A Different Kind of Evangelism

Jan 15th  |  The Reverend Kevin Scott Fleming |  John 1:43-51

            If you want to make Presbyterians squirm, just say the word “evangelism.”   See what happened?  You had an immediate reaction to that word.  For some of you, that word conjures up memories of such a disturbing nature that, if you weren’t in church, you’d probably be checking your smart phone for an app to pass the next fourteen minutes.  For others, that word reminds us of feelings of judgment and superiority that we distain. 

            It’s a funny thing.  The word “evangelism” is a direct transliteration of the Greek word evangelion, which we translate in English as “gospel” or “good news.”  Somehow in our zeal, we have transformed the “good news” into “bad news” for far too many. 

            In the Presbyterian Church, whenever we go about the business of electing a moderator for our General Assembly, we parade a group of candidates before the Assembly and ask them questions.  Invariably, one of the questions has to do with evangelism and the candidates come with a well-honed answer to the question.  I remember one candidate for the office who gave a real rowser of a response, though I had to laugh, because his church hadn’t grown in years and is, this day, a shadow of what it once was.

            The truth is that, as a denomination, we’re not all that different from our leaders.  We talk a great game of evangelism.  But, put us on the field and we hardly ever perform to expectations. 

            Why is that?  Why do we seem to be such failures at the business of evangelism?  Why do we stumble so magnificently when it comes to sharing our faith in God through Jesus Christ?

            Part of the reason we have such a hard time with evangelism is that our view and understanding of God has failed to keep up with everything else we have learned and discovered.  Too often we fall into the trap of “God is up there and we are down here” thinking.  God is up there, distant and removed.  We are down here, slinking about in the muck and mire of sin and there is nothing good in us.  In order to make reparation, we needed to offer God something – but we had nothing suitable to offer.  So, God sent a perfect sacrifice into the world to make reparation on our behalf and until we personally accept that perfect sacrifice for ourselves, we continue to wallow in the muck and mire of sin and there is nothing good in us.  And, if we do not accept that perfect sacrifice for ourselves and we die – we will go to hell. 

            That’s how we’ve talked about Christianity for the past century or so, under the influence and domination of fundamentalism and evangelicalism.  The old view of evangelism, that is the sharing of faith, has everything to do with convicting people of their sin and saving them from certain condemnation.  The substitutionary theory of atonement is the only way that the death of Jesus Christ can be described, being one of the five fundamentals of fundamentalism. 

            This view of Christianity has lead to the kind of evangelism with which many of us are familiar – a kind of evangelism that is at home with the question, “If you were to die tonight, do you know where you would spend eternity?”  That kind of evangelism is not unlike selling fire insurance.  It is based in fear – grounded in the greatest of all fears – death.  The reason for being a Christian is so that you won’t die and burn.  I was once driving to a college job in Hubbard, Ohio, when I realized what the advertisement on the truck in front of me said.  In bold letters it said, “Calvin Fire Protection Company.”  I had to laugh.  That’s what many Presbyterians think they belong to! 

            That old kind of evangelism, to which so many of us have such a visceral reaction, is based in fear, worry, and anxiety.  It portrays God as ruthless and vindictive and waiting to send us away.  That kind of evangelism is all about judgment and fault-finding.  That kind of evangelism makes the “good news” for all into the “bad news” for some.  It says that this life has little meaning, other than to make preparation for the life to come. 

            If that’s the way we’re going to define evangelism, put me down in the “no thank you” column, too. 

            But what if there was a different way of viewing evangelism?  What if there was a way of looking at evangelism in a positive light?  What if there was a kind of evangelism that made a difference here-and-now, instead of being entirely focused on the life to come?  And what if there was a way of doing evangelism that reflected the biblical view that “God is love?”  Could such a way of evangelism really exist and, if it could, could it really do what evangelism is supposed to do?

