Saturation Evangelism Evangelism

The term "evangelism" is derived from the Greek concept of "euangelizomai" that means to give good news. Evangelism can be described as communicating the Good News that not only the death but also burial as well as resurrection of Jesus Christ defeated sin. Sin alienates us from God, the Supreme Being. The Good News in this case happens to be that we could gain back our relationship with God as well as be guaranteed an everlasting life with Jesus in the Heavens Above when we place our trust in Jesus. This particular gift of an everlasting association with God is available for all ... but not all have received this message and this makes evangelism very significant. At times, the crowds happen to be huge, like Billy Graham's ministry. However, God provides the evangelists with a crowd of just one[footnoteRef:1]. Back during 1893, Helen Cadbury knew just how empowering it is to share this Good News, so much that she arranged a faction of women to sew pouches in their clothes and take with them, copies of bible, so as to spread this Good News. This had been the start of "The Pocket Testament League." Due to the vision of Helen about personal evangelism, one hundred million pocket-sized Gospels have been shared by Pocket Testament League members. In the last words of Christ, prior to ascending towards Heaven, he ordered his disciples to share the Good News with the world. All believers should participate in communicating this Good News and creation of new disciples. Evangelism, however, does not always come effortlessly. It takes preparation and courage. The "Pocket Testament League" provides a collection of resources not only to assist you develop your understanding, but also to get you ready with resources to share this Good News. [1: Evangelism Definition]

Most of the evangelism here in the U.S. was established in a context of Christendom, whereby almost everyone was aware of the basic information regarding Christianity and were favorably disposed to it. Evangelism made individuals act on what they were already familiar with, in a sense, already passively trusted. You could call individuals to commitment somewhat faster. You could also apply pretty forceful convincing methods. Dealing with post-moderns entails handling individuals that are not familiar with the basics of Christianity[footnoteRef:2]. They actually have a negative perspective regarding Christianity. Hence, it does not make any sense, if they come on very strong and quickly ask for a commitment. We ought to count conversations, instead of conversions. When majority of individuals think about evangelism, the term "arguments" surfaces; arguments regarding Christ's existence, regarding Christ's uniqueness, regarding the Bible's inspiration and so much more. For postmodern individuals, anything put forward as an argument is less convincing, given that arguments imply a message of conquest, instead of a message of peace. Post-moderns are quite offended by ads and political messages, that, for a message to be significant and real, it should come in a form other than an argument. [2: Christianity Today (2001)]

We have also become good at boiling the Good News into tiny four-step outlines. Modern individuals have a liking for diagrams. However, they feel that the truth comes as a tale, a work of art, and a mystery. This compels us to question if we have a clear comprehension of what the gospel entails. If, for several decades, we have turned the gospel into a chain of argument or a problem-solution approach, we need to ask how that might have altered our understanding of the Good News2. In numerous ways, the modern evangelical gospel is a message regarding how not to end up in hell. When you a take a step back and ask if that is truly the gospel from Christ's point-of-view, it is pretty difficult to answer yes. When Christ speaks of the gospel, he speaks of God's kingdom. That presents a whole realm of questions, which are more significant.

Efforts Seen in Layers

In accordance to John Scott, social action is not viewed as a path to evangelism, instead as a demonstration of evangelism. In this particular scenario, sympathy is not artificially connected to evangelism, from the outside, but develops from its natural expression. Social action is the sacrament of evangelism since it makes the message considerably visible. Evangelism and missions takes you deeper in thought as you turn onto the hands, feet, and mouth of Christ in the world[footnoteRef:3]. Scott agreed that social action is evangelism's partner. He explained that as a partner, the two belonged to one another, yet independent...

Each could stand on its own right, beside one another. Each is an end in itself. Both are manifestations of true love. [3: James (2015)]
A careful research on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ discloses that evangelism and social action could be compared to two sides of a coin. They are two aspects of the Christian faith. In accordance to the Random house dictionary, team work is a coordinated or cooperative effort on the part of a group of individuals, working together as a team or in the interest of Common cause2. The American heritage dictionary views evangelism as passionate preaching and spreading of the gospel, via missionary work or Militant passion for a cause. As we observe team work, we shall realize that team work is important in the life of evangelism. A team permits us to touch the untouchable and get to the unreachable; like William Booth says, put your ears down to the Bible, and hear him bid you, go and pull sinners from the fire of sin. Put your ears down to the worried and burdened heart of humankind; and listen to its pitiful cry for help. As one source put forward, we should go and stand by the gates of hell, and listen to the ruined beg you to go to their father's house and bid their servants and masters, and brothers and sisters not to go there. Similar to business, politics, or any other undertaking, team work is simply that2. Teamwork is important for accomplishing the goals set by the body of individuals, offering public service. Members of a team behave like a properly oiled machine. Another vital facet of politics or business is collecting individuals of different specialties. The team shall have sub-teams whereby different members manage varying aspects of the goals to be attained. These sub-teams then report back their finding to the main team for a deduction to be made by the entire team. For effectual functioning of a team, the talents of every individual should be used.

21st Century Opportunities

Personal evangelism is the most appropriate way of reaching individuals in an isolated community. The focus can no longer be upheld by the evangelist, since he is most probably one of the least entangled individuals in the community and for whom there are more boundaries raised. Individuals have been "sold things" to death, however, they are still willing to learn about new things from their friends, family, as well as associates that have vested concern in whatever they are promoting[footnoteRef:4]. Majority have realized success in applying the tools of isolation, however, the majority are truly successful when they present the appearance of crashing that isolating obstacle. [4: Evangelism in the 21st Century (2): Isolationism and Community]

Evangelism opportunities over the internet are nearly endless. For instance, individuals around the world with access to the internet have the chance of viewing the 46th Annual Memphis School of Preaching Lectureship through the OABS website. The Apologetics Press website has video and audio files that could be accessed by teachers and students all over the world, educating them on God's truth in the Bible, opposing humanist teachings in our nation's public school libraries, like atheism and evolution[footnoteRef:5]. Whereas we can reach more individuals through technology and the internet, its disadvantage is that we lose the personal aspect of one-on-one dealings with individuals. Sharon Jayson, the author of USA Today: Human Behavior and Relationship, looks at the likelihood of overusing technology to the elimination of direct interactions with individuals. Gary Small, a brain researcher at the University of California-Los Angles, not long ago, made a comment about hand-held computers. He said that hand-held computers provide us with opportunities of improving our lives and at the same time, opportunities of disrupting our usual lives. [5: Riley ]

The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes advises us not to go to the very extremes, and such is the scenario concerning our application of technology in spreading the Good News4. The one-on-one technique of teaching, which was utilized by Jesus Christ during his time on earth is still the most effectual means of evangelism that we currently have. Applying the technology devices that we have at our disposal in an intelligent way could, however, improve our one-on-one efforts of teaching.

All pastors as well as other church staff workers needs to be educated about biblical facts. Theology has also been a major discipline. No traditional subject needs to be abandoned, nor practical subjects similar to evangelism, missions or…