Andrew King and Trevor Dickerson in conversation about evangelism
In the October edition of en last year, one of us (Andrew) wrote an article outlining an outreach approach based on posting punchy postcards around his church neighbourhood.
In the November edition, the other of us (Trevor) wrote a letter of response concerned about this approach as it lacked initial face-to-face contact and seemed to be driven by fear. In February this year we got to meet each other to talk and listen to where each of us was ‘coming from’. Whilst we agreed on the need to focus locally over the longer term, our differences were on how to select which method(s) to use. In the end, we seemed to agree on the following four things:–
1. Never say ‘Never’
If you have been involved in any sort of outreach or evangelism you may well have your own horror stories, or tales of zero interest. Yet most of us, when we fall off our bikes, realise that ‘practice makes perfect’. Perhaps you have been tempted to vow never to do this or that again. After all, it just doesn’t work in our day and age in our area, does it? But perhaps you just need more training? Perhaps the place where you now serve is better suited to that kind of approach. Of course that doesn’t mean we must continue, but we are unwise to say ‘never again’ and spread our gloom onto others! It could be that you are driven by a fear of failure or even a fear of verbal attack. But perhaps you should just try it again?
2. Beware universalising
Just because you are all-fired-up about one method of outreach or evangelism doesn’t make that a universal requirement for everyone else. If we are ‘gifted and good at it’ this can lead to pride in us and false guilt in those who aren’t! Yes, certain individuals may be gifted as more public evangelists, but do take care not to scare off new or nervous Christians by suggesting that only the more direct and stranger-focused methods should be used. Why do you prefer and promote a particular approach? While all Christians are called to be ready to give a reason for the hope within them (1 Peter 3.15), they are not all called to preach in the open air, or ‘go door-to-door’ or speak to random strangers! We need to be careful not to become a sponsor just for our preferred approach!
3. Contextualise inside and out
Knowing your local context – both inside and outside your church – matters hugely. You know the people in your church and their gifts. You also know the typical makeup of the people in your neighbourhood and where best to pitch your starting point. Some of you may rightly judge that you can use more direct and upfront methods; but others may rightly judge that your team is young and nervous and/or that the soil around you is very hard. You may therefore start with a more indirect and general approach.
Do experiment with different ideas, but do also have the courage to stick with what works best in your local context.
4. Rethink success
Who hasn’t got a ‘success story’ to tell about a particular method of outreach or evangelism? Clearly then, the Lord uses a variety of ways in his sovereign purposes. But, if we consider ‘success’ in proportion to leaflets delivered, or doors knocked, or people walking by, we will probably realise that all approaches yield a very small crop. Of course, that doesn’t mean we don’t continue, but perhaps we ought to be less quick to claim success for one method over others.
An advantage of direct methods is that we can more clearly see any response. But an advantage of indirect methods is to allow for a gentle drip drip approach over a longer time. So which is more successful? Perhaps the better questions to ask are: 1. Which methods engage more Christians in church-wide outreach and evangelism? and 2. Which methods lead to more non-Christians receiving a clear understanding of the message of the gospel?
We greatly enjoyed our discussion. Above all, our desire is that the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed in a variety of ways and that the Holy Spirit uses them to convert sinners into disciples to the glory of God.
