Which "One" to Reach One?: Various Types of Evangelism

Posted by Ace McClinton

Evangelism appears to follow seven kinds of growth patterns: internal growth, external or numerical growth, biological growth, conversion growth, transfer growth, extension growth, and expansion growth.  Among these kinds of growth patterns there are nine types of evangelism: personal evangelism, crusade evangelism, mass (media) evangelism, saturation evangelism, super aggressive evangelism, life-style of evangelism, busing evangelism, front-door, side-door, and Oikos evangelism.
Each type of evangelism has its own merits, while some have more obvious weaknesses than other types.  Personal evangelism is the sharing of the gospel by one individual to another.  This type of evangelism is needed and should be practiced by those who follow Christ as this was Jesus’ example in his ministry (e.g., Nicodemus, woman at the well).  However, personal evangelism was not the only type of evangelism practiced by Jesus.  Crusade evangelism is a broader effort intended to reach a wider geography and range of people.  Jesus demonstrates this type of evangelism in Mark 1:38 by directing his disciples to go to other nearby villages so that he could preach.  Mass (media) evangelism incorporates other media besides the voice of the preacher.  This can range from electronic media, such as the Internet or e-mail to visual media, like billboards, signs, mailings, or brochures.  Announcements also fall under the umbrella of media evangelism, such as radio, television or in the case of Jesus – other disciples (Luke 9:52).  Saturation evangelism is an effort to use all means to reach the unsaved.  An example of this is found in Acts 5:28 – a passage that could rightly be titled “Operation: Saturation.”  Paul’s intent was to win as many as possible.  The question becomes, “What is possible?”  If saturation evangelism reveals the possibilities in evangelism, it may then be perceived as a method to utilize in order to know what limits exists.  The fifth type of evangelism is called super-aggressive evangelism.  Super-aggressive evangelism differs from saturation evangelism in the way the process is gone about.  Saturation evangelism uses every mean, while super-aggressive evangelism uses every “ounce” – that is it uses effort versus tact.  Life-style of evangelism is a type of evangelism that attempts to lead others to Christ through a process that allows others to see the gospel lived out so that the meaning of the gospel’s message is not lost by proclamation alone.  This method of evangelism may be susceptible to a quieting of the voice of the gospel.  It raises questions as to how long a person should wait for the “event” to happen that opens the door to the spoken gospel.  It clearly has its strengths as even 1 Timothy 4:16 supports; however its weaknesses are also obvious.  Busing evangelism was a booming method in the early 70s and was useful for bringing in children and excitement.  It was also a facilitator of side-door evangelism.  Front-door evangelism or event evangelism incorporated an invitation or event that would have the effect of drawing people to the “front door” of the church.  Side-door evangelism incorporates organizations, relationships, service, recreation, Bible study, and life-style evangelism.  Oikos evangelism derives its name from “house and household” found 62 times in the New Testament in connection with evangelism.  The methodology is centered on reaching groups of people who are socially connected.  It is designed to focus on those who are most receptive and is intended to provide adequate time to plant and water.
Although there are choices that may be more appropriate for a general approach to evangelism, not every method will work in every situation or environment.  As Jesus used multiple methods of evangelism, including the Oikos type, so we will find different methods working for different situations. 
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First for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Posted by Ace McClinton

Jesus was known for his routine. My goal for this year is to be known by what I do every day. My daily efforts will consist of going out to meet, study, win and baptize someone into Christ. My efforts won't end there because Jesus calls us to train them as well - this is called Discipleship.

My approach will be the same as Jesus and Paul. Jesus and both Paul were written to have such a consistent way of reaching the lost that it became known as there custom. It was Jesus' custom to teach in the synagogues as it was Paul's to teach in the market places as well as the synagogues .

"He [Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:


"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:16-19 NIV'84)

Jesus was also known for starting with the Jewish people first and then the Gentile people. Even Paul writes the same in Romans, "first for the Jews, then for the Gentiles."

