4. Christian Church Evangelist

Church Army

Group of People The Christian evangelist must have a unique spiritual gift of evangelism from God. God gives some this spiritual gift and others some other spiritual gifts, and God calls to be pastors or administrators in the church. An estimate of the number of evangelists among Christians is one in ten Christians, but it is likely to be much lower. One of the church's problems today is the presumption that evangelism is nothing more than Christianized public relations.

Christianized P.R.

Some churches would not assume nor have the skill to present the Good News of Jesus Christ to others. Evangelism is sometimes NOT happening in the church. All Christians are called upon to be witnesses for Christ, but God calls only a few to become an evangelist and bring others to Christ personally. ✞

Test the Gifts

The church usually would test these gifts and add their seal of approval to their commission alongside other ministers. The Anglican Church Army commissions an evangelist to work under their local Bishop and manager in the Church Army. ✞

The Great Commission

Wikipedia Jesus spoke directly to evangelists and pastors when he said in Matthew 28.19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The French Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623 -1662) wrote, "The serene, silent beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence." Pascal was a child prodigy who, amongst other things, made significant contributions to the study of fluids. While still a teenager, he invented one of the first mechanical calculators. He exhibited a rare and intuitive sense of God and the virtue of a holy life. An evangelist is someone who God explicitly calls to share the faith professionally. Dr. C. Peter Wagner (1930-2016), a well-known church growth expert and Professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary in California, has researched this question and discovered that only one in ten Christians has the spiritual gift of evangelism and exercise that ministry. The evangelist shares the Good News of Jesus Christ wherever they may be. ✞

Local Christian Setting

Hands The modern definition of "evangelistic" is, in a general sense, "to be outgoing and enthusiastic." A salesperson for a particular product can be said to be as evangelistic as a Christian minister differently. On the other hand, in a church setting, an "Evangelical" is a description of "Biblically conservative." They may also be theologically part of the evangelical movement found in many denominations and church groups worldwide. However, being a member of this movement does not automatically make one "evangelistic!" ✞

Not Public Relations

Green Growth "Church growth" and evangelism may or may not be the result of an evangelist's work as much as it may be a demographic shift, or in other cases, a supernatural occurrence. When a person preaches the Gospel, people repent and turn to Christ in faith or turn away instead. Evangelism occurs when individuals turn to Christ and become committed to Christ and join a local Bible-based Christian Church. Evangelism is not viewed as just "Christian public relations," as is supposed and practiced by some mainline denominations like the Anglican Church of Canada. Evangelism programs require a personal response by faith in Christ. ✞

Increasing Congregations

Crowd of People Church growth leading to an increase in the number of persons attending a church may result from other demographic factors, such as when a new housing estate is built in close vicinity to a church and newcomers unexpectedly arrive on the church's steps. ✞

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