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The Discipleship Plan: Evangelism as the Heart of the Church


A man deeply engaged in study, reflecting on the importance of evangelism in discipleship, with a Bible and related materials at a conference.
A man deeply engaged in study, reflecting on the importance of evangelism in discipleship, with a Bible and related materials at a conference.

Evangelism lies at the heart of the church’s mission, forming an inseparable component of discipleship. According to Ott and Wilson (2013), church planting involves establishing multiplying communities of God’s Kingdom, comprised of believers committed to fulfilling biblical purposes under local spiritual leadership (p. 217). This perspective underscores the vital link between discipleship and evangelism, emphasizing that spiritual maturity and the multiplication of new disciples are central to the church's existence.

For Seventh-day Adventists, evangelism is a defining mission. Every Adventist church must have an intentional plan that integrates all members into the mission of saving souls. While the gift of evangelism is specific to some, the call to evangelize is universal among believers (Matthew 28:18-20). Without a robust culture of evangelism, churches risk stagnation, focusing inwardly and losing their transformative potential in the world.


This article explores how to create a detailed evangelism strategy within the discipleship framework. It will focus on three critical elements: personal evangelism, community engagement, and public proclamation campaigns, while integrating Adventist theological principles.


1. Personal Evangelism: A Way of Life


Evangelism must transcend occasional activities to become an integral part of every believer’s life. As Paul instructed Timothy:

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2, KJV).


Building Relationships


Effective evangelism begins with relationships. However, many Adventists have limited connections outside their church communities, focusing instead on internal fellowship. Ellen G. White highlights the need to prioritize outreach:

“If nine-tenths of the effort that has been put forth in behalf of those who know the truth had been directed toward those who have never heard the truth, how much greater would have been the advancement!” (White, 1985, p. 55).


Steps to Foster Personal Evangelism


  1. Encourage Intentional Connections: Teach members to engage meaningfully with non-believing friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

  2. Model Evangelistic Lifestyles: Church leaders should exemplify evangelistic living by forming connections outside their congregations.

  3. Testify Naturally: Equip members to share their faith through their daily actions and conversations (1 Peter 3:15).


2. Community Engagement: The Church on Mission


The local church must actively engage with its surrounding community. Ellen G. White urges believers to innovate in their approach:

“Every worker in the Lord’s vineyard must study, plan, and devise methods to reach the people where they are” (White, 2007a, pp. 122-123).


Community-Focused Evangelism Strategies


  1. Incarnational Projects

    • Examples include health expos, food distribution, community clean-ups, and wellness programs.

    • Partner with local organizations to address pressing community needs.

  2. Small Group Evangelism

    • Form groups dedicated to engaging with the community, offering Bible studies, or fostering supportive relationships.

  3. Open Church Programs

    • Make the church a hub for community activities, such as free educational workshops, support groups, or cultural events.


Outcomes of Community Engagement

  • Builds trust and credibility between the church and the local community.

  • Increases the church’s relevance and visibility.

  • Provides opportunities for collective witness (Matthew 5:13-16).


3. Public Evangelism: Strategic Proclamation


Public evangelism serves as a pivotal aspect of the Adventist approach to mission. However, its success hinges on preceding efforts to saturate the community through personal and community engagement.


Principles of Effective Public Evangelism


  1. Community Preparation

    • Public campaigns should culminate prior relational and community-focused initiatives.

  2. Member Participation

    • Ensure active involvement of church members in inviting, assisting, and supporting the evangelistic series.

  3. Follow-Up for Retention

    • Integrate new converts into small groups and ministries to foster spiritual growth and prevent disengagement.


Best Practices


  • Tailor evangelistic series to the local cultural and spiritual context, employing themes that resonate with the audience (Kimball, 2003, p. 216).

  • Utilize multimedia, testimonials, and creative elements to enhance message delivery.

  • Train members to conduct follow-up Bible studies and build lasting relationships with attendees.


4. The Adventist Perspective on Evangelism


Adventists view evangelism as an integral part of God’s mission to restore humanity. Ellen G. White wrote extensively about the wholistic nature of this mission, addressing physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects (White, 2013). This comprehensive understanding aligns with the phrase popularized by the 1974 Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization:

“The whole gospel, for the whole person, to the whole world” (Stott, 2007b, p. 17).


Balancing Proclamation and Service


David Bosch (2002) defines evangelism as bearing witness to what God has done, is doing, and will do, integrating kerigma (proclamation), koinonia (fellowship), and diakonia (service) (pp. 493-494). This tripartite focus ensures that evangelism is neither reduced to social action nor limited to verbal proclamation.


Adventist Evangelism in Practice


This approach manifests in Adventist institutions such as hospitals, schools, media outlets, and humanitarian agencies, demonstrating the church’s commitment to meeting diverse human needs while proclaiming the gospel (Kuhn, 2016).


5. Structuring Evangelism in the Church


Evangelism as the Church’s Core


Evangelism should be central to all church ministries, as highlighted in the Adventist Church Manual:


“The first item on the agenda of every church board meeting should be evangelism” (Church Manual, 2015, pp. 131-136).

Practical Steps


  1. Strategic Sermon Planning

    • Develop sermon series focused on the gospel, mission, and discipleship within the Adventist eschatological framework.

  2. Continuous Training

    • Equip members with tools for personal and community evangelism through workshops and coaching.

  3. Regular Evaluation

    • Assess the effectiveness of evangelistic efforts using tools like Engel’s Scale to track progress (Engel, 1979, p. 82).


Conclusion


Evangelism is the lifeblood of the church’s mission and the engine of discipleship. By integrating personal, communal, and public evangelism into a cohesive strategy, the church fulfills its purpose of glorifying God and expanding His Kingdom.

Implementing these principles will produce not only numerical growth but also spiritual maturity, equipping members to actively participate in God’s mission. As the Adventist movement continues to prioritize evangelism, it reaffirms its prophetic identity as a community called to proclaim Christ’s soon return and the hope of restoration.


References


  • Bosch, D. J. (2002). Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

  • Engel, J. F. (1979). Contemporary Christian Communications: Its Theory and Practice. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

  • Gibbs, E. (2012). ChurchNext: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

  • Kimball, D. (2003). The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

  • Kuhn, M. L. (2016). Adventist Mission in the 21st Century. Silver Spring, MD: Adventist Mission.

  • Ott, C., & Wilson, G. (2013). Global Church Planting: Biblical Principles and Best Practices for Multiplication. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

  • Stott, J. (2007b). The Lausanne Covenant: An Exposition and Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

  • White, E. G. (1985). Evangelism. Washington, DC: Review and Herald Publishing Association.

  • White, E. G. (2007a). Christian Service. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association.

  • White, E. G. (2013). The Acts of the Apostles. Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate.

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