A Word that Inspires Fear and Challenge

"...."But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Christianity has accumulated an impressive set of words and phrases making up a vocabulary that when used can both confuse and frighten listeners. The ones that confuse - that even the great theologians among us sometimes stumble over (present company excluded) - include concepts such as "salvation," "dogma," "eschatology," "annunciation" --- or how about a favorite word of our pastor -- "grace!" What is meant by "God’s grace?" I have no doubt that Cynthia Jarvis knows the answer to that question, but how well would you do trying to explain it?

I have heard a story of someone who gave it a try. The setting was a congregational gathering. It was an inter-generational Christian education event where a guest speaker was leading an interactive program, inviting those in attendance to participate with questions and comments. At one point the subject turned to the sinfulness of humankind and the need for God’s grace. As soon as the words "God’s grace" were out of his mouth, this church leader asked those gathered around "Does anyone here know what grace means?" A second grade student, who was obviously a regular in her church school class, stood up and anxiously waved her hand. "I know, I know! " Grace is unmerited favor from God!" The speaker couldn’t believe what he just heard and asked the young girl to join him up front. "That was a great answer," the child was told. "Now tell everybody what that means." The little girl folded her hands and shrugged, "I don’t have a clue." I think that is the case for most of us. We know the standard answer but still don’t have a clue.

Here’s another one --- How about "justified by faith?" " Do you have a clue about that one? There is a similar story that a respected church leader tells about when he was addressing conference in a major city on the subject of "justification," and there was a journalist in attendance representing a local newspaper. "I preached justification emphatically - clearly - earnestly - and I hoped, persuasively," the church dignitary explained. "And so it was therefore rather discouraging to learn from the newspaper account that I had spoken the night before on the theme of ‘Just-a-vacation-by-faith!’" ----- I think there is probably a whole sermon by itself on that one: JUST-A-VACATION-BY-FAITH ----- Justification by faith!

There are still other words in our Christian vocabulary, that are not only confusing but also often frightening to Christians - and particularly to church members - and, strangely enough, two of them are my favorites --- STEWARDSHIP and EVANGELISM. Those of you who know me and my ministerial background, know that stewardship is a subject I love to talk about. In fact, you have heard me talk of it here at this church on various occasions. But that’s not my topic today, rather it is that other word that makes many Christians --- and especially Presbyterians --- cringe: EVANGELISM!

Evangelism -- The word comes from the Greek, "euangelos," which means a messenger or angel bringing good news. Somehow that’s not the image I have of those folk who like to call themselves "Television Evangelists." For example, Jimmy Swaggert, for me, is not a messenger or angel bringing good news. But I guess it is hard to see myself being defined as an angel bringing good news as well --- yet that is what I am called to be --- and that is what YOU are called to be as well --- an evangelist!

Kathleen Norris, a one-time NY Times best selling author -- and who also happens to be a Presbyterian minister, has a book out this year about "our vocabulary of faith" which she has titled, "Amazing Grace." "Evangelism" is one of the words about which she writes:

The bad news about evangelism might be personified as the stereotypical glad-handing Christian proselytizer, who, if we take what he says to heart, will soon have us spouting a strange new tongue, all but inaccessible to our family and friends: "I’m saved," "born again," "washed in the blood of the Lamb." We will be reduced to preaching on street corners, which is, after all, a time-honored way of evangelizing.

Once I could recognize evangelism not as a matter of talking about faith but of living it, I could happily connect it with Ezra Pound’s great admonishment to poets: "do not describe, present," which in writing workshops is often translated as "show, don’t tell." In writing, it means allowing the reader an experience of their own rather than attempting to control the response. In evangelism, it means living in such a way that others may be attracted to you and your values, but not taking this as a license to preach to them about the strength and joy that you’ve found in knowing Jesus. You may be aching to tell all about that, but it may not be the right time for it, or the right terminology.

She concludes:

The best evangelism -- the show, don’t tell kind -- presumes an understanding of relationship that precludes forcing your faith, and the language of that faith, on another person.

You see, we don’t need bull-horns or the ability to speak in tongues or permission to twist someone’s arm to do evangelism. These are not very effective tools to bring the good news message to the average person. Indeed they’ll catch somebody’s attention, but not for the purpose of evangelism. --- There is no better teaching tool than an example. By being a living example of a believer in God’s good news is a powerful method to catch someone’s attention so that they may want to learn more.

