April 1-2, 2006
The Gift of
Evangelism
Over the past several weeks we have been preaching about spiritual gifts.
Each week we have lifted up one gift for reflection—based on the
readings
and we have tried to show how that gift might work
in the lives of individuals and in the life of the
church.
So far we have talked about the gifts of education, music, leadership and
healing.
And our worship has been enriched by a couple of special services—
last week’s healing service and last month’s Gospel music
service
with the incomparable Horace Boyer.
Many of the gifts we have talked about so far are somewhat familiar to us.
After all we have lots of experience in life with the practice of them.
There are other gifts that are a little scarier, or at least
less familiar.
Only a few people at St. Luke’s have experience, for
example,
with gifts like speaking in tongues or
prophecy.
And today’s gift can also be a little intimidating.
For some reason, Episcopalians tend to be uncomfortable
with the word Evangelism.
I want to spend a little time today talking about why that is
and what I think Evangelism is really all about.
First of all, the obstacles.
The first obstacle is the image we have of evangelists.
When I was a kid I would go with my dad to USC football games.
As we approached the stadium we would always pass by the
library.
And every week the same guy would be there.
I try to recall his features now, but my gaze never lingered on him very long.
He had grayish hair and a beard, I remember that.
And as the crowd of football fans flowed past his perch,
he bellowed the same message into his bullhorn:
“Repent!”
As a teenager I was embarrassed by him and for him.
In my family religion was considered a deeply private matter.
Growing up, I don’t remember many conversations about faith.
My parents entertained a lot and had lots of friends
over,
but faith was not really discussed even with
church friends.
Nor did we really discuss it as a
family.
So I think I had no frame of reference to deal with Evangelism.
There seemed to be options, two polar opposites, as far as faith was
concerned.
One could either be a nice person and never talk about faith,
or one could be a bullhorn evangelist, or worse, a
televangelist.
I couldn’t really see anything in between.
Yet, as I grew older and began to take my faith more seriously,
and especially when I went to seminary,
I couldn’t avoid the realization that Evangelism
cannot simply be avoided.
Evangelism is at the heart of the Christian
life.
Christian Schwartz in his book on Spiritual Gifts
says that in virtually every congregation he has studied,
just about exactly 10 percent of the Christians
have the gift of Evangelism.
But that doesn’t get the rest of us off the hook.
Along with worshipping, giving and serving,
Evangelism is also the duty of every Christian.
It is one of the promises we make in the Baptismal Covenant.
Let’s refresh our memory. You answer “I will with God’s help.”
“Will you proclaim by word and example
the Good News of God in Christ?”
I will with God’s help.
What I think we need to do is to recover and reclaim Evangelism,
and restore it to its proper place in the church.
Evangelism means “telling the good news.”
We are really good at this in some areas of our lives.
We are happy to share good news about our children and grandchildren.
My favorite example of modern evangelism is the ad campaign
for GEICO.
One of their spoof ads features the old cartoon character Speed Racer.
He is facing a life threatening situation during a race.
His friend Trixie warns him there is a bridge out and then
says,
“I have good news—
I just saved a bunch of money on my car
insurance.”
(You can view the ad here.)
We are often excited to share good news about a diet we are on,
the accomplishments of our kids and grandkids,
a great restaurant we have just tried,
a great movie we have just seen,
or a book we have just read.
But when it comes to the most important thing in our lives
we are unable or unwilling to treat it like good news.
We become awkward, tongue-tied, insecure.
So why is it so difficult to be evangelists when it comes to our faith?
Part of it is, as I mentioned, the culture we live in
and a deep conviction that faith is only a private matter.
We somehow need to find sensitive ways
to overcome this taboo and start the
conversation.
But there are some other obstacles as well.
Part of it is defining what we mean by good news.
We feel insecure because we’re not really sure we know the
good news.
So often people say to me that they are afraid to talk about faith
because they don’t feel they know enough about the faith.
They feel ignorant of the Bible
and if they did want to talk about the faith,
they’re not sure at all of what they’d say.
So perhaps the barrier is knowledge.
Or perhaps is it is faith itself.
If we are not sure what we believe, or even if we believe,
it’s hard to have the courage to talk with others.
And then there is the fear of looking ridiculous.
A couple summers ago, John Flood and I tried out door to door
evangelism.
We had done some demographic research
and picked a couple neighborhoods
where we thought people might be receptive.
Armed with some literature from the church we set off.
Now neither of us is particularly extroverted.
And this was tremendously difficult for both of us.
We felt awkward and a little foolish as we walked up
to each door.
I have to tell you I was relieved when no one answered
and we were able to just leave a packet.
Yet some of those visits were really worthwhile.
We met folks who were active members of other congregations.
We talked to current and former members of St. Luke’s.
We met folks who were polite but not interested at all.
And Ray Hall was so surprised to get Episcopalians at his door
that he invited Susan and me on his show later that summer.
I learned two things during that experience.
I learned that door to door evangelism is not really
my calling.
But I also learned that when I step way out
in faith
God blesses that attempt and uses
it to help me grow.
So here, in a nutshell, is my assignment for you in Evangelism.
Don’t let the barriers prevent you from doing the work of evangelism.
Pray about whether you are one of the 10 percent who have this
as a gift.
Whether or not you have that as a gift, follow these
simple steps.
Learn the basic Christian story well enough to tell it to someone else.
Focus on Jesus—his life, ministry, teaching, death and resurrection.
Evangelism is not about getting people to follow you—
it’s about inviting people to follow Jesus.
As the Greeks told Philip, “Sir, we wish to
see Jesus.”
Learn to tell your own story in faith.
It doesn’t have to be slick or profound or earth shattering.
Often it’s better if it isn’t.
But be willing to give an account for the faith that
is in you.
And remember that evangelism is as much about the example you set
as the words you say.
One of my favorite quotes is attributed to St. Francis.
“Proclaim the gospel at all times.
Use words if necessary.”
Bullhorns, bad hair and a TV
station are not required.
