At the 2014 Ohio Winter Lectureship I was invited to speak
on the topic “The Christian and Opportunities for Outreach”. When I research a topic, I like to consult a
variety of sources. Of course, I always
place a premium on brotherhood materials.
One year at the Freed-Hardeman University Lectureship I was introduced to
the new editor of The Gospel Gleaner,
Andrew D. Erwin. I obtained a copy of his
book as we got acquainted. When I was
preparing for my lecture, this book is one that I found to be very practical
and helpful without all the unscriptural approaches and falsehoods of church
growth groups outside of the church. For
example, I read one book from a denominational/community church author. The writer did not mention baptism a single
time, ever. There was an emphasis on
loving the Lord, how to help develop this love in others who need to obey the
gospel, but no reference to baptism at all.
One wonders if they have not read what Jesus said on more than one
occasion--“If
you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15, NKJV.) Perhaps they have read this, but they failed
to notice that baptism is a command given by Jesus Christ just prior to His
ascension—“He
who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned” (Mark 16:16, NKJV.)
Another of the books I read spoke of a national survey that concluded
two surprising statistics. One was that
82 percent of the “unchurched” would be “somewhat likely” to come to worship if
they received a personal invitation. The
other statistic found that only 21 percent of people invited anyone to church
within a year. Someone commented to me
that they thought these numbers were too high, but I asked which number—the people
who would come if asked or the people who were doing asking? The point remains—when is the last time you personally invited someone to
church! Sometimes we can become
pessimistic. Now, the person who
commented to me about these numbers was not asking out of pessimism; however,
we sometimes allow ourselves to become pessimistic. One of the quotes I wanted to read during my
lecture from Erwin’s book, but was unable to because of time, was this
one: “Pessimism
is never kept quiet. When a brother is
pessimistic, he will no doubt discourage another brother (see Numbers
13—14). As Christians, we are commanded
to encourage and provoke one another unto love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). When a brother discourages another brother
because of his lack of faith in things good, he is sinning against God. It is no doubt disturbing and discouraging to
Christians who want to see the church grow and yet are privy to the many times
their congregation’s eldership’s business meetings are filled with discussions
critiquing why good work(s) cannot work.
We ask, instead of thinking about all the reason why a good work cannot
work, why not discuss all the reasons why a good work can work?” (p. 41). The question remains on the table—when was
the last time you personally invited someone to worship services? By personal, this does mean the sign out
front, the service times in the bulletin or on the web site. Those are impersonal invitations. We are speaking of personal invitations. Of
course, the more you know the person, the greater the personal invitation has of succeeding!
Erwin’s Each One Reach
One contains several excellent chapters with discussions questions at the
end of each chapter. There are also five
lessons in the back of the book to assist a person to do a personal Bible Study
with someone. This book would make an
excellent Bible Class study to train workers for the vineyard. Beware—personal evangelism involves you,
personally. I always have appreciated
the title of Ivan Stewart’s book, Go Ye
Means Go Me. We must go!
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