I won't get into a long dissertation regarding replacement theology or supersessionism, but I will just say that God's intent was always for the redemption of his people Israel first.  We, as Gentiles, are the beneficiaries of God's overflowing grace that extends to all nations.  We are all now one in Christ and we are not the replacement that God chose in place of the people of Israel.

Additionally, I just read and recommend a book, Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament, and was very encouraged by the insight of the author.  As disciples, Christians, Gentile believers, we have to let go of the theology that everyone needs the gospel, but maybe the Jewish people are an exception because there may be some left over covenant grace from God.  If there was still a covenant that could save the Jewish people, then Jesus would have not stressed the importance of the New Covenant.  We are heirs of this New Covenant and just as Paul says, "those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (1 Cor. 4.2)  Many of us probably don't think of ourselves as stepchildren of God, but that is exactly what we are.  We most likely don't feel this way because God's love for us is so complete.  However, humility demands that we not think of ourselves more highly than we ought.  We are the unnatural branches that have been grafted in and we should rejoice at the love of God, but also tremble at his sternness. 

Therefore, my efforts will focus in a similar fashion.  I will seek those who God will have me seek as one who has been given a trust.  I will pursue the lost with the same passion and concern of Jesus.  Otherwise we are gaining followers for ourselves, and not for Christ.  My efforts will undoubtedly include those who have wandered from the faith - and yes I will also go after those who have never had faith at all.

YPG,

Ace
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Disciples Are Made, Not Born.

Posted by Ace McClinton
"Go and make disciples." Matthew 28:19

Surprisingly to most people, I was not born a fired-up, zealous, sold-out disciple of Jesus. Nearly 16 years ago I was sought, profiled, pursued, outwitted, outmanned, overwhelmed and accepted for all my failings and shortcomings. There were several people who were instrumental in my conversion. First, God used my Aunt as a planter who invited me to a church service, and then some more planting happened during the service. I was moved to begin some sober analysis about my life and future.


Next, God introduced Keith who became my non-stop discipleship partner and taught me scripture day after day for four days straight. By the end of these four days I had been impacted through Bible study by over five different Christians who impacted my life in some way. But it didn't stop there. There were literally hundreds of disciples that encouraged my journey through a card, a word of encouragement, a greeting, a sincere inquiry, a meal or hug.

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God Still Desires a Harvest

Posted by Ace McClinton

Again, I am challenging myself to a new year-long goal to reach one soul this year (2011). So as I begin this year's effort I strongly encourage you to join in this journey with me, especially if you have been following for any short amount of time. Discouragement is a tool of Satan to get you to give up on your goals and dreams. There is no other accomplishment in the world that is more fulfilling than leading a soul to Christ. It is the most significant thing we can do with our lives and with our time.


Since a lot can get lost in a year, I thought it best to restate the goals in detail that I wrote last year:

THE GOAL

The goal I've set for myself and for anyone joining is to reach one lost soul in 2011. In a real sense it is like each and every Christian reaching one person - "each one reach one." Imagine if every Christian made it a personal goal to reach one person for Christ. This is a real challenge even to the mega church of 25,000 that boast 5,000 baptisms in a year. Why not 25,000 baptisms in a year?

 
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Season 2

Posted by Ace McClinton

This year will be slightly different than 2010.  Though I will probably have daily activity to write about, it was becoming more work to write than to reach.  As a result, I thought it best to constrain this year's writing to once a week.  Also, this year will be confined to a season rather than the entire year.  Most of my dedicated work began in the spring.  Though there was significant work in the Winter and Fall (of which two baptisms occurred), I want to use the time I spend not writing more effectively.  I appreciate all those who followed last year and I hope to see you all again this year.  God bless and to him be the glory!
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Day 365: The Harvest is Past, the Summer Has Ended, and We are Saved!

Posted by Ace McClinton
"I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." – John 4:38

"We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man's territory." – 1 Corinthians 10:14-16.

In the beginning of the year I wrote an article with the title "The Harvest is Past, the Summer Has Ended and We are Not Saved." This title comes from the passage found in Jeremiah 8:20. This article was a humbling reminder showing me the urgency of being a worker in God's harvest and just how much God desires a harvest. For the first time I could hear the formerly muted voices of those left to wither in the harvest field. God desires a harvest because the workers are few. That means the harvest is more work than there are workers. God desires a harvest because the harvest is plentiful. God desires a harvest because God desires that everyone be saved.

