The Pastor's Message

January 2010

 

When you hear the word 'Evangelism', what do you think of? I tend to remember televangelists like Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, whose financial infidelities led to their downfall and Jim's imprisonment. Or else I think of the folks who will knock on your door, hand you a pamphlet, diagnose the destination of your eternal soul with a few simple questions, and refuse to leave. In other words, my first thoughts aren't so good.

And yet evangelism is an important Christian practice that is essential to our fulfillment of the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. The word evangelism comes from a Greek New Testament word that means glad tidings or good news, as in the good news that Jesus proclaims throughout the countryside in Matthew 4:23. As the church we have good news, great news, life-changing news to share with our neighbors! And I think that evangelism is so important to the future of Sedona United Methodist Church that working with our Evangelism
Committee is one of my top priorities in 2010. Together we can all learn to be evangelists in caring, compassionate, appropriate ways.

Still, for many -- make that most -- people it can be hard to talk about faith matters with those outside the church. For those with the gift of evangelism, talking about the good news of Jesus Christ and inviting people into the life of the church comes easily, as easily as breathing. But for those without this gift -- which is most people -- sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ may not come as easily. If all this talk of evangelism makes you nervous, I can relate -- it doesn't come naturally to me either!

That's why I'm excited to hear about a book called Doable Evangelism that talks about how everyone, even those without the gift of evangelism, can be evangelists. According to the Doable Evangelism website, this kind of evangelism:

• Is for everyone (including the 90% who don't have the gift of evangelism)
• Needs to be doable (no programs, pitches, personalities or presentations to memorize...phew!)
• Has to be fun and natural (not weird ...phew, again!)

I'll be reading this book and bringing it to our church's Evangelism Committee in January. I'll also be talking
more about Doable Evangelism in a February sermon. In the meantime, please pray for the Evangelism
Committee (Bob Gesche, Cliff Cagle, Kay Branch, Wendy Treash, Doug McDaniel, Jim Fletcher, Trish Dykes,
Tom Bush, Matt Ashley) and its work in 2010.

Evangelism is an important part of our church's mission and ministry, and I hope you'll be open to learning about how you can share the Good News of Jesus Christ and help our church to grow. Evangelism is a responsibility we all share!

Grace and Peace,
Rev. Matt Ashley

Did you know ....that SUMC's Administrative Council has set a goal of bringing in 30 new members this year?