Work of Evangelists

By Ellis Crum

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     In addition to the evangelist's primary labors among the unsaved and in congregations without elders and deacons, there is also a work for him to do in churches with elders. While this work will not be as extensive, and of course he will have no authority in congregations with officers, he nonetheless has a right to visit them, "and see how they do." Especially is this true where he has planted the congregation. Paul once said to Barnabas: "Now, therefore, retracing our steps, let us look in on our brethren for the purpose of seeing what they are in need of and supplying that need, city by city in which we have publicly proclaimed the word of the Lord, observing how they are getting along" (Acts 15:36, Wuest's Expanded Translation of the Greek N. T.).

     When an evangelist is visiting a congregation with elders, he must remember that he is to work under the supervision of these spiritual superintendents. Should an evangelist happen to be present when a congregation is having a business meeting, he should remember that he is a visitor, not a member of the local congregation. Even if he has been invited to sit in on such a meeting, he should remain silent unless asked to speak. He should not attempt to influence decisions that are strictly local. I have heard of more than one preacher who has attempted to affect the outcome of a work or program where he has no authority and is not even a member! An evangelist out of order is just as bad as any erring disciple. His position or office does not give him authority in an area where God has not delegated. Preachers are out of order when they try and select officers in congregations where they are trying to set things in order. They are also out of place when they do anything more than investigate and appoint officers in older congregations, which have called them with a view to making a plurality or increasing the number of elders or deacons. Of course it is the responsibility of the evangelist to refuse to appoint any who are not qualified. We will have more to say about the selection and appointment of officers at a later date. Suffice it to say for now that the appointing power and selecting power are two separate acts.

     In congregations where there is trouble in the eldership which cannot be settled by themselves, the New Testament scriptures authorize the calling of an evangelist to hear charges against the elders. "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (1 Tim. 5:19, 20). The statement authorizing the hearing of the charges by an evangelist would of necessity authorize two or more members to prefer charges against sinful shepherds. Some of the tasks that befall an evangelist are not pleasant; nevertheless, if he is going to "do the work of an evangelist," he must be ready for service at all times. In hearing accusations the evangelist must heed the Spirit-given charge issued by Paul: "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that you observe these suggestions without discrimination; that you act with no favoritism" (1 Tim. 5:21, Berkeley Version). He must avoid the age-old timesaver, prejudice, which enables him to form opinions without bothering to get the facts.

     An evangelist should warn his hearers, young and old, against forming snap judgment and "swallowing" everything they hear. When a shark swallows an urchin fish it rolls up in a ball. However when inside the shark it unrolls and destroys from within. We, too, should be careful what we swallow! There are some things that we should definitely not swallow. We should not swallow fiction for fact, or error for truth. There are other things that we should swallow. Someone has said, "Swallowing angry words is much easier than having to eat them." Among other things that Christians need to swal-

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low is pride. Preachers need to check themselves lest their zeal be motivated by pride or for self- advancement. Early in his work the gospel preacher needs to learn that there are many bitter "pills" to swallow. Once there was a poor family who received an invitation to dine with a well-to-do-family. In preparation for the occasion the mother had warned the children to use proper table manners and not do anything that would disgrace the family. While eating his salad a young lad felt something quivering on his tongue. He remarked later that he just swallowed it in order to preserve the family's good name. Would to God that all evangelists and Christians would learn to "swallow" more things for the kingdom's sake. There are many things that are hard to "take." The Scripture says, "if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God" (1 Pet. 2:20). If we had to eat all the hasty words we utter and all the poisonous words we pen about our brethren, it would be a pretty bitter diet. One thing that is hard for me to "stomach" is the preacher who has never misapplied a Scripture, never taught an error, and never held a wrong attitude. Usually this type of preacher will "bite and devour" and really "chew-up" his fellow worker, yet he is unable to see any specific faults of his own. Preachers need to work together--not just teach others to get along with one another.

     Evangelists need to work with elders too; they have a responsibility toward their eldership and home congregation. Many do not seriously consider this obligation; they act as if they were a law unto themselves. God has a perfect system of checks and balances in all of His creation. In the government of the kingdom of heaven on earth there are divine safety measures which prevent unscrupulous men from making havoc of the local congregation. Elders set apart evangelists, and evangelists in turn ordain elders which have been selected by the local membership. Evangelists need to counsel with their elders. The apostles and elders conferred according to Acts 15. Elders should make themselves available and should so act that ALL members would feel free to approach them with any problem.

     Following the example of Paul and Barnabas, evangelists should report their work to their home congregations. "Upon their arrival they called the Church together and proceeded to report in detail all that God, working with them, had done, and how He had opened for the Gentiles a door of faith. And they remained a considerable time in Antioch with the diseiples" --(Weymouth's N. T. in Modern Speech, Acts 14:27, 28). The bishops of my home congregation seldom fail to call on me to report concerning my evangelistic labors when I return to the assembly. If great periods of time elapse when there is no contact with the home congregation, it would seem wise for the evangelist to write his brethren regarding his activities. It should be noted that Paul and Barnabas reported to the whole assembly, not just a brief report at an "officers' meeting." The brethren will feel more like getting behind those in the field if they know more about their efforts in the kingdom. While some preachers are at fault for not reporting, (they do not want to be subject to anyone) it may he that some of the blame falls upon the bishops for not requesting or providing opportunity to outline their work. Congregations who love the Lord will want to know of the progress and hardships of their evangelists; they will want to assist them in every way possible. Those who are doing "the work of an evangelist" will not be ashamed to give an account of themselves.