I was thinking about this recently as well, but in terms of the 'testimonies' of some of the 'Christian' authors and speakers.
In more than one case I read how they explored many religions at one time and then 'decided' Christianity was the one that made the most sense. They went to seminary or university, and are now 'leaders', but no where in their 'story' did I read about conviction of their sins and repentance. Just a change of mind.
They live the Christian lifestyle, they know the words to use, they even can quote scripture, and they are widely read.
No one can judge another's heart - I sure can't, but it is a niggling thought in my brain whenever I hear that person quoted or promoted within the Evangelical community.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Eunice

 

Eunice, I think that is called "healthy caution" ;-)

 

We have a framed poster in our house.
It says,
"A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are made for."
Your post reminded me of that poster.
Great thoughts!
(I am sure most Canadians do a lot of skiing?)

 

Daniel,

Did you ever see the "Evangelism Explosion's" video on the swimmers club? It is a similar analogy to this one.

I know however many pastors are much more comfortable converting the flock than getting out of the streets where the real action is.

God bless,
Jim

 

Rose - I knew I had seen that graphic before somewhere!

Jim, I have noticed that in some churches there is an expectation that the pastor should be a red hot evangelist. I don't deny that an elder ought to do the work of an evangelist, yet some congregations are quick to place an imbalanced emphasis on this particular role.

I believe that the Lord, "sends" people into the harvest, that is, He empowers those whom He sends by making them willing in the day of He empowers them.

Notwithstanding, wherever there is a genuine article, we find an human effort facsimile or counterfeit.

In some cases people are impatient with God's timing, or perhaps ignorant, and in the strength of that folly they expect their pastor to "make up the difference" - that is, they begin to *expect* their pastor fill the pews. This is (IMO) an injustice to the pastor, and is promotes a carnal, guilt-driven sort of evangelism, whereby the Pastor performing like a monkey for some vociferous minority in the church.

By that I only hope to point out that it isn't the special job of the shepherd to produce the sheep, rather the flock - that is the sheep themselves ought to be begetting more sheep.

It --is-- the special job of the shepherd however to diagnose illnesses in his flock and to deal with them. When a flock isn't "producing," a good shepherd deals with --that-- problem, and I would hope that he would deal with it before starting some "grow the church" program. It is wise and prudent to have an infrastructure of mature believers in place before one brings in a batch of new and impressionable believers.

It is certainly telling that in some congregations no one seems to want to share their faith. I see this as a great problem that would have to be dealt with - in fact, I think evangelism programs are entirely human effort. A good healthy Christian (and by extension, church) shares his (their) faith without having to be coerced into doing so.

I guess my concern is that expecting the pastor hits the "streets" with the gospel usually indicates a human-effort approach to evangelism. If the pastor isn't sharing his faith regularly, he has spiritual problem - he isn't living filled with God's Spirit. Demanding that he goes out and witnesses doesn't deal with that problem, it just makes the vociferous, pragmatic minority happy.

Truly, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. The same rule applies therefore to those in the congregation. Every believer ought to be sharing their faith, and when they are not they demonstrate spiritual immaturity - and it is the duty of those who are mature in the church to identify, and treat that immaturity - encouraging others unto godliness.

If the storehouse is in disrepair so that the grain it stores is rotting - it behooves us to set aside the gathering of grain until we have addressed the rot in the storehouse.

My point is that there are many reasons why a pastor may not be out in the streets selling the gospel along side the Jehovah's Witnesses.

I know you weren't suggesting otherwise Jim, - I am just jumping off that idea to make the point.

Thanks for your thoughts

Dan

 

Dan, once again I see I should have qualified my remarks. I agree with your consensus here. My point was that some preachers think they are "preaching the gospel" by trying to convert the converted. Rather they should be focusing on discipling these baby believers and helping them grow in grace and the knowledge of God's word.

I wholeheartedly believe every christian should be actively witnessing for Christ. To my shame I myself am weak in this area.

God bless,
Jim