Can we truly boast about the work we do in the harvest field? According to Paul, he says we do not boast about work done by others. And according to Jesus we are reaping the benefits of the hard work of someone else's labor. Even Jesus says we should have this attitude: "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" – Luke 17:10. There is no boasting in doing the work of God. We are only doing what we were told to do in the first place.

I can recall a conversation with a friend and remember him telling me he was impressed with my persistence in going on campus and having Bible studies with the students there. I asked him if he would be equally impressed if I only showed up to work once a week. It is amazing how different our work ethics are when it comes to our worldly pursuits and our godly pursuits. If we put the same efforts toward our secular jobs as we do toward our divine purpose, we would be summarily fired. Jesus tells us "where our treasure is, our hearts will be also." If our treasure is the income we receive from our secular jobs, then our hearts will be devoted more to it. However, if we realize the true treasure waiting for us, then our hearts would be devoted more to building that treasure.

There were many wise words I thought I would say at the end of this journey (though really just the beginning); however as I think of what to say in the last article of this year I want to express more of an urgency to join the work. If 2010 for you was more like my 2009, then I urge you to become a worker. Make it your goal to reach one person for Christ in 2011. Stay focused on your goal and get the help and encouragement you need while being equally encouraging to others.

I thought the words from a book don't waste your life would be fitting here, "It's easy to slip through life without taking any risks – without making your life count. But life ought not be wasted. You don't need to know a lot of things to make a lasting difference in the world, but you do have to know the few, great, unchanging, and glorious things that matter and be willing to live and to die for them."

Are you willing to make a lasting difference in someone's life this upcoming year? If so, then I'll see you on the battlefield.



YPG
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Day 364: Fruit Bearing Fruit

Posted by Ace McClinton
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." – Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV 2010).

On Day 357, December 23, 2010, at approximately 11:45PM Teddy baptized his best friend Luis into Christ.

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us." – 2 John 1:4. Even though John is most likely speaking of the disciples' physical children, the joy of seeing spiritual "children" baptize another disciple into Christ is just as great. I was truly overjoyed to get the call from Teddy that Luis was ready to get baptized. I had my reservations and Teddy recognized my reluctance. We had done several studies with Luis and though I could see some lights go off, I was not completely certain that he was truly ready.

After concluding our last study I told Teddy to do some more Bible study with Luis to help his faith. I get a call from Teddy later that same evening excited about baptizing Luis. I expressed my concerns and stressed patience and caution. Teddy persuaded me by telling me that he and Luis had been best friends for some time and that he knew that he had changed. Though not entirely convinced, Teddy finished by telling me if Luis had not truly become a disciple, then we would simply "dunk" him again. At this point I was on board and I began planning to meet them. Teddy had put a plan in motion to get temporary free passes at a fitness club. We all meet at the fitness club around 11:15 PM. After changing in the locker rooms, Teddy and Luis headed to the pool area. For the most part the fitness club was empty. There were only four or five men in the heated smaller pool. I suggested Luis getting baptized there. Teddy declined. I could see the joy and zeal in Teddy's eyes and he wanted Luis to experience some frigid water, much like he himself had endured. They both went down into the water and Teddy asked those familiar questions. "Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? That he lived a sinless life, died and rose on the third day?" Luis replied, "I do," as a bride being prepared for her groom – that is Christ and the church. And with those words Teddy baptized Luis ushering him into the kingdom of God. Luis was fired up, his sins were forgiven and he was now sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. The other men there also burst into applause as we celebrated this new life in Christ.

Both of these brothers are doing well and are already eagerly pursuing more studies with others in order to bring many to the faith. This moment truly left me encouraged as I did not simply want to baptize someone into Christ, but baptize a disciple into Christ who would then be able to make other disciples. Here I was able to witness in such a short time this disciple baptizing another disciple into Christ. Greater things are truly yet to come in this city.



YPG
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