Ray Baumann has written
an excellent article on urgency in evangelism. How many times have you heard a pastor talk about "becoming someone's friend", perhaps even over years, before sharing the gospel with them? Yet, Ray's article includes the following and takes the words right out of my mouth:
"
My approach of building relationships as a form of evangelism was resting on the fact that tomorrow is guaranteed. I cannot guarantee tomorrow. Tomorrow could be the end of my life, their life, or the world. Only God knows what tomorrow holds. Thinking that tomorrow is guaranteed is like playing God. That is not my place.
Having a sense of urgency with the good news has left the church because of its lackadaisical approach, believing that tomorrow is guaranteed. Church goers have been convinced that evangelism means inviting people to church. I would say quit inviting people to church and share the good news with passion, one on one. Churches are trying every shortcut possible when it comes to evangelism and are attempting to mass produce converts. Churches offer event after event and plead with the congregation to bring their neighbors for the chance that they may hear the gospel."
Read the rest of the article here.
