Work of an Evangelist

By Ellis Crum

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     There are certain qualities which are needed in evangelists, but which are sadly lacking in some who attempt this work. A primary prerequisite for a proclaimer of the gospel is a deep love for God. This great motivating force will sustain and support him in the midst of trials and persecutions. When brethren forsake him, neglect him, speak evil of him, and impugn his motives, his love for God and the love of God, along with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit will constrain him to keep on keeping on. The evangelist's love for God will surpass his love for his wife or family. While his natural inclination is to be at home with his loved ones, his great love for God impels him to answer the call of duty even when it means temporary separation from his family. He would rather endure such a temporary separation than to be eternally separated from God.

     When the lawyer, representing the Pharisees enquired of the Master which was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matt. 22: 37-39). Another quality an evangelist must possess is a great love for his fellow man. This will naturally follow if there is a proper love for God. He must love all that God loves, and be concerned for those with which God is concerned. While an evangelist should be interested in winning doctors, lawyers, and other educated classes for Christ, he should never forget those on the "other side of the tracks." He must remember that one of the distinguishing features of Christ's ministry was that "the poor (had) the gospel preached to them" (Matt. 11:5). An evangelist must teach the congregation against respect of persons. "For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" (Jas.2: 2-4). Have we not seen such an attitude on the part of evangelists, elders, and other

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members of the body of Christ? You study with a fornicator or bring such a person to meeting and some "church members" will even say that they do not want that kind of "trash" around! Did not Jesus associate with publicans, sinners, harlots, and the very lowliest of persons in order to influence them for good? The way some shy away from such individuals and give them the "cold shoulder" will make it almost impossible to win such persons to Christ. The evangelist who is genuinely interested in his fellow man can do much to instill this needed love into the hearts of the brethren.

     The man who is sent forth as a herald of salvation must have a good working knowledge of the Word. He must be willing and able to "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:2). He who can effectively wield the "sword of the Spirit" is "throughly furnished unto all good works." He will be able to proclaim the truth and defend the faith. Besides a knowledge of the Word, an evangelist needs a knowledge of human nature. He must adapt the message to the man. The "canned sermon" will not be the proper diet for all persons. He must study the individual and his needs. It is not enough just to be able to give an answer to every man that asketh," but he must also know "how. . . to answer every man" (Col. 4:6). He must study a man's nature and temperament. Paul declared: "To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (I Cor. 9:22). An evangelist should strive to get next to people; he should eat the same things they eat, talk the same language they talk, and do the same things they do, as long as it is not contrary to conscience or scripture. One quality that is needed in evangelists today is that of a never-abating zeal. God's people have frequently been easily discouraged. A zealous leader is usually a powerful leader for either good or evil. Many in the church today have a "zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." Don't follow a man just because he is full of zeal or has a pleasing personality! Paul stated concerning his former days: 'Concerning zeal, persecuting the church" (Phil. 3:6). Zeal must be according to knowledge to be useful. Someone has said "Zeal is more easily caught than taught." Evangelists should bear this fact in mind and radiate enthusiasm by their words and actions.

     Most of the great men of the world have been men with a vision. The Wright brothers, Edison, and Ford were men with a dream, but they were not idle dreamers. They translated their dream into a reality! The gospel herald also needs to catch a vision. Too many preachers are having nightmares. Instead of giving the brotherhood a picture of the church as it should be, they are instilling fear and distrust into the hearts of many. Evangelists need to awaken the day dreamers, "knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep...the night is far spent, the day is at hand" (Rom. 13:11, 12).

     A proclaimer of the ancient gospel needs to be well fortified with determination. His brethren and fellowlaborers will perhaps unconsciously discourage him. An evangelist must be determined to go ahead and do what he knows is right regardless of what others say or do. He needs a simple, trusting faith in God and His Word. He needs a keep-looking-up-spirit. If he looks down or around about him he is likely to get scared. A faithful companion can be a great source

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of encouragement and inspiration, and of course all have "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." An evangelist (as well as all Christians) needs to be strong in the faith--an example to the believers. It has been said, "Faith is dead to doubt, dumb to discouragements, blind to impossibilities. Faith makes the Uplook good, the Outlook bright, and the Future glorious." May we all have such a faith!