08720
October 2, 2008

What is evangelism?

GAC’s Evangelism Mission Committee explores meaning to guide work

by Susan Lindsey
Senior Communications Associate

SNOWBIRD, UT — What is evangelism?

From street preaching to community outreach programs, members of the General Assembly Council’s (GAC) Evangelism Mission Committee on Oct. 1 explored the many ways that Christians live a life that faithfully witnesses to Jesus Christ.

The “generative thinking” conversation here, led by committee chair Carolyn McLarnan, an elder in Hattiesburg, MS, was designed to help committee members — more than half of whom are new to the GAC — reach consensus to guide their work

One committee member said that many people within the denomination are good at worship inside a church, but are reluctant or uneasy about witnessing outside of it.

Another said that her church had started to use the word “inviting” rather than “evangelism.”

Yet another noted that evangelism is not synonymous with church growth, nor is evangelism that same thing as conversion, since it is God who converts.

One committee member said, “Actions speak louder than words.” Others seemed to agree, citing activities such as community programs, and local mission and ministry projects.

Other committee members focused more on speaking about one’s faith, actively witnessing, and sharing the gospel.

One member said, “We witness by what we say and do, but also by what we are.”

General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow attended part of the meeting and said he thought evangelism was “an outward expression of an inner gratitude and a reconnecting with God.”

Eric Hoey, the GAC’s director of Evangelism and Church Growth, read the PC(USA)’s formal definition of evangelism, which includes presenting the claims of Jesus Christ, and going into the world and baptizing.