Evangelism

Glorify God                           Make Disciples                         Meet Human Need

Make a Friend, Be a Friend, Bring a Friend to Christ

Rev. Case Thorp-First Presbyterian Church of Orlando

For far too long, Presbyterians have measured up to the stereotype that we are the 'frozen chosen'. Many of us chuckle at the 'frozen' part and take smug pleasure in our social graces that keep the Spirit under control. The result? A denomination in decline.

The median age of Presbyterian Church USA churches is much higher than the general population. Presbyterian Research Services indicates the following:
Prior to 2005, the median age of members had not changed significantly in more than 15 years; it was 54 years in 1987 and 55 years in 2002. But it increased to 58 years in 2005. (It was 47 years in 1973.) Among elders, the median age has shown a similar progression, rising from 49 years in 1973 to 55 in both 1990 and 2002 before increasing to 58 years in 2005. Among ministers, median age has gradually risen, from 46 years in 1973 to 52 years at present for pastors, and from 50 years in 1979 to 55 years currently for specialized clergy.

From 1994 to 2004, our denomination lost 12% of membership matching the trend among all other mainline denominations in the United States such as the Disciples of Christ (-21%), Lutheran- ELCA (-4%), United Church of Christ (-15%), and the United Methodist (-5%). George Barna, statistician and author of Revolution (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2005), reports the sad state of affairs among American Christians and their participation in church life. Barna's research shows, "The typical churched believer will die without leading a single person to a lifesaving knowledge of and relationship with Jesus Christ." This is a tragedy and a sad comment on our purported method for doing and being the church.

See, Presbyterians are quite evangelical; we just do not display it for the entire world to see and replicate. Our method of evangelism is intrinsically linked to our ecclesiological conviction that discipleship without relationship is like a digital camera without a memory card; it may click, but there isn't much 'there' there. The method I've followed is to make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ. This mantra is nothing new and perhaps adopted by many reading this article. Yet, if we become lazy together further reinforcing our collective entropy, we may get to a point where we have enough friends, we are friends to those we already like, and we rarely end up bringing a friend to Christ.

Who will you invite to worship this Sunday? Or maybe there is someone you know that would be best invited first to a small group, local mission opportunity, or church function. Who might they be and what is the best venue for them?

If asked today about why you are a Christian, what would you say?

Do not for a moment think that specialized evangelism programs and Evangelism Committee budget monies can compare with our members being the front-line of evangelism by being the face of Jesus who cares for a friend, carries the burdens of others, and shares their testimony in a way that proves the freeing message of the Gospel. Thinking that it's the church's responsibility to do the evangelism is like burning that sole log. But when all our members are engaged as the frontline of evangelism, we have numerous areas of surface. Or, rather, we have that many faces, hands, testimonies and hearts impacting those around them.

Be intentional about making new friends if you have plenty, or rather be intentional about identifying the non-Christian friends you may already know. Pray for them on a daily basis and pray for an opportunity both to serve them unselfishly and for an opportunity to share your testimony about what Christ has done for you. These can be casual, normal means of interaction, but we must be willing to share, open up, call the question by honestly sharing our faith. Rarely do staged moments work, and entrapping someone so you can share the Gospel can only distance friends. However, living life with coworkers, neighbors, and newly made friends at the coffee shop can be transforming given that we are willing to push beyond our social graces and share the impact of Christ on our lives.