It’s not as scary as you think.
The word “evangelism” seems to scare the bejeebers out of most of
us. Good Shepherd is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
but everyone I know refers to our denomination as the ELCA. They claim it’s
easier to use the initials, but I think it’s because we’re afraid
to say evangelism out loud. It conjures up images of that guy on late night
television with the crazy comb-over and white suit who promises God will heal
you if only you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and mail in a small
donation, or that billboard on 194 that superimposes the words Repent, for your
judgment is at hand on the pages of a really big Bible, or that guy who came
to your door and asked if you knew where you were going to spend eternity and
when you didn’t know what to say told you that you’d spend it in
hell unless you were born again. People who do those things seem manipulative
or judgmental or invasive, and we’ve let them hijack evangelism away from
us.
The word evangelism comes from the Greek word evangel, which means good news.
Being an evangelist is about inviting others to share the good news of forgiveness
and redemption in Jesus Christ. It means keeping an eye out for people who are
alone out there in the cold, and inviting them inside the warmth of God’s
house. It means inviting people you know to share the church you love.
You don’t have to be a silver-tongued preacher or notch up converts or
go door to door grilling strangers about their faith in Jesus Christ. What God
is asking us to do is watch for family or friends or neighbors or coworkers
who are missing the company of the Christ we share. Their kids might want to
try out Sunday School, or their family might enjoy coming with you to Octoberfest,
or the children’s Christmas Pageant, a Good Company outing for theater
or golf or square dancing, to worship with us Christmas Eve or belly up to the
Father’s Day Steak Fry. We meet Jesus in all those places. So will they.
It’s not nearly as scary as you think. Someone, some where, some time,
invited you. All God wants you to do is return the favor.
Pastor Jim
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriages feast... Matthew 22:2
From the Shepherd's Song Newsletter -- October 2006
Copyright 2006 by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
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E-mail your comments and questions to Pastor Jim in care of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at gslc@sirus.com.