Paul Weston explores the New Testament writers' view of evangelism. He shows how the early Church possessed an instinctive sharing of the good news because they were people who believed they were firmly within the flow of God's activity in bearing witness to himself. Evangelism was for them and should be for the Church today the natural overflow of an authentic Christian life, discipleship and evangelism being directly connected and evangelism being the natural, organic consequence of discipleship.
David Male explores how the local church can embrace this New Testament view. He challenges the church to throw off the misinterpretation of the Great Commission that prevails and realise the main verb of the commission is not to go but the imperative tomake disciples. In essence you make disciples as you go, as you live and share your faith. The main goal of ministry therefore is to nurture genuine disciples, teaching people to live the Christian life before talking about it; training people to lead their lives now in the way Jesus would his if he were walking through their town today. If congregations are not helped in this way, the culture around will do the discipling, big brands and prevailing social thought enticing and educating them into their lifestyle.
David concludes by posing two questions that all in church need to ponder: first, do you truly believe that the living God is active in his creation? And second, could he possibly use you in that activity? Answers to these questions not only shape an understanding of evangelism but also shape a person's life every day of the week.