You see, evangelism really isn’t that hard to do if we believe the good news message that is to be shared. That’s the first requirement to being an evangelist: To have a faith in God and a belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Those understandings are basic, not just to evangelism, but to who we are as Christians. Often on a Sunday morning -- and soon on this Sunday morning -- we affirm our faith together by saying, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, and in Jesus Christ His only Son." --- I believe . . . I BELIEVE . . . --- It is really important that we say that together as a gathered community, but it is also important that we live that when we leave here.

. . . and also that we have an understanding and acceptance of a phrase I talked of earlier: "The Grace of God." We need to be able to understand that "Grace is unmerited favor from God" and then to accept that grace as being ours -- that God has granted unmerited favor (and we surely know that it is UNmerited) --- unmerited favor to each one of us. WOW! Phew! That feels good!

And if that doesn’t make you feel good, then I don’t think you understand or have accepted that grace. For if we believe we have been granted unmerited favor from God, then we believe that we are forgiven --- we are loved --- and we should then feel empowered. It is that forgiveness, that love, that unmerited favor --- that GRACE --- which is a major part of the good news evangelists are to share.

But then there’s the question, "How do you live a life that displays you really do believe --- that you really do have a faith --- that you really do accept God’s grace? How do you evangelize as Kathleen Norris suggests by showing, not telling?" --- I think the answer is found in I John when we read: "Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." -- If we live out our faith as ones who understand we are recipients of God’s grace -- and are actively involved in sharing God’s love in ways that call for patience, concern, encouragement, generosity, acceptance -- then we’ll catch people’s attention --- people will notice, because we’ll stand out. Maybe that is our problem with evangelism: It is the fear of standing out --- of being different.

Evangelism is about being "The light of the world" and letting our light shine before others! It is not feeling we are the light of the world --- or saying we are the light of the world --- or even believing that we are the light of the world --- but about BEING the light of the world. --- You see, evangelism is not about having good intentions, but about action. And the light of the world is supposed to stand out --- just as the "beacon on the hill" that we call our church in this community is to stand out.

Here’s a parable: There was a large church in the downtown of a major city -- this church was a beautiful structure. It had four stories. It looked like a European cathedral, complete with flying buttresses. It had a very dignified, educated pastor and a wonderful choir of professional quality. In the narthex of the sanctuary there stood an impressive ten foot tall marble statue of Christ with his arms outstretched.

As times changed, the church declined in membership. People moved away to the suburbs. Those left could not keep the building up -- and it was hardly used. Very little mission and ministry was happening there. The church practiced what one pastor described as a sort of "osmosis evangelism." They expected Christ to sort of "ooze" out of their fellowship into the world outside. The Conference or Presbytery considered closing the church.

One night, due to faulty wiring, a fire broke out. The whole church went up in flames. Oak walls in the sanctuary, walnut banisters, valuable windows and pictures -- all were destroyed. The floor in the narthex around the statue of Christ gave way and the statue went crashing to the floor of the basement. The next afternoon, after the fire department had doused the flames, workmen started to clean up and remove any surviving valuables. Then when they were going to wreck what was left of the building for safety's sake, one of the workmen in the basement found the statue of Christ with hardly a mark on it, hardly a chip broken off. Gently they got a cable around it, lifted it out with a crane and set it on the sidewalk. --- Two people out on their lunch hour were passing by. They looked at the ruins of the church and at the statue of Christ. One said sarcastically, "Well, looks like Jesus is all they got left." The other looked at the sight and said, "At least they got him out on the sidewalk where the people are."

We, as individuals and as a church, need to be out on the sidewalks where the people are, risking standing out and being different from the crowd. We need to have a desire to be noticed --- to be noticed for being different . . . for caring . . . for loving . . . for being Christlike. Being out on the sidewalks does not require a bull-horn, but it does require living as ones who have accepted the grace of God.

But we can’t stop there . . . and here comes the ultimate challenge that I have for you today --- and a challenge that for some reason makes people skiddish --- and for the life of me, at THIS church, I don’t know why. --- The challenge is to extend an invitation for someone to come to church!

Why is that so hard for us? We aren’t shy to say, "I ate at the best restaurant the other night. You should try it." or "I invested some money in a stock that is making a steady climb. Let me tell you about it." or "I’m reading a book that I just can’t put down. Have you heard of it?" ----- Why can’t we say, "The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill is where I worship. You should try it." or ". . . Let me tell you about it" or "Have you heard of it?" --- Why is it so frightening to do that.