            Let’s consider the story of Jesus calling disciples that we read from the Gospel of John.  Jesus called Philip, without fear or guilt.  Jesus said to Philip, “Follow me.”  That was it.  “If you want to find out what I’m all about, join me on the journey.”  Now, the gospel account doesn’t say how long it took, but after traveling with Jesus for a while, Philip goes talking to his friend Nathanael.  In that one-on-one sharing, that happens naturally between friends, Philip starts talking about this teacher he’s been following. 

            John doesn’t tell us exactly what Philip says, but he tells Nathanael that Jesus seems to be the kind of person Moses and the prophets talked about – a man who lived as God intends for us to live.  This Jesus seems to be anointed of God – to have a special connection with God.  This Jesus seems to make sense of life and makes life better than it was. 

            Nathanael’s interested, but almost loses interest when he learns that Jesus is from Nazareth.  “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” he asks.  Nathanael was evidently a cosmopolitan kind of fellow – preferring to think that the greatest people come from big cities instead of small towns.  Our friend Forrest Orr grew up in Boogerville, Illinois.  I once teased him, “Can anything good come from Boogerville?”  Oh, yes, it can, and amazing people can emerge from small towns and hamlets, because they do so every day.

            Then, Philip did something that made the difference.  Philip answered Nathanael’s question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” with an invitation: “Come and see.”  Nathanael’s initial interest is encouraged by one who had already passed that way.  The personal invitation – offered with enthusiasm and conviction – opened the door for Nathanael and has opened the door for millions ever since. 

            That’s the beginning of a new kind of evangelism: a personal invitation offered with enthusiasm and conviction.  It’s all about making this life better and isn’t overly concerned about the next life.  It sees God as loving, compassionate, benevolent, and wanting the best for us.  It shares Jesus as a model for this new way of life and living.  It is an invitation that is offered by people who have experienced the joy of discipleship for themselves and believe that it can make a difference in the lives of others.

            This new and different kind of evangelism sees that Jesus makes a difference in human life here-and-now.  This understanding of evangelism is grounded in the belief that God is not out to get us, but that God wants the best for us and wants life to be the gift that God intended it to be.  This new and different kind of evangelism is built on the foundational belief that God’s love is the only constant in the universe. 

            This new and different kind of evangelism offers

                        hope to those who despair,

                        comfort to those in pain,

                        purpose to those who’ve lost their focus,

                        meaning to those who feel unimportant,

                        peace to those in the throws of chaos,

                        understanding to those swallowed up by indifference,

                        and joy to those who have abandoned all hope of happiness.

This new evangelism is grounded in real life – here-and-now life – everyday life.  This new evangelism is rooted in the conviction that each one of us, who have tasted the new life God offers, can share the invitation to “come and see.”  This new evangelism is absolutely certain that life here-and-now is a great and glorious gift. 

            The good news ought to be good news for everybody.  Whenever we make the good news into bad news, we disfigure God and hide God from the world.  When we share the good news and keep it as good news, we reflect the love of God into the world.  It’s just that simple. 

            This is the season of Epiphany – a word that means “manifestation” or “showing forth.”  This is a time of the year when we are especially in tune with showing God to the world, even as God showed us a little more of who God is, in the birth of Jesus.  This is a time of year when we are a little more in tune with seeing God all around us. 

            That’s really what discipleship is all about – seeing God all around us and intentionally choosing to be a part of all that.  Discipleship is all about following where Jesus leads – of bringing his teachings to life – of trusting in God enough to know that all will be well.  Discipleship is discovering a life you always thought was possible, but could never seem to find. 

            A different kind of evangelism begins with making that discovery for yourself and then sharing your story with someone else.  No fear.  No guilt.  No judgment.  This different kind of evangelism happens when heart speaks to heart.

            The world needs that kind of evangelism and the world will respond to that kind of evangelism.  It’s good news!  It’s all about what God is doing here-and-now!  It’s all about love and acceptance and partnership!  And it’s about now and forever more.  Amen.