Are Evangelists On The Wane ?

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

How about that Jesus is coming soon!

We used to hear that every service when I was a kid.

Now you hardly ever hear that phrase.

Maybe we've learned a thing or two.....like we don't know when He's coming.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by erikwebster

Or the apostolic model of the ministry of evangelist could easily be someone working in the local church and we have made it into something it really shouldnt be for the most part

You could be correct- however, the ministry God has called for goes beyond the local church, does it not? The movie "Field of Dreams" tells about a man who was compelled to build a ballpark in a cornfield. "Build it and they will come", the "voice spoke to him. Good story, but doesn't quite apply to the NT Church.

Our mandate, directly from the Master, is to "Go". He sent the disciples two by two into the round about cities to preach the Gospel. "Go ye and preach the Gospel to every creatures...", Jesus commanded. Paul spent his life travelling far and wide to preach the saving Gospel of Christ. Yes, I believe the evangelist does work in the local church... but, in doing so, he (or she) follows the command of Christ to "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luk 14:23)

If we hope to ever see God's church filled, we'll have to get out from behind those 4 walls and get our hands dirty in the ministry of evangelism.

[OneAccord]

Another great thread bites the dust.

[GodsBabyGirl]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Whatever happened to all the women evangelists? I remember as a kid that there were a LOT of women evangelists traveling around. Our church had revivals with several single women. And in the 20-30 years before that, I have heard that there were even more. Also, lots more single women missionaries. Is this becoming a rare thing?

Many single women now are single MOTHERS, Sis.

And back in the day a woman could get a little more support when she traveled with the kids. They were a part of the ministry team, matter of fact.

These days, those women would have their kids taken away from them and they would end up in jail....

Sad, but true...

There are many women evangelists that are being sat down, for lack of a better term, by society.

And obligation to their kids.

As a result, many are losing their souls because a vital voice in the earth realm is being silenced.

Originally Posted by OneAccord

I wrote an article for a certain Apostolic publication several years ago entitled "The Vanishing Evangelsit". Then, as now, the ministry of the Evangelist seems to be a vanishing act. The causes of this are varied. There is one "certain" Apostolic group that has an Evangelists Department, but theres only 4 or 5 evangelists listed. As I said, there are a variety of reasons why the ministry is one the decline, some of which are:

The Evangelists themselves. Many evangelists do harm to their own ministry by developing a competitive spirit. Many are novices, and know little, if anything, about respecting the Pastors responsibility of caring for the sheep. To "make a name for themselves", some enter churches and say and do things they think God has led them to do, only to leave a shambles for the pastor to clean up.

The evangelistic field is not a place to practice preaching. Its a rough life, and many use the field to develop their ministry, rather than developing their ministry under the tutelege of a pastor or seasoned evangelist. Once on the field, they aren't prepared for the situations they face. And the situations they face are many.

Money. The love of which is the root of all evil. But the evangelistic ministry takes money, sometimes, lots of it. And money is often in short supply "on the sawdust trail". This can be "offset" somewhat by softening the message to gain broader appeal, but, the road of compromise usually has no end. Some evangelists are lured by the "easy" money pastors make and find a church to pastor.

Pastors "guard" their sheep from the unknown evangelist. And, rightfully so. But, this presents a problem for the unknown evangelist. How is he to be come "known" if no one gives him a chance? True, this is a little easier if the evangelist is affliated with an Apostolic group.... but theres not many Apostolic groups that can sustain very many itinerant preachers. Which leads to another situation-

And evangelist joins, say, the ALJC. That dooms his chances of operating within the UPC group. He joins the UPC, the ALJC churches are reluctant to use him. I don't think it should be that way, but, unfortunately, thats the way it is.

Pastors sometimes blocks the evangelists by "swapping pulpits" with other pastors. Pastor Joe preaches a revival for Pastor Jim, and vica versa. Lets admit it... some pastors just aren't evangelists. And evangelists aren't pastors. The two callings are unique unto themselves.

I served as an evangelist for over 12 years. During that time, I never "charged" for my services, and never asked for a dime. We lived by faith. Money was a challenge at times, but, God never failed us. He supplied our every need. The problems listed above are from personal experience. I could elaborate more, but this is about the gist of it. Prior to entering the full-time field, I went away for a period of time to fast and pray. During that time, the Lord taught my ministry to me. This is one thing he showed me:

2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

I knew I was CALLED to preach. I started preaching at the age of 15. But, I sat under a pastor and was taught for several years before I entered the full time ministry. During that time, while I knew I was called to preach, I didn't know my ELECTION. What area of ministry God had ELECTED or chosen me for? Pastor? (Could have pastored a church at age 17, but declined, due to my young age? Teacher? No, didn't have the education. God taught me the evangelistic ministry. That was what He had elected me for. To do the work of an evangelist. Ministers, its not enough for us to be CALLED to preach. we need to know the office the Lord has ELECTED for us. Once we know that, we need to abide in our calling. When we make our callings and elections sure, we will never fail.

Well said OA, I am weary of evangelizing and we have only been doing it since 2003. Right now we have been at the same church for over 6 weeks. It's been a nice situation to regroup and not have to be moving our trailer every week or every two weeks. Thank God we received 2 prophecies about 7 or eight weeks ago that God was changing my husband's mantle to a pastoring mantle. I am ready to be planted.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by Rev

"hardly anyone would show up."

Shows the condition of the church!

People have lives and families....there is more to living for God than Church.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by AUTHORgio

Well said OA, I am weary of evangelizing and we have only been doing it since 2003. Right now we have been at the same church for over 6 weeks. It's been a nice situation to regroup and not have to be moving our trailer every week or every two weeks. Thank God we received 2 prophecies about 7 or eight weeks ago that God was changing my husband's mantle to a pastoring mantle. I am ready to be planted.

Thats a long time in a trailer.

[Esther]

I think too many pastors are trying to do it all. I'm afraid they are going to get burned out if not careful.

There is a five-fold ministry for a reason. You need all of them to have a healthy church.

As to women preachers, Sherri, they can't preach when men are afraid to open their pulpits to them.

As to being afraid of what the evangelist will do??? Don't know where that comes from.

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by erikwebster

I think the mistake is in thinking that the apostolic title of "evangelist" is reserved for guys who travel from town to town reaping the low hanging fruit that the home bible study teachers cultivate.

Skeptical, much? :O)

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

Try going 52 weeks hearing the same minister preach. No matter who they are no one can endure that...

Maybe I'm an exception here, but I think I'd endure it just fine. I'm actually a bit disappointed when someone other than my Pastor is preaching.

I understand that other ministers have to get a chance to develop their ministries, etc, and I understand guest preachers will come thru from time to time.. but if my pastor preached all 52 Sunday services per year and taught every Thursday nite bible study, I'd be quite ok with that.

[TRFrance]

My issue with some evangelists I've heard, is that many times I don't get the sense that they have the theological depth I like to see in a preacher.

I'm not saying they have to preach a doctrinally deep message all the time; but I like it when I get the sense that the evangelist has put in some serious study of the word, and has a solid doctrinal/theological foundation undergirding his ministry, rather than simply being skilled at just "stirring people up" with the right words and overused cliches.