Dear Friends,
My heart is always stirred by stories of conversion. The most glorious is, of course, that of Paul, related to us three times in that wonderful book of Acts. However, from Augustine of Hippo to Martin Luther to the heroes of the Evangelical Revival, the Lord has acted in the conversion of the heart. As a historian of the Revival it is from there that I find myself inspired beyond description by John Wesley (“my heart was strangely warmed and I knew that my sins, even mine, were forgiven”), John Newton (“amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me”), Charles Simeon (“hallelujah, hallelujah, Jesus Christ is risen today”), to the countless ordinary men and women who came under the saving grace of the gospel. I feel a book coming on!
Conversion and evangelism are closely connected. When we talk about mission and the whole range of holistic, evangelistic and pastoral issues that flow from that, it is essential that we do not lose sight of the essential nature of evangelism. What is the purpose of evangelism? Surely to make Christ known and to enable others to come into a saving relationship with him. In other words, conversion.
What are the prerequisites to evangelism, perhaps the particular things that an individual (even, perhaps a candidate for ordination) might need to be equipped with?
• A heart of compassion for the lost
• Understanding the gospel
• Ability to articulate the gospel succinctly
• Capability to lead a person to Christ
It is not that the ordained have the sole responsibility – indeed not, evangelism is the responsibility of the whole people of God. However, unless the ordained leaders of congregations both advocate and model the practice of evangelism, the local church will quickly lose its passion for seeing new converts to Jesus. So I do have some hard questions for those of us who are the ordained leaders of local congregations. How many people have come to Christ in your parishes in the last year? What place does evangelism have in the parish vision? What advocacy for evangelism is there? Do you model evangelism yourself? What training is given?
What role then can we play in a theological college? First, we can ensure that candidates meet the basic criteria set out in the four bullet points above. Second, we can ensure that we provide a whole range of opportunities for mission and evangelism and placements, at home and overseas, in parish and other settings, that give candidates exposure in practice. Third, we can model prayer, regular intercession for those who do not know Jesus, testimony – feedback from examples of the Lord’s work in the hearts of individuals – and give thanks to him.
In all my own years and experience of parish ministry, there is no greater joy than seeing people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. No greater joy!
With my love and prayers.
Richard Turnbull
Principal |
