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Pethers: Best evangelistic model is changed lives
By Heather Smathers
Attendees at the ACE Conference in Phoenix on Nov. 12 took part in several sessions on evangelism.
"Toward a Culture of Faith Sharing," led by Dennis Pethers, was one such session. Pethers, founder of Viz-A-Viz ministries, reminded attendees that "the purpose of the church is to reach lost people."
Pethers said a common theme he sees in churches in America is that churches often differentiate between evangelism and discipleship, which he argues should be the same thing.
"People decide evangelism is hard, so they choose to be good disciples," he said. "I've always thought they were the same."
He said evangelism appears harder now than in years past because fewer people overall in society are going to church and there is not as much basic knowledge of Christianity. He added that most people are intimidated by the idea of evangelism.
"When it comes to faith sharing, a lot of Christians don't like doing it," Pethers said.
One reason for the dislike is the perception that people are not interested in hearing the gospel message and they are intimidated, he said.
Pethers said if all followers of Jesus Christ would be evangelists, American churches would "be being a church, not just playing church."
Evangelism training, like many other traditions of church, needs to be rethought and reorganized, he said.
"So much of what we have inherited about church no longer works, but we still do them," Pethers said. "The evangelism model must change; it's just not a part of the culture."
Pethers said the best model for evangelism is to demonstrate changed lives because of a faith in Jesus, which he says authenticates Jesus' message.
He listed four steps people can take to share Christ: living the Christian life, talking about how our lives are lived because Jesus lives in us, explaining who Jesus is, and teaching how others can know Jesus too. Evangelism is often a long process, he noted.
"Sharing the story of what God is doing in your life is important," Pethers said.
Pethers said there are opportunities to spread the gospel everywhere if people would be willing to get out of their comfort zones and start sharing Jesus. He said he finds ways to incorporate Jesus into conversations during his everyday routines.
"Do something you enjoy and take Jesus with you," Pethers said.
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