by Steve Higginbotham
Do any of you have memories of loading up the car, going to a friend or neighbor’s house, and entering their house with a film projector and screen? I have very clear memories of going with my dad as he showed the Jule Miller filmstrips to people and it was my job to advance the projector at the “dings.” We were evangelizing, but showing Jule Miller filmstrips to people is not the only way to evangelize.
For 36 years, I have been supported by good brethren to allow me to spend full-time in study, preparation, and delivery of sermons. While I have never counted before now, I estimate that I have presented more than 10,000 sermons in that time. I have been evangelizing, but preaching sermons from the pulpit is not the only way to evangelize.
Many years ago, I knew a man who opposed any man being considered to become an elder in the church who was not teaching Sunday or Wednesday Bible classes. Elders, who must be “apt to teach” often demonstrate that by teaching Sunday and Wednesday Bible classes. These elders are evangelizing, but teaching an organized Bible class is not the only way to evangelize.
I once knew a man who would purchase hundreds of biblical tracts and go to the hospital each week and distribute them on tables in the waiting room. This man was evangelizing, but distributing tracts in a hospital waiting room is not the only way to evangelize.
I know a godly, Christian lady who, by her godly conduct, without a word brought her father to the Word and he obeyed the gospel. This lady was evangelizing, but living a godly life that compels people to turn to the Word of God is not the only way to evangelize.
The title of my article is true. Evangelism is not a talent, it is a command. We all must engage in it. But do not try to limit evangelism to a singular form. Find a way that this command best fits your talents, and evangelize!