February 24th, 2011

Evangelism

Robert E. Coleman asks a great question in his classic book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, “Why are so many professed Christians today stunted in their growth and ineffectual in their witness?” I think I found an answer. The other day my wife and I were invited to have a social snack with a small group. As the conversation went along and my wife was describing her job, one woman asked, “Do you find ways to tell them about Jesus?” At another point in the multi-topic discussion someone looked at another gentleman and said, “Tell the preacher about the guy you’re witnessing to.” During the ninety minutes that we were all together I didn’t think much about the comments.

On the drive home it occurred to me that I don’t hear statements or questions like that very often. I can’t remember the last time I was asked if I have witnessed to anyone. I also can’t remember the last time I asked anyone in our small group or Sunday school class if they had witnessed to anyone. So, maybe the answer to Coleman’s question is simple; a lack of accountability for our responsibility to witness.

Let me be clear, the question to my wife about witnessing was not an accusation, judgment, condemnation, or in any way negative. It was asked in excitement and with a desire to hear about Jesus changing lives. Naturally, I started to ask myself, am I willing to be open to being held accountable for my personal evangelistic life – that’s a tough one. Are you? Think of how the world around us would change if we became excited about the good news of Jesus, and were motivated to share it by being held accountable. By the way, my answer is yes, what’s yours?

Posted: 1 year ago