EVANGELISTIC methods do change through the years. For instance, open fields provided a splendid forum for Paul, Whitefield, and Wesley; whereas large halls and tents adequately served men such as Finney, Moody, Richards, Detamore, and Cleveland. Currently, ministers are effectively using communicative media to pro claim the gospel.
Important as they are to evangelism, equipment and methods are not the prime factors in evangelistic success. Over and above all that a minister may acquire by education, training, and conference appropriation there are significant spiritual qualities that he must possess in himself. In particular, goodness and the Holy Spirit are indispensable to anyone who would make and retain disciples for Jesus Christ.
As an example, consider the apostle Barnabas, through whose ministry "much people was added unto the Lord." Devoid of whatever sophistication existed in his day, Barnabas nevertheless possessed an intrinsic goodness which, under the power of the Holy Spirit, drew men to the Lord.
In the final analysis anything that a modern preacher says, does, or possesses should be evaluated by the same norm--- Does it add people to the Lord's church? Does it help to retain people in the church?
The Goodness of Barnabas
Goodness is divine love in action, and Barnabas' goodness did enlarge the church. Far from being a fawning, supine, and sentimental type of piety, the apostle's goodness manifested itself in a practical and helpful manner. Although not as talented as Apollos or brilliant as Paul, this good man nevertheless was both a soul winner and a