For many of us our ideas about evangelism have been influenced by years of negative or awkward experiences. These experiences have left us feeling 'burned out' in evangelism. This is not how it was supposed to be! However, much of the 'sting' in evangelism can be removed when we get the theology right to begin with!

Many of us who have been brought up in the Evangelical/Charismatic world see evangelism as a 'reaping only' model. In other words Christian X talks to non-Christian Y about God and then a few minutes later non-Christian Y prays the prayer. Sometimes, praise God, this is how a new Christian is born. However, most of the time it leads to trauma; trauma for the Christian and trauma for the victim. As the author of 'Out of the salt shaker' said 'Christians and non-Christians have one thing in common: they both hate evangelism.' This is such a pity! We have so much to give!

We need to understand that the trauma has been caused by trying to reap fruit from a plant that has not yet even grown - often not even a seed has been planted! It is like asking a five-year-old child to pass 'A' level maths!

In Mark 4 Vs 26-29 (see page 1) Jesus reveals this truth to us in the parable of the growing seed. In this passage we see that evangelism is a process. A seed is sown and then all by itself it produces fruit. There are a number of important points to note from this passage:

'A man scatters' Vs 26
It didn't take the man in this passage ten years of prayer and fasting to decide where to plant his one seed. No! We have so much seed that we can scatter it everywhere, thickly, thinly, indiscriminately, extravagantly.

'Whether he sleeps or gets up...all by itself' Vs 28
If we sow seeds in the Kingdom then we don't need to worry whether they will grow or not. We have a promise to rest on - they will grow, all by themselves. This takes the burden out of evangelism; it is Gods work not ours.

'As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it because the harvest has come.' Vs 29
When we allow a person to go through this process of having the Kingdom 'birthed' within them then the fruit will come of its own accord. This experience is in stark contrast to those times when we try to wrench out the new-born prematurely!

RISK - All evangelism harbors a risk of some sort. In Luke 14:28-33 Jesus tells the crowds two parables about the wisdom of counting the cost. We need to think about the risks involved in reaching the lost. This is not to create excuses for avoiding evangelism, but so we realize what we are getting ourselves into. Some of the risks to consider are mentioned below.

Relational - What will be the impact of a project on your relationships with those in your group? A badly planned project that pushes your group beyond its ability, will more than likely put them off evangelism, damage your relationship with them, and your credibility as a leader.

Financial -Things have a habit of costing more than expected. Many Radical Pursuit projects are cheap and easy but bigger projects can get more expensive. Working out as accurately as you can the cost of a project before it starts, will help you to decide whether the project is viable, and save you the embarrassment of having to ask people for more money after the project is finished.

Emotional - Interacting with strangers even when its just to offer them a free can of coke, can be difficult and draining. That's why we need to take it easy and not do too much in one go.

Spiritual - In trying to win the lost for Christ we walk straight into enemy held territory. Satan hates it when we preach the gospel, and will try to prevent us bringing light to those he holds in darkness. The main examples of spiritual attack we have experienced are illness, and the difficulties met whilst setting up a project. For this reason we must clothe ourselves in prayer, before during and after a project.

All this talk of cost and risk may be painting a bleak picture of evangelism. However we need to balance them with the immeasurable grace of God.

'God, who has called us into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful' 1 Cor 1: 9

We must remember that God actually wants us to seek the lost. He desires that all enter into fellowship with his son. Because he is God we know that he is faithful and trustworthy. He would not ask his children to do something if he didn't supply them with what they needed to achieve it. When we realise that all the necessary resources of heaven and earth are available to us, we realise that our assets vastly outstrip our costs.

GRACE - It is God who changes people's heart, we utterly need him if our work is to be fruitful. As a result any evangelism technique that hardly requires God to turn up will only lead to discouragement, burnout, skepticism and failure. Often it will also be another bad experience for those we are trying to reach. However when we do evangelism that places all the burden for 'success' on God, then we are freed to do our bit; preach the Good News, and to let God do his bit; change people's lives.

Serving
Luke 22:37 - Jesus came as a servant
Philippians 2:1 - Humility
Luke 10:27 - Love your neighbour

The process of Evangelism
Mark 4:26 - sowing seeds
1 Corinthians 3:6 - the process: planting, watering, growing
John 6:44 - the Father's work

Good Works
Roman 2:4 - Kindness
Galatians 5:2 - Fruit of the Spirit
Ephesians 2:8-10 - Grace and Good Works

Jesus was concerned about people's physical needs
Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding of the 5000
John 2:1-11 - Wedding at Cana

Where to go...