My friends, there is nothing to be embarrassed about when you tell people about the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill! Just the opposite! This church is alive --- and well --- and active in ministry. This church has much to offer to you --- and to those people out on the sidewalk.

As evangelists, we must want people to experience the love, grace and joy of God through the church --- and THIS is a wonderful church in which to have that experience. The purpose for doing evangelism is not for church growth --- but the measure of doing good evangelism is thru church growth.

Last year the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) put a team together to research the subject of "church growth." Just last week they made their initial report which listed some traits that churches which are growing in number of members and in vitality have in common.

Those churches that are growing take risks --- are people of prayer --- are actively involved in reaching beyond themselves in hands-on mission/outreach --- provide Bible-based, relevant and well-prepared sermons --- are not trying to be all things to all people --- have strong programs and classes for children and youth and invite active participation by them in worship --- and refuse to accept "the seven last words of the church," which are "We’ve always done it that way before."

I believe the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill has each one of these traits -- and that is why I feel confident in saying that we are truly growing in vitality --- and also in members ------ BUT not enough! Until each one of us becomes an evangelist, we are not nearing our potential in growth --- either in vitality or in numbers. The potential here is enormous --- and it is that potential that I believe attracted someone like Cynthia Jarvis to come to this church. But Cynthia Jarvis can’t make this church grow alone --- and shouldn’t be expected to. Each one of us sitting in the pews, in this chancel, in classrooms throughout the building and even those who are not with us today, need to take seriously the challenge to be an evangelist. Each one of us needs to take seriously the challenge to go out through the doors of this building today and be intentional about inviting someone to visit this church!

That same "Church Growth Strategy Team," when making their report last week quoted Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary president, John Mulder in saying, "About 90% of the people outside the church actually want to be invited to church. The problem is, the church doesn’t want to invite them." --- If that statement is true, then all I can say is we are a sorry lot of evangelists.

In the days when some would say I was a true minister, serving as a parish pastor rather than as a denominational bureaucrat, I visited Foulkeways retirement community in Gwynedd. I had an interesting conversation with one of the residents there, who was not a member of the church I served, but of another local church. This was an older woman, who had definite ideas and who spoke rather emphatically. She was telling me of when she first moved to the area and began to search for a church home. In all seriousness and with great concern, she explained, "I would ask people what church they attended. One would say, `I go to the Methodist Church.' -- Period! Paragraph! -- Another would say, `I go to the Lutheran Church.' -- Period! Paragraph! ---- They would never tell me about the church or even invite me to attend. Then finally someone with great enthusiasm told me about the church she attends. She told me about the ministry that the church is involved in and how meaningful the worship services are to her. And she invited me to go to church with her the next Sunday. I've been attending there ever since."

My friends, that's evangelism! Our job of evangelism is not to pressure people into being involved in the fellowship of Jesus Christ -- for that will only drive them away. Our job of evangelism is to invite people to experience what we are able to experience as we are a part of this community of faith.

Think about it! Be intentional about it! In fact, take a pen -- or the pencil in the friendship pad -- or in the pew in front of you, and right now think of three people who you know that are not part of a church. Are they friends of yours --- family members --- co-workers? Write their names down on your bulletin --- and this week make it a point to INVITE them to your church. Don’t think this is strange when I say it --- but they may just be waiting for your invitation. Invite them! Hey, the worst they can do is say NO --- but the best they can do is say YES. And then all you need to is to let the experience of this Christian community do the rest. Wouldn’t it be great to see twice the number of people here next week? --- Invite them!

I said before that God hopes for and challenges us to be messengers and angels bringing good news -- bringing God’s good news -- to all people. That challenge was given to us by Christ as the gospel writer and author of Acts, the evangelist Luke, recorded Christ’s words saying: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Yes, I believe we can do evangelism --- that we can be Christ’s witnesses --- that we can be messengers and angels bringing good news --- as individuals and as a community of faith. That challenge is ours --- it’s mine and it’s yours --- to not be filled with fear, but instead to believe in God and have faith in Christ --- to live a life that displays our faith --- and to invite others to be part of a community that can change their lives. ---- Please don’t be shy, be an evangelist!

Return to the Chapel