our very Reformed church. Indeed many thought he was crazy and somewhat embarrassing.

I soon learned that the PCA way of doing things was totally different. The emphasis is on planting churches, and doing so with great energy and success.

When I was in Ukraine, none of the PCA-planted Ukrainain churches were involved in the Franklin Graham crusade, but just like in the states, they were quietly planting solid churches for the long haul.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate the church planting model so much more, and from what I’ve seen, it appears to be working.

]]> By: Brian Johnson http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6114 Brian Johnson Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:12:46 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6114 We may also call into question whether many really know the true gospel message as preached by both Peter and Paul in the NT. My British website "What Is The Gospel?" attempts to recover the biblical Gospel we once knew. We may also call into question whether many really know the true gospel message as preached by both Peter and Paul in the NT.

My British website “What Is The Gospel?” attempts to recover the biblical Gospel we once knew.

]]> By: Pedro Jimenez http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6113 Pedro Jimenez Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:58:40 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6113 Excellent post!. Thank you for sharing. I´m one of those crazy guys who have a sense of calling to be a vocational evangelist. Still don´t know when, how or where, but if God is the one who called, he has the answers to those questions. Until everyone hears. Excellent post!. Thank you for sharing.

I´m one of those crazy guys who have a sense of calling to be a vocational evangelist. Still don´t know when, how or where, but if God is the one who called, he has the answers to those questions.

Until everyone hears.

]]> By: Michele Helms http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6112 Michele Helms Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:41:25 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6112 My husband surrendered to the ministry later than usual...he was 41....he quit his corporate job and jumped enthusiastically into full time ministry. He was and still is so excited to share his testimony and many come to Christ when he speaks. We have the full support of our pastor and friend, Johnny Hunt. We are quite busy here in our hometown with a door to mentor young men here locally and while I agree with all the things that you wrote...the obstacles that we have encountered are 1.There are many churches that are pushing a watered down...make everyone "feel good" type of message and they are not as interested in evangelism...certainly not all but many! 2.Even though we go only asking for love offerings.....churches feel that they can't afford to bring someone in. 3. You are dead on with a few making a bad name for many. In our case even with the full support and personal recommendation of the President of the SBC churches and pastors are unsure of Eric because they do not know him. This we DO know...GOD called Eric. Our mentor and friend Bill Stafford told us early on, "be available and abandoned," that is exactly what we will strive for! My husband surrendered to the ministry later than usual…he was 41….he quit his corporate job and jumped enthusiastically into full time ministry. He was and still is so excited to share his testimony and many come to Christ when he speaks. We have the full support of our pastor and friend, Johnny Hunt. We are quite busy here in our hometown with a door to mentor young men here locally and while I agree with all the things that you wrote…the obstacles that we have encountered are 1.There are many churches that are pushing a watered down…make everyone “feel good” type of message and they are not as interested in evangelism…certainly not all but many! 2.Even though we go only asking for love offerings…..churches feel that they can’t afford to bring someone in. 3. You are dead on with a few making a bad name for many. In our case even with the full support and personal recommendation of the President of the SBC churches and pastors are unsure of Eric because they do not know him.

This we DO know…GOD called Eric. Our mentor and friend Bill Stafford told us early on, “be available and abandoned,” that is exactly what we will strive for!

]]> By: AM http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6111 AM Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:34:46 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6111 Also, there has been a innovation modification for everything in the Kingdom. Instead of "Vocational Evangelist" we use names such as, but not limited to: postmodern communicator, speaker, youth strategist, communicator, etc. When in all reality, they are fulfilling a lot of the expectations of an evangelist. The reason for renaming may be because of the connotations applied to "evangelist". Just a thought though. Also, there has been a innovation modification for everything in the Kingdom. Instead of “Vocational Evangelist” we use names such as, but not limited to: postmodern communicator, speaker, youth strategist, communicator, etc. When in all reality, they are fulfilling a lot of the expectations of an evangelist.
The reason for renaming may be because of the connotations applied to “evangelist”. Just a thought though.

]]> By: clayton king http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6110 clayton king Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:48:23 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6110 I commend you for even bringing up the issue at all. Believe it or not, I sensed a calling to preach at age 14, and began preaching in 8th grade as God opened doors. Immediately, my pastor, parents, and church affirmed to me that God had gifted me as an evangelist. He has continued to open doors for 23 years, and now at age 37, I am still proclaiming the gospel, as a servant to the local church and to Christ. Ironically, I am seeing a "fresh crop" of young men who feel gifted as evangelists and will begin a year long mentoring network of 12 guys this spring. There is little to no practical or spiritual guidance available for one who does sense a gifting and calling to itinerant ministry. I pray, by God's grace, that our ministry and my experience might turn the tide and help equip at least a dozen to do it right. Thank you for giving this issue a platform. Clayton King www.crossroadsworldwide.com www.claytonking.com www.newspring.cc I commend you for even bringing up the issue at all. Believe it or not, I sensed a calling to preach at age 14, and began preaching in 8th grade as God opened doors. Immediately, my pastor, parents, and church affirmed to me that God had gifted me as an evangelist. He has continued to open doors for 23 years, and now at age 37, I am still proclaiming the gospel, as a servant to the local church and to Christ. Ironically, I am seeing a “fresh crop” of young men who feel gifted as evangelists and will begin a year long mentoring network of 12 guys this spring. There is little to no practical or spiritual guidance available for one who does sense a gifting and calling to itinerant ministry. I pray, by God’s grace, that our ministry and my experience might turn the tide and help equip at least a dozen to do it right. Thank you for giving this issue a platform.

Clayton King
http://www.crossroadsworldwide.com
http://www.claytonking.com
http://www.newspring.cc

]]> By: Brian http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2010/03/08/why-is-vocational-evangelism-on-the-decline/#comment-6109 Brian Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:19:48 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/?p=4412#comment-6109 Treven, this isn't just an SBC issue but you raise many good possibilites as to what the problem is. Treven, this isn’t just an SBC issue but you raise many good possibilites as to what the problem is.

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