Four Categories of Evangelism Programs - Evangelism Unlimited

1002 Evangelizology
Notice the insertion of the word “message” in Galatians 2:6 in the NIV, NJB, GWN, and
NET Bible:
Thereby forcing the application of the discussion as being “message” not “method”
[It seems that our of the thousands of manuscripts available to the Geman Bible Society,
the word “message” appears in none in this part of Gal 2:6, so it has to be added to
the NIV translation, rather than to the next so-called “critical edition” Greek text
(perhaps there is still a chance for them to find it in some manuscript)]
Note the chart on Galatians 2:6 at the end of Chapter 10
While there are dozens and dozens of evangelism methods (see my Charts for a Theology of
Evangelism), these notes will consider four major methods with local church evangelism programs
available in our day:
1. Initiative Evangelism Programs
2. Lifestyle and Relational Programs
3. Servant Evangelism Programs
4. Special Event Evangelism
5. Other
I. Initiative Evangelism Programs: 1162
General Definition: Initiative Evangelism Programs—Programs that organize members to take the
initiative in sharing their faith with visitors to church, strangers, friends, family, and neighbors.
Key Verse: Luke 14:23, “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the
hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.’”
General Strengths and Weaknesses (from student interaction):
Weaknesses:
Gospel sharing can become mechanical
“Cheese-factor”—can make the Gospel presentation sound cheesy
Getting people to do it
Does it address the questions that people are asking (e.g. heaven?)
Weekly visitation: can it burn out people? Is this rather a sign of laziness or fruitlessness?
Time commitment (FAITH requires 3.5 to 4 hours in one night; many split it into two nights)
Difficult to keep motivated for 13 weeks
Sometimes seen as program rather than tool
Strengths:
Gives a venue for the church to fulfill the Great Commission
Tied to the command “Go!”
Continually places the priority of evangelism before the people
Helps give people confidence
Equips the saints
Gain confidence in sharing the Gospel
Experienced people can then learn to share naturally in lifestyle situations
A memorized Gospel plan:
Keeps conversation on track
Ties Scripture to each point
Brings visit to [spiritual] conclusion
Other negative comments against initiative evangelism:
“You should not have to initiate conversations about Jesus, people will come to you”
“Most people truly want to hear the Gospel, it’s the methods that we use that they do not like”
1162 The order of these programs is chronological, as is possible to discern.