2 November 2000 Editorial:
Do the Work of an Evangelist #2

Pr. Larry Kirkpatrick

I was going to share with you this week some of what we are doing what we are doing in Collision With Prophecy. But I realized that first I should share some of the underlying philosophy. So here is a bit of that first. Maybe we'll share specifically about CWP next week.

To some of us, it seems that we are due for a more "Adventist" evangelism. What would that look like? We think it would bear some of there characteristics:

Our churches would be measured by involvement in lay-evangelism as opposed to how many members they have. Try these quotes on for size.

The real character of the church is measured, not by the high profession she makes, nor by the names enrolled upon the church book, but by what she is actually doing for the Master, by the number of her faithful, persevering workers. Personal work, and vigilant, individual effort, will effect more for the cause of Christ than can be accomplished by sermons or creeds. Signs of the Times 21 April 1887.

God would be better pleased to have six truly converted to the truth as the result of their labors, than to have sixty make a nominal profession, and yet not be thoroughly converted. Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 317.

Its clear that she preferred quality over quantity. We should double-check what we are doing when we baptize the unready.

We must share the unique understanding of the gospel that our Father has given to us.

Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world and brought them into connection with Himself. He has made them His representatives and has called them to be ambassadors for Him in the last work of salvation. The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world; and in the accomplishment of this work our publishing houses are among the most effective agencies. Publishing Ministry, p. 41

Why will we waste our time trying to be like all the other churches? Does that make any sense? If we will be Adventist about what we are doing, God will bless. If we'll just knowingly join in with the confused crowd instead, what can we expect but that He will not endorse our efforts?

Our methods must be just--non-manipulative.

If we are up front with people, and they are interested in the message, they'll probably stay. If we have to trick them into becoming members of our church, then we are already bankrupt.

There is a class of people who are always ready to go off on some tangent, who want to catch up something strange and wonderful and new; but God desires us all to move calmly, considerately, choosing our words in harmony with the solid truth for this time. The truth should be presented to the mind as free as possible from that which is emotional, while still bearing the intensity and solemnity befitting its character. We must guard against encouraging extremists, those who would be either in the fire or in the water. Evangelism, p. 611.

If we want people to take seriously the truth of our message, then we want to take them seriously, and not treat them like cattle. Treat people with respect. Let them know we expect them to think‹not to follow along like lemmings blindly shuffling along over the edge of the cliff.

While it may not be the primary thought in the quotation above, certainly a portion of that thought is the idea that in evangelistic presentation we are mandated to present the truth to the mind as free as possible from that which is emotional. This has implications for not only what we say in our main evangelistic presentation each evening, but also for the methods we use in our evangelism. Is it consistent to use a so-called "Christain" rock music that sensualizes, and then present the truth of Scripture? Will we call the fleshly response to this the moving of the Holy Spirit?

Torch-passing is more important than head-counting or giving a numbly positive report.

First things first: the content of the message must be primary. Everything else must be secondary. Remember, it is the message that, in contact with a willing person and the Holy Spirit brings inward change.

To finish right, start right

I lift my warning voice against such a life, and beseech my brethren and sisters to diligently search their own hearts, and see if they have a living faith, which works, yes, works by love, and purifies the soul. May God impress our ministers to teach the young converts by precept and example, that they must start right on the Christian course, and continue right, if they would end right. True conversion of soul is essential; theoretical religion will not take the place of heart-work. We all need to connect more closely with God, and then we may teach others the art of believing. The true, humble, earnest Christian will be receiving the mold of a perfect character, and his heart will ever be conforming to the image of Christ. His life will flow out in channels of beneficence and love. Such will be established in God. The work which grace began, if combined with earnest effort to press close to Jesus, glory shall finish in the kingdom of God. RH, June 3, 1880.

Presumably we want our fellow members of the covenant to be staunch and true and authentic Seventh-day Adventists--not satanic decoys. So we must present the key principles of the faith without cutting the corners. If people are going to become SDA, then they must be shown true SDA hemeneutics (rules of interpretation). If we show them how Adventists "got there" (to being Adventist), then they needn't rely on pastors and teachers . Mind you, pastors and teachers have a place. But the those whom we hold as lightbearers need to be tested by the light-bearing documents we have--the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy. Then we'll know if they're lightbearers. Simple. (GC p. 597).

The above principles are some of those we want to think about. May God help us to make "Adventists" again.