How to Evangelize in the Modern World if You Are a Minister

Travis Collins finds in his study of the Declaration of Ibadan that missions and national churches can partner effectively to establish a level of world evangelization that can fulfill the target objectives and aims of successful saturation evangelism. The study examines the relationship between the missions and the unions, which function together to establish the "role of the mission, joint decision making" and personnel deployment.[footnoteRef:1] This source is relevant to the thesis of this study because it highlights some possible strategies that missions and national churches can coordinate between themselves in order to better effect the level of saturation evangelism that they strive to maintain. The idea behind the strategy is that the network of churches can support the needs of the missions and that the missions in turn can reach and attract otherwise hard-to-reach persons and bring them into the fold of the national churches, whereby they can grow the support network, which in turn can facilitate the missions. Thus it is a mutually beneficial system. [1: Collins, T. "Missions and Churches in Partnership for Evangelism: A Study of the Declaration of Ibadan." Missiology. Vo. 23 No. 3 (July 1995), 331.]

Likwise, Jackson Wu's study on evangelism finds that biblical exegesis must be linked to missions and their methods. The two are, in other words, not exclusive but rather inclusive. Wu's qualitative assessment of biblical scholarship finds that Sacred Scripture does not support a notion of having just a policy of establishing churches but rather than the missionary spirit is what compels the churches to grow and, similarly to what Collins finds, the two -- the churches and the missions -- feed one another, both of which are fostered by the spirit of saturation evangelism. Therefore, the study by Wu is relevant to this thesis because it signifies how the Bible itself supports a framework of saturation evangelism through the linkage of churches established by the various missionaries and the fostering of new missionaries from within those established communities, which then send forth more disciples to spread the evangel.[footnoteRef:2] [2: Jackson Wu, "There are No Church Planting Movements in the Bible: Why Biblical Exegesis and Missiological Methods Cannot be Separated," Global Missiology English, vol. 1, no. 12 (2014), 1.]

Ed Matthews provides a study of the effects of "mass evangelism" and finds that "many people have been brought to a saving faith" by way of mass evangelism.[footnoteRef:3] His findings support the ideas of ministers like Jerry Falwell. Indeed, it is the claim of Matthews that mass evangelism is what "gave birth to the New Testament."[footnoteRef:4] Yet one of the drawbacks of mass evangelism that Matthews notes is that it requires mass efforts in terms of organization, which may not be available to all ministers and missionaries. It can also be confused among peoples as something that is defined as a "special" event, when in reality is not a once-in-a-lifetime moment but rather a moment that one should be experiencing all one's life. Matthews' study is relevant to this thesis because it shows how mass evangelism is important and the good that it can do, but it also is helpful because it addresses specific problems that mass evangelists can encounter in practical terms, such as organization principles and reception/reaction hazards. [3: Ed Mathews, "Mass Evangelism: Problems and Potentials," Journal of Applied Missiology, Vol. 4. No. 1 (1993), 3.] [4: Ibid, 4.]

Rod Dempsey studies the strategies of Falwell in his thesis, which is relevant to this one because it highlights the essential elements critical to a saturation evangelist.[footnoteRef:5] In this study Dempsey emphasizes the importance of God's plan for everyone and how responding to that plan is what is critical in the lives of God's missionaries -- which should be everyone who hears God's call. Essentially, the study underlines the most important aspect of being a disciple of Christ, which is that no matter who you are or where you, you are always connected to Christ through faith, and that this connection establishes you as a speakerphone for the Lord, who wants His plan communicated to all, as stated in the Bible. This study is important and helpful because it draws attention to the most basic idea of saturation evangelism, which is the idea that by overflowing the glass, so to speak, the liquid -- the spirit of God -- will run over and spread everywhere: so that means that all who hear should allow their glass to overflow so that the Word of God can fill them up to the brim and then spread out on its own to others. This means, of course, that one must empty out the self in order to let the light of God inside -- and as this study emphasizes this point, it is particularly relevant to the thesis of the study of this paper. [5: Rod Dempsey, "The Ministry Methods of Jerry Falwell." Eruditio Ardescens. Vol. 1 Issue 1 (2013), 4. ]

Like the study by Matthews, the study by Cassidy focuses on the positives and negatives of mass evangelism and shows how the strategy can be implemented effectively so as to achieve the best results. Cassidy himself acknowledges that he is a "product of evangelism" and therefore can testify to its power.[footnoteRef:6] His study is relevant to the thesis of this study because it illustrates how mass evangelism can be effective when it comes upon no resistance in terms of culture or organization. It also is helpful in that it uncovers some limitations of the evangelical strategy and offers points on how these limitations might be dealt with. [6: Michael Cassidy. "Limitations of Mass Evangelism and its Potentialities." International Review of Missions, Vol. 65, No. 258 (April 1976), 202.]

