Methods of Evangelism (pros and cons)

(See part 1 - Motivations for Evangelism)

II.        The Methods of Evangelizing
 
"Evangelism" (1828) -To instruct in the gospel; to preach the gospel to, and convert to a belief of the gospel; as, to evangelize heathen nations; to evangelize the world.
           
There are many ways in which we attempt to evangelize the world.  Some ways are more confrontational than others.  In the following list of methods, we are going to try to start with some of the least confrontational methods and work our way up to the "more     advanced" forms of evangelism.  If we are going to effectively reach the lost, we should probably be doing a combination of these:
 
            A.         Lifestyle Evangelism - In the process of everyday life, our                                 testimony sometimes opens doors to be able to give the                                   Gospel message (explained more in the next lesson, "The                                 Message of Evangelism")
                        1.         Examples:
                                    a.         Others (family, classmates, co-workers,                                                               neighbors...) see us living godly and are                                                             attracted to it.
                                    b.         Inviting others to a service at our church where                                                 preaching the Gospel is involved
                                    c.         Building relationships with people in an attempt                                                 to witness to them later.     
                                    d.         Wearing clothing that promotes questions                                                           (message on T-shirt, button/pin, wrist                                                                   band...even peculiarly "modest" clothing)
                        2.         Pros
                                    a.         Biblical examples:
                                                1).        Wife reaching her husband (1 Pet. 3:1-5)
                                                2).        Man that was blind (John 9:8-10)
                                                3).        Inviting others to "come and see" (John                                                               1:45,46)     
                                    b.         Christians should be living for Christ anyway,                                                     so this should be the easiest method and a                                                         minimum of our evangelizing methods.
                        3.         Cons
                                    a.         It can become an excuse not to properly                                                             confront people.
                                    b.         As a result of this, it often doesn't go far                                                             enough and is not effective.
                                    c.         Christians often don't "shine" in the world as                                                     they should.
 
            B.         Broadcasting   (Radio, TV, internet, phone...)
                        1.         Pros
                                    a.         Though this technology wasn't necessarily                                                         available in Bible days, we can make a pretty                                                     good guess that if Paul were here today he                                                         would use every means necessary to reach the                                                   lost with the Gospel.
                                                1).        Paul said he had become "All things to                                                               all men" (1 Cor. 9:19-22).
                                                2).        Paul's approach to evangelism in Athens                                                             (Acts 17:16,17)
                                    b.         Power of numbers (the more you contact, the                                                     more chances of successfully reaching                                                               someone with the gospel).
                                    c.         Broadcasting can reach many people (all over                                                     the world) that you wouldn't otherwise have                                                       opportunity to reach.
                                    d.         We live in an age where broadcasting doesn't                                                     have to be expensive (could cost next to                                                             nothing)
                                                1)         Social media is free.
                                                2)         Video and sound editors are free.
                                                3)         Fairly good quality videos can be made                                                               from our phones (that we already have                                                                 and use anyway).
                        2.         Cons
                                    a.         This could be expensive.
                                    b.         There are obviously dangers associated with                                                     the use of modern technology.
                                                1)         It can easily become a time-waster and                                                               be counterproductive
                                                2)         It can encourage you, and those to                                                                       whom you are witnessing, to take in                                                                     ungodly things.
                                    c.         This could become an excuse to be lazy and                                                       non-confrontational.
                                    d.         We cannot really connect with people in the                                                       same way that we can face to face.        
            C.         Tract/Flyer distribution ("blitzing")
                        1.         Pros
                                    a.         People do read gospel tracts and get saved!
                                    b.         This is a very easy way to get the Gospel to a                                                     lot of people
                                    c.         In the process of passing out the literature you                                                   often meet people who will talk to you about                                                       what you are doing.
                                    d.         This could lead to "personal evangelism" which                                                 will be discussed more in detail later.
                        2.         Cons
                                    a.         There is a minimal cost involved which could                                                     hinder mass production of good quality                                                               material.
                                    b.         Although people do get saved reading tracts,                                                     the percentage is very low.
                                    c.         Much of the material ends up blowing into the                                                     yard and becomes unsightly litter.
                                    d.        This could become another excuse not to be                                                      confrontational in our approach.
            D.         Public Preaching
                        1.         Examples:
                                    a.         Church "revivals."
                                    b.         Evangelism "Crusades."
                                    c.         Street preachers
                        2.         Pros
                                    a.         Usually involves effective preachers who can                                                     connect well with people.
                                    b.         Unsaved people who have come are more likely                                                 willing to hear what the preacher has to say.
                                    c.         Prospects are usually recorded and follow-up                                                     visits can be made.
                        3.         Cons
                                    a.         Many feel out of place in a "church setting."
                                    b.         Many don't know how to respond properly to                                                     the message.
                                    c.         An alter call can be a hindrance to introverted                                                     people and a false security for extroverts.
            E.         Public Speaking/Debate (Not to be confused with public                                   preaching, this is more like a trial or a hearing in which one                             attempts to prove their faith before a particular audience and                           where someone else may then have an opportunity to make                             some opposing arguments).
                        1.         Examples:
                                    a.         Paul at Areopagus (Mars' Hill) (Acts 17).
                                    b.         Paul before Felix, Festus, Agrippa... (Acts 23-                                                     26).
                                    c.         1 Peter 3:15.
                                                1) Sanctify the word in your heart.
                                                2) Be ready (not necessarily to have the                                                                   particulars of your presentation planned out,                                                     but to know the facts and the issues before                                                         being asked of them).
                                                3) Give an answer (regarding the hope that is in                                                     you).
                                    d.         Present day examples: Ken Ham, Kent Hovind,                                                   Ravi Zacharias, Craig Lane...
                        2.         Pros:
                                    a.         People are not typically there out of obligation,                                                   but there to hear what the speakers have to say.
                                    b.         Speakers have opportunity to clearly present                                                     their position.
                        3.         Cons:
                                    a.         Everything the speaker says will be criticized                                                     publicly by someone else who has an opposing                                                 view.
                                    b.         People typically have their minds made up                                                         regarding which position they favor.
                                    c.         Although your position might be considered by                                                 some of your audience, most people will not                                                       change their position, but will simply learn how                                                 to better debate their position.
 
            F.         Personal Evangelism
                        1.         Examples:       
                                    a.         Jesus and the woman at the well.
                                    b.         Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.      
                                    c.         Paul and Silas and the Philippian Jailer (we'll                                                     talk about the power of evangelizing "partners"                                                 later).
                        2.         Pros:
                                    a.         Many other methods will lead to this method                                                       eventually.
                                    b.         The "one-on-one" approach is usually the most                                                 effective method of evangelizing people.
                                    c.         We can be more assured that the person being                                                   evangelized understands what we are saying.
                                    d.         If they don't understand, we can usually answer                                                 questions or clarify ourselves.
                                    e.         We can personally witness conversions and get                                                 information for future discipleship (we'll cover                                                   discipleship later in the series).
                        3.         Cons:
                                    a.         Many are turned off by a "high-pressured sales                                                   approach."
                                    b.         We physically see more rejection than most                                                       methods.
                                    c.         More knowledge of the Bible and doctrine are                                                     required.
                                    d.         Takes more physical effort to reach people "one                                                 by one."

Feel free to add some methods you can think of or comment about any of these.  Lord bless, and may your passion for ministry grow as you addict yourself to it. 1 Corinthians 16:15
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