Evangelism According to Me

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, religious tracts were printed by the truckload for eager evangelists–many of them Baptists–itching to bring the masses to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Back then, we followed a sort of scare-them-out-of-hell methodology that led to high numbers of front porch conversions, if not long-term transformation.

religious tract

In time, many practitioners realized that this eternal damnation avoidance strategy wasn’t exactly life-giving. This understanding led to an opposite mentality: best not to mention Jesus at all than to scare people into false faith. (All or nothing thinking. It’s caused its share of problems.)

Here the good news: there is a middle ground. Think about it: we aren’t scared of sharing good news in general. For example, I think everyone should try the restaurant Nine Mile. I don’t try to find out if they like Caribbean food before I recommend it either. It’s a fantastic restaurant in my opinion, and I want everyone to enjoy it as much as I have. I feel that way about the Biltmore Estate too. And also Disney World. And the movie Finding Nemo. I realize that some of these things are quite pricey and will require some sacrifice for people to enjoy them, but that doesn’t keep me from encouraging people to try experiences that have given me joy.

Even so, I don’t go through the neighborhood, ringing doorbells, and asking people if they’ve ever been to Nine Mile. I don’t stop people in Aldi and suggest they make a plan now to get to Biltmore Estate during this lifetime. And I don’t foist free copies of Finding Nemo on perfect strangers, promising them that this movie will make their lives better (it would of course, but still . . . ). However, if I’m in a relationship with you, I’m eventually going to mention my favorite restaurants, vacation spots, and movies. And if we are really close, I’ll do my best to see that you get to enjoy those things at some point, preferably with me. 

To me, evangelism is like that. Because I love church, I want everyone to experience it. Because I love Bible study, I want others to study with me. And because I have found meaning, truth, hope, and joy through my faith in the triune God–Creator, Son, Holy Spirit–I want people I know and love to join me on this faith journey: not because they are scared they will burn in hell, but because they are drawn into the sacred Love of God.  

By Aileen MItchell Lawrimore

Aileen Mitchell Lawrimore is a mother x 3, wife x 35 (years not men), minister, speaker, writer, retreat leader, and lover of beagles and books. She has a lot to say.