Just Do It

The Fifth Stream

The Evangelical Tradition: Discovering the Word-Centered Life

Ah, evangelism. Its one of my two greatest passions in life, the second being music. I have really been looking forward to writing this blog for quite some time.

Evangelism is not knowing the Romans Road, the questions from Explosive Evangelism, explaining the bridge illustration, passing out tracks, or knocking on doors. Evangelism is not being prepared to give a reason for your faith and learning about other religious thoughts so that you can combat against them. Those things may be a part of, but are not evangelism. No, no, no. Evangelism is much simplier than that, at the core.

I prefer to think of Evangelism more of a result of a Christian living a life. We just have to shut up our spirit so that we can hear God tell us what to do. We don’t have to be paranoid about it and witness to everyone we see at Wal-mart. We just have to live-and be ready for God to use us!
[photopress:swoosh.png,full,alignleft]I think the best Evangelism motto could be summed up in Nike’s motto: Just Do It. One modern chuch leader gave the constant challenge to his church, “Just do the stuff.” I’m saved. I know what’s in the Bible. Now all there is left to do is to actually DO the stuff that’s in the Bible. We must do the things that we already know to do. In his book that I am commenting on, Richard Foster gives two excellent ways to practice the evangelical tradition:

[photopress:streamsbookpicture.jpg,full,alignright]1) Know Our Bible. If we are to give a reason for the faith that we have, we need to be solidly rooted in scripture. Don’t read a few minutes everyday. “The popular devotional practice of a brief Bible reading each morning is a little like trying to take a shower one drop at a time. Just as we simply cannot get a shower that way, we simply cannot become a biblically saturated person that way. So read entire sections of books of the Bible in one sitting.” It is much better to read for 1 solid hour per week than it is to read the Bible ten minutes a day. And don’t just read the Bible to get ammunition against those who think differently than you. Read it to be fed.

2) Know Other People. “I am thinking of those we live near and those we work with and those we meet at the grocery store and the gas station. Now, if we really pay attention to those around us — learning their interests, needs, hopes, hurts, dreams, fears — we will be given what we need to say. Our lives will preach Christ, and our words will confirm and make specific the message of our lives.”

Just Do It. SWOOSH