Introduction
Evangelism, the spreading of the Gospel, is often seen as a task reserved for charismatic leaders and devoted missionaries. Of course there are those who we clearly recognise as having the gift of evangelism, but does this allow the rest of us off the hook? As much as we may believe that evangelism is held for the select few, the ordinary essence of evangelism—a call to everyday Gospel faith and sharing - is both something that should permeate daily life, and also doesn't need to be as complicated or specialised as we might think. I want to delve into the ordinary aspects of evangelism, drawing parallels with biblical examples to emphasise its significance in the routines of individuals and communities.
Everyday Evangelism: Beyond Pulpits and Pews
While preaching and congregational gatherings are integral to expressing our beliefs and gathering God's people, evangelism's essence reaches far beyond church walls. Sometimes, our ‘outreach’ has become ‘in-grab’, with churches offering a welcoming experience to attract people to the gathering of God’s people on a Sunday morning. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but in many contexts is still a bit awkward for people to just show up, or indeed they might have cultural reasons why they won’t. It may have inadvertently become our churches main pathway for evangelism. Ordinary evangelism rather finds its roots in the simple yet profound interactions within our own communities outside of the walls of the church. It mirrors biblical teachings such as Jesus' emphasis on loving one's neighbour (Matthew 22:39) and Paul's encouragement to do good to all (Galatians 6:10). Acts of kindness, empathy, and moral uprightness become avenues for sharing the Gospel in the ordinary aspects of life. If we each have a circle of influence, in our home, school, work, clubs and activities, then we each become a witness to the Gospel in those areas.
Living the Message
At the core of ordinary evangelism lies the principle of living out the Gospel message. Words alone may not suffice, but a life that mirrors Christian values speaks volumes. This echoes Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, where he emphasises the importance of living according to God's principles (Matthew 5:16). Ordinary evangelists understand that their actions serve as living testimonies, reflecting the love, compassion, and humility of Christ. This isn’t the poorly attributed Francis of Assisi quote, “Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words” - but I think we’d all agree that words without action or difference are undermined to a great degree.
Relationships Not Targets
Ordinary evangelism acknowledges the pivotal role of relationships in sharing faith, echoing the concept of relational evangelism. Now, this is often viewed in as falling down a ditches on either side. Firstly, that we treat friendships like ‘targets’ befriending people until we share the Gospel, and if they reject it, moving on to another person. This is not friendship, or even kind. Secondly, we become friends without ever sharing the Gospel with people, hoping that people understand it via osmosis. We are afraid that sharing of the Gospel will mean that we lose our friendship. These are often a struggle and tension, but true relational evangelism also cannot be scripted or follow a set pattern. Instead of scripted approaches, we engage in genuine connections, akin to Jesus' relational approach in his interactions with his disciples and others. The emphasis is on fostering meaningful relationships where faith can naturally unfold through open dialogue and shared experiences. Both of these elements are to be present. If we are a true friend we will share the Gospel with our friends, and if we are sharing who we truly are in Christ, and it is rejected it should not hinder the development of friendships.
The Power of Storytelling
Storytelling has always been a potent tool for conveying spiritual truths, as evidenced by Jesus' frequent use of parables to impart lessons. In ordinary evangelism, personal narratives of faith serve to bridge the gap between the sacred and our normal lives. Stories of redemption and transformation resonate deeply, illustrating the relevance of the Gospel in everyday life. We can speak of concepts like grace and mercy, but seeing these testified to in the life of a Christian imparts them with power and connects to ordinary life. We are seeing this more and more in our societies, this hunger for connection to real people, and if we disconnect the Gospel story from our lives as some series of abstract beliefs we have just adopted, then we are missing the power of God’s story unfolding in our lives.
Hospitality and Welcome
Ordinary evangelism embodies the ethos of hospitality - the welcoming of strangers - mirroring Jesus' example of welcoming all, regardless of social status or background (Luke 14:12-14). Welcoming communities become living testimonies of the Gospel, echoing Paul's teachings on unity and acceptance within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6). Through genuine welcome and hospitality, ordinary evangelists create spaces where individuals feel valued, fostering an environment conducive to spiritual exploration. Of course, there is risk here, but we need to understand that up front. We’d do well to remember that Jesus was labelled because He hung around with sinners, and was projected as being a drunk and glutton. Yet, He was often invited to parties - I wonder are we invited to celebrations and parties in our communities or shunned as being 'kill-joys'? Of course, welcome does not mean that we accept everything, but that people know the love of Jesus through us, and this love inevitably comes with truth. Are our homes and lives places where people feel welcomed and loved - even if they know who we stand for and what we believe?
The Ministry of Presence
Lastly, amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, simple presence holds profound significance in ordinary evangelism. This concept aligns with biblical principles such as comforting those in need (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) and bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). By being fully present with others, whether in times of joy or sorrow, Christians become conduits of God's grace, offering comfort, support, and companionship. I remember once watching a short video about farming for pearls. The two approaches were significantly different. The first is to grab the oyster, crack it open, take the pearl and discard it. The second requires patience, waiting for the oyster to natural open, removing the pearl and ensuring that the oyster is unharmed and will produce another opportunity. Many of us feel hurried in evangelism, that we need to force it. Often times we see people actively sharing the Gospel with people, and often they are give labels like ‘bold’, ‘courageous’, ‘zealous in evangelism’ - but I wonder how many broken shells lie in their wake. I realise that people do come to faith from more impersonal and direct means, reading Facebook posts or getting a tract through the door, but I think these are becoming more and more ineffective in our society. The people in my life, and in our church who are the most wonderful evangelists do not claim to have ‘reached’ thousands of people with the Gospel, but their neighbours, a few colleagues in work, and some friends from a local club. They are loved, and respected. They exude ordinary faithfulness to Jesus, and people really listen to them when they speak because they have relational credit to do so.
Conclusion
Ordinary evangelism challenges the notion that spreading the Gospel is limited to extraordinary efforts or charismatic individuals. It is a call to embody the Christian message in everyday life, recognising the sacred in the ordinary. Through acts of kindness, authentic relationships, storytelling, hospitality, and simple presence, ordinary evangelists demonstrate the transformative power of faith in Jesus and His Gospel. As we embrace our role as ambassadors of the Good News in everyday moments, we follow in the footsteps of the other ordinary evangelists throughout the history of the church. Rather than just speaking the Gospel message, we also live it out as living witnesses (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) in the world around us.
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