Now, I do understand and agree that some Christians will have more talents than others in the area of evangelism. But, even the most limited soldier in God’s kingdom has a role in the realm of evangelism. Every Christian must do what he or she can to reach the lost! If you’re not doing anything to reach the lost, you are wasting abilities and opportunities; you are rebelling against God’s command (whether you realize it or not; cf. Matt. 25:14-30)!

As you consider this lesson, I challenge you to look into your heart and life. Are you a sower of seed for God? Or, are you content to babysit the seed sack and not share it with others? Are you obedient to the Great Commission? Or, is evangelism a great omission in your life?

I have seven points I’d like to share on this theme. These are seven reasons why I believe some people are not evangelistic (though I believe we all should be passionate about trying to save the lost):

Read the whole article with his seven points here.

Over on the Biblical Notes ezine, I explored a few weeks ago what is “Man’s noblest function,” taking my cue from a jornalist’s quote. I pray you’ll find it thought-provoking as we consider the nature of our earthly task.

I take advantage of the moment to say, once again, to those who perhaps have not yet heard, that an email scam is circulating in my name asking for funds for a British evangelist. It did not originate from me, in spite of the use of personal information.

We now turn our attention to an “evaluation tool” which is sorely misunderstood and frequently abused. This tool or test may be termed the “numbers test.”

It takes various forms and is spoken of in a variety of ways, but one basic attitude prevails. “How many baptisms do they have each year?” “How many congregations are being established?” In reality, if you ask faithful veteran missionaries, they will readily admit that this mindset often comes out in “mission reports” more as a numbers game, rather than a true test.

Both articles are worth your time. The second one on BNc is here.

After this Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome. Paul approached them, and because he worked at the same trade, he stayed with them and worked with them (for they were tentmakers by trade). He addressed both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue every Sabbath, attempting to persuade them. Now when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul became wholly absorbed with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 18:1-5 NET

The text seems to indicate that when Silas and Timothy arrived, they may well have brought with them help from Philippi (see chaps. 1 and 4 of that letter). Then Paul “became wholly absorbed with proclaming the word.” That probably means he “devoted himself exclusively to preaching” (NIV) since he no longer needed to take time out to personally earn his living.

Paul went on his journey expecting to have to work with his hands while he preached. He never once thought that he couldn’t embark on a missionary tour nor that he’d have to return to Antioch because he didn’t have the funds.

It’s one thing to make plans and moves based on strategy for the gospel, another entirely to withdraw from a field for lack of funds.

Having been rabbi-trained, Paul had learned an occupation and put it to good use for the kingdom of Christ. Like the apostle, today’s workers do well to consider vocational ministry, if support is not forthcoming.

The state of the American economy and the world situation present an opportunity to reconsider the need, on the side of missions personnel, for self-support.

On the side of congregations, it is a call to greater, not lesser, involvement, to more significant investments of financial resources, not fewer.

Last year, until the last moment, our family faced this option of partial self-support, and we actually began a small business to that end. We know a number of missionaries who work to stay on the field.

And the story in Corinth? Scripture says that “many of the Corinthians who heard about it believed and were baptized” (v. 7). The Lord promised many, many more people for the kingdom.

Might that not have been thanks in part to churches who released Paul for exclusive dedication to the preaching of the word?

Lacking that possibility, however, doesn’t mean the word shouldn’t be preached. As always, there are options. And in either, the Lord will bless.

What about the homebound, the hospital bound, the nursing home bound? Does this mean that they’re out of luck when it comes to trying to fulfill this command? Absolutely not. Here are some ideas for personal evangelism that are completely doable from a hospital bed…

One of her points deals with attitude.

Have the right (cheerful, thankful, etc.) attitude! If you’re around nurses, doctors, or other caregivers, focus on being a grateful patient. Let them see that you’re different, even if you’re in pain, sick, or not wanting to be on bed rest!

Other points: Use the Internet, write snail-mail letters, pray, study. The article is worth a read, at the link above.

At the beginning of 2010 we distributed in print and on the Internet a reading plan for the New Testament. We did it first in Portuguese, then translated it into English. It’s been updated for 2011, and is at this site for free distribution, in PDF format. Some of its positive characteristics are also described there.

#1. Emergency appeal

“If you don’t help now,  the kingdom of God will go down the tubes.” You’ll never hear a missionary say those exact words, but sometimes the impression is left that if you don’t help now a particular effort, then all is lost. It’s manipulation to lay a guilt trip on the hearers to shell out the dough. You will hear people say, “Give now or this  opportunity will be lost forever!” Urgency is good, and we need more of it, but foretelling the bleak future is a risky business.

#2. Tear-jerking

You’ve seen the photos of the dirty, bare-foot, stomach-distended children, the emotional appeals, the heart-breaking stories, the pitiable cries for help from the dark corners of the world. There is suffering out there, much of it, but don’t believe all you’re told either.

#3. Pentecost success

If you really want to impress, show mass baptisms.

“The Underanians are converting by the hundreds every day! A kadzillion churches are being established every month! On our two-week trip (including three days of travel, two days of sight-seeing, and one day in bed sick as a dog) we baptized 4,732 souls whom we left to fend for themselves. We must send more help! Contribute today!”

Yeah, right. Go back next year and see how many of those are still faithful. There is that soul who hearing the gospel the first time will follow Jesus to the end. Many, however, require a process, often extended, in order to come to faith, one in which a friend accompanies them.

Some mission efforts, among them not a few short-term, are little more than a dip trip. Get ‘em in the water and show the folks back home.

One suspects that mission reports and appeals tend to reflect the character of the work done on the field. By their PowerPoints you shall know them.

Evangelist David Sain of the West Fayetteville church, Fayetteville TN, speaks on “What Does The Bible Define As A Successful Missionary Effort?“