Rights of Evangelists

By Ellis Crum

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     An evangelist has many responsibilities with regard to the church and the spiritual duties he is to perform. We have noted his responsibility toward the eldership and his home congregation. There is likewise a responsibility upon the part of the congregation toward her evangelists. The average congregation is quick to see what is wrong with their evangelists, but do not evangelists have certain rights? What constitutes an evangelist's bill of rights?

     As a member of a local congregation the gospel preacher should have every right that belongs to the other members of the group. He should be informed of all activities affecting the membership. He has as much right to be heard as any other member of the congregation when it comes to making suggestions or voicing objections. Preachers should not assume that they have greater rights than other saints who are in subjection to the eldership. An evangelist has a right to know concerning the decisions of the business meetings. If he is away in the service of Christ he should be informed as to the program and plans of the local congregation. In important matters it might be well for the elders to contact him and get his views. It must be remembered that he is a member of the local body of Christ, and away in service, not absent through neglect of duty or indifference.

     Evangelists have a right to expect the bishops of their home congregation to make themselves available for consultation. The eldership should make the evangelist feel free to come to them with his problems. He has a right to expect the elders to defend him when in the right, and censure and rebuke him when in the wrong. An evangelist has the right to expect cooperation from his shepherds.

     It is only right and proper that the deacons enquire into the needs of all evangelists within the local membership. Elders and deacons should be concerned about the physical needs of these members of their family. While the evangelist is frequently not "living at home," this is all the more reason why enquiry should be made as to his needs. Parents are usually more concerned about their children when they are away from home. The same should hold true with the spiritual guides. No parent would stand by and see his children suffer; they would share what they had with their children, meager as it might be. They would rather suffer themselves than see their children in want. Elders and deacons should see to it that those in the gospel field do not suffer needlessly. If the congregation is unable to supply the needs of an evangelist, there is such a thing as scriptural cooperation. Nowhere do we read of evangelists asking for funds for themselves; however, we do read of Christians soliciting funds for others. Why should elders not ask sister congregations for assistance in supporting evangelists in the field when they find they are unable to support them by themselves?

     Evangelists have a right to expect the congregation to encourage them with their prayers and letters. The power of united prayer can make a great impact. Prayer is powerful! Sometimes the prayer life of professed Christians reminds me of children playing with dynamite. Paul pled for the prayers of the saints: "Brethren, pray for us." Gospel preachers today certainly need the prayers of all Christians. Most Christians pray fervently for a son or loved one who is on the battlefield. Should we not likewise pray for the soldiers of the cross who are on the front lines battling against great odds? A man who is away in the service of his country is always anxious for news from home. The Christian soldier also appreciates hearing from those back home. Many are his despondent moments, yet these can be put to flight by encouraging letters from even the blest disciples. When congregations won't support evangelists, individual Christians can supplement

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their support by enclosing a small gift in their letters of encouragement. How many times have such little-thought-of gifts been the means of providing food for a preacher's family, or gasoline to get to a meeting? There are many Bible examples for individual contributions. Note the case of Gaius: "Our beloved, you do faithfully that which you do to the brethren, especially to those who are strangers; who have borne witness concerning your love before the whole church: for the good things which you have done for them by supplying their needs, as is pleasing to God" - -(3 John vs. 5,6, according to Lamsa's translation from the Aramaic). We observe that the hospitality and good works of Gaius were announced to the church, not done through the church. There are many other cases of contributions and assistance given by individuals with divine approval.

     In congregations where an evangelist is endeavoring to do the work of "setting in order the things that are wanting," he has a right to expect the congregation to esteem him and submit unto him. If he is to "set in order" he must have authority. According to Titus 1:5 this arrangement is by divine authority; therefore, an evangelist has a right to expect bishopless congregations to respect and hearken unto him. Those who "despise government" will reject God's government regardless of how righteous the man, or whether an evangelist or elder. Evangelists have the right to expect cooperation from the saints wherever they are laboring. This is an absolute necessity in a new work where his task is "putting things right." There can be no efficient operation without cooperation. All Christians should desire to work together to further the Cause of our Redeemer.

     When an evangelist has been selected by the congregation and ordained by the presbyters, he has a right to expect the congregation to send him forth into the harvest fields. Here are some good questions: "how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall the preach, except they be sent?"-(Rom. 10:14, 15). The first congregations sent and sustained their workers. Few, if any, were sent alone to preach the gospel in a new area. Philip was dispersed, but "when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John" (Acts 8:14). Following the example of Jesus in sending out the seventy, the early church sent forth their workers in pairs or even larger numbers. Paul frequently had quite a group of helpers with him. How encouraging this would be! It is unfortunate that most places today feel that if they are supporting one evangelist, in an effort to start a new congregation, that they are doing all that could be done. Paul did not like to be left alone. If evangelists were privileged to work together as a group, great would be the gain for the gospel.

     The gospel preacher has a right to take his wife with him on his journeys. "Have I no right to take a believing wife with me on my journey, as the rest of the apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter do?" --(Centenary Translation, by Helen Montgomery, 1 Cor. 9:5). Congregations should welcome an evangelist and his family into their midst. They should endeavor to make them feel at home, not wish they were home! These are just a few of the rights of an evangelist. It is wrong for any individual or congregation to withhold these God-given rights or privileges. There should always be an equality.