The problem with Evangelism is simple: it usually doesn’t work. I know that I’m walking on thin ice here, but I believe that my generation doesn’t respond to Evangelism in the way that others have. When I say Evangelism, I mean the public proclamation of Christ to a large group of people. When I think of this, I think about handing out Bibles and holding up crosses. Many won’t agree with me on this, but I am beginning to think that there is a better way to reach the lost.
After a summer working at my church, I have learned that presence matters. It matters more than a powerful message about how Jesus can save souls. It matters more than someone leading people in worship. Presence matters more than your church building matters. Now I know that people are shaking their heads at my words. But don’t get me wrong, I think that there is a time and a place for these things, but people who are “unchurched” and don’t know Jesus need your presence in their lives before they need to sit through a church service.
My church has started working with the concept of Presence Evangelism. The name definitely speaks for itself, but it reflects this idea of “presence matters.” Presence evangelism takes the idea of traditional evangelism and makes it work for people who are turned off by the church, which to be truthful, is a lot my generation. It starts by building intentional relationships with people who you interact with throughout your day-to-day. This is your grocer, your boss, your hairstylist, and maybe even your bank teller. When you are in relationship with people, the Holy Spirit has room to work through you, allowing those you come in contact with to experience His mighty power. I firmly believe that if the church wants to reach people, they are going to have to meet them where they are. Then we have to walk with them all the way to the end and not just drag them to the finish line.
This idea doesn’t stop here. I think that we as Christians sometimes underestimate the power of prayer, and this is myself included. We feel like we need to rescue all of these people from the disparity of hell and we forget to ask the person who has already saved them from it. If we are not on our knees in prayer for those whom we are trying to save, then we are doing something wrong. Prayer is the most powerful thing that we have, so we need to start treating it that way.
I know two things to be true: change is scary, but change can also be good. I am part of the generation rising up in the church, so I know that change is coming, which may frighten some, but I can promise that it will be good. Lets go out and engage those who are apart of our communities. Lets let our actions speak louder than our words ever could. But most importantly, let's allow our lifestyles be a true testimony of the love that Christ has for all of His people.