Guthrie's study is relevant to this thesis because it emphasizes the importance of visitation -- that is, continually returning to the laity and keeping up with individual members so that they do not fall away. In other words, according to the findings of Guthrie, evangelism is not simply a matter of spreading the Word of God, but also a matter of keeping the faithful together so that they are united as one and can, as part of the spiritual vine that attaches them to Christ, support the saturation of more and more individuals, till the message is heard by all. Should visitation not be a part of the evangelical's aim, then the support structure falls apart, just as if nails in the framework of a house suddenly started disappearing, there would be nothing to hold the boards together. In this same way, Guthrie suggests that visitations can act as nails, binding the community together in a spirit of fellowship. Again, this is important to this study's thesis because it addresses another aspect of saturation evangelism, illustrating why it is essential to the strategy.[footnoteRef:7] [7: Guthrie, Stan 1. Outreach in Mexico City district is a big deal to its evangelicals, World Pulse, Vol. 27, No. 3 (February 7, 1992), 3.]

Luter's study also discusses the essence of saturation evangelism and shows how the strategy worked in terms of Paul's missionary activity. The study is relevant to this thesis because it roots the theory of saturation evangelism in a biblical context, specifically as it relates to the Apostle Paul and what he did to spread the Word of God. The study is particularly helpful because it shows what happens when a "half-baked" evangel replaces the one that is inspired by God (as is Paul's). The half-baked evangel refers to the "new evangelist" who appeared in Ephesus in Paul's absence and spread a message that was tolerable but that was not nearly as effective as Paul's because it did not "lay out the finished work of Jesus Christ."[footnoteRef:8] [8: A. Luter, "Deep and Wide: Education Overflowing as Evangelism from Ephesus" (2001). Faculty Publications and Presentations. Paper 285, 38.]

Slate's study finds there is a need to seriously scrutinize the work of the "mass evangelists" in order to ensure that they are not practicing the same sort of "half-baked" evangelism that sprang up in Ephesus in Paul's absence. Slate suggests that just as Paul took measures to make certain the followers of Christ were not waylaid by the weak evangelism of the "half-baked," so too should modern evangelists sincerely strive to embody the discipleship that Paul pressed upon all his followers in Christ. This will spare the saturation evangelist from overflowing with modern ridiculousness as can often be the case with widespread missionaries whose popularity does not match their spirituality or vice versa. This study is relevant to the thesis in that it discloses another pitfall regarding the implementation of saturation evangelism, which is that the evangelist must guard against improprieties and adulterated messages.[footnoteRef:9] [9: Philip Slate, "Missions Professor Critiques Methods Used in Eastern Europe." Christian Chronicle, Vol. 49, No. 7 (July 1992), 15.]

Underwood's study on evangelism is relevant to this study's thesis in that it addresses the benefits of evangelism as being two-fold: first, it finds that the community that adheres to saturation evangelism can be a sign of the constant and real presence of God in this world, through their faith and the acting out of that faith in missionary service; second, it finds that they can provide the unity and solidarity of fellowship in Christ needed for perpetuating the message of God around the world as He decrees Christians to do.[footnoteRef:10] [10: Joseph Underwood, "Crusades and Missions," The Commission, Vol. XXVIII, No. 5, May 1965, pages 9-14]

In terms of books and longer source material, there is a substantial amount of literature that is relevant to this study including the following works:

Blomberg's work emphasizes the need to reinterpret and rethink the modern era's approach to evangelization and spreading the Word of God. Blomberg identifies several different strategies utilized in today's world, from academic scholarly approaches to historical revisionism to charismatic evangelism and points out flaws in each and suggests ways that evangelism might be better utilized in today's era for modern persons who are hearing the Word of God and want to retain it in their lives. This book is relevant to the thesis because it addresses important topics regarding evangelism in the modern world and ways to better approach it.[footnoteRef:11] [11: Blomberg, Craig L. Interpreting the Parables 2 ed. Downer Grove: IVP Academic,2012.]

Bradshaw's book is equally relevant in that addresses the issue of "spreading too thin" the efforts of the evangelist so that too little reaches too many people.[footnoteRef:12] Bradshaw highlights the importance of having a strategy that does not try to do too much too quickly or in too many places, as the evangelist can run out of energy and material, and the flock can disperse as though struck by the absence of a substantial message. It is important to make the message personal and the interaction personal as well so that a deep connection is fostered and the Word of God is facilitated by a brotherly aspect of evangelism.[footnoteRef:13] [12: Bradshaw, Malcolm. Church Growth Through Evangelism-in-Depth. South Pasadena, California: William Carey Library, 1969.] [13: Ibid, 12.]

Chapell's book is also important and full of information that is relevant to this thesis because it relates to the expository method of preaching and how to prepare, organize and deliver the most important message that anyone will ever receive in his or her life.[footnoteRef:14] The main focus of the book is on what makes good and effective preaching and this is germane to this study because it examines the ins and outs of saturation evangelism and one of the fundamental elements of the activity is the proper execution of the evangel, which entails active ministry and preaching. Therefore, this book is very supportive of the thesis and provides the reader with a number of tried and true methods, which serve essentially as a comprehensive approach to ministering in the saturation manner. [14: Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005.]

Early and Wheeler provide an analysis of how to get the Word of God out to people in a high-performance manner which is extremely relevant to saturation evangelism, which is all about overflowing the cup with the spirit of God and keeping the spirit running so that it turns into a river and torrent of love and wisdom in Christ. The focus of the work by Early and Wheeler is in defining evangelism and showing how it should be the main work of everyone's life.[footnoteRef:15] [15: Earley, David and David Wheeler. Evangelism Is -- How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2010]

This is also the approach of William Fay in his book Share Jesus without Fear, which is essential reading for any student of evangelism. It describes in detail how Fay himself turned from a life of crime and sin to a life of virtue and grace in Christ, when faced with prison he turned to Jesus for forgiveness and became an evangelical in order to turn the lives of many sinners around to God and the fruit of Redemption.[footnoteRef:16] The book is very positive in terms of identifying the needs of the sinner and the way the sinner refuses to have anything to do with God until it becomes absolutely necessary -- and how this is such a dangerous way to live because it rejects out of the hand the plan that God has in store for everyone, instead relying on the plan of the enemy of God, who is Satan. This book is relevant to the thesis of this study in that it provides a terrific real world example of how evangelicals can take flight from their sins to God and convert from the error of their ways. [16: Fay, William. Share Jesus Without Fear. Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing Group, 1999]

Hadaway's book is another important work for the evangelical study in that it truly focuses on "separating fact from fiction" in terms of what it takes to grow one's church. The book takes an objective view of the factors that go into developing a church/flock and ministering to it. It examines the elements that cause churches to decline in membership as well, which is helpful for this study because it provides information on what to avoid in order to be a successful saturation evangelist. The book is overall informative, objective, plausible, and verifiable.[footnoteRef:17] [17: Hadaway, Kirk. Church Growth Principles: Separating Fact from Fiction. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press, 1991.]

McRaney's book focuses on personal evangelism and describes the art that it truly is and why it matters for an evangelist in today's world of despair, disbelief, atheism, materialism, cynicism, and sensuality. It reflects on how a personal evangelism can help build the bond in a community of faithful believers, whereas an impersonal evangelism is here one minute and gone the next. The basis of this argument is on Our Lord Himself who adopted a strategy of personal love for all around Him, often visiting their homes and sharing meals with them and preaching to them and fasting with them. He visited them in different areas, and so too did the first evangelists labor on a mission of personal love for all God's children. This book is therefore relevant to the thesis of this study because it highlights the need for an evangelism that is rooted in the one-on-one connection and provides a guide on how to successfully facilitate that approach.[footnoteRef:18] [18: McRaney, William. The Art of Personal Evangelism, Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing Group, 2003.]

Mounce's book is relevant to this thesis because it explores the meaning of the pulpit and the value and importance of that position in the eyes of the faithful who look to the preacher to be the example and guide in their own lives.[footnoteRef:19] Mounce uses the dramatic importance of the Gospel to provide the momentum for his book, arguing that the Word from Beyond is not some trivial guide to be tossed around negligently but rather the most essential bit of information this side of eternity. It has been essential information since the time of Christ and has been viewed that way for millennia -- and today it should be viewed no differently; therefore, who preaches this message stands in an exalted position and should recognize that in all humility because in truth he is like John the Baptist who knew that he was not worthy to loosen the strap of Christ's sandal. This book is relevant for its absolute insistence upon the all-important aspect of the Gospel as the soul-defining moment in the lives of all who hear it. [19: Mounce, Robert. The Essential Nature of New Testament Preaching. Eugene, OR: WIPF and Stock Publishers, 2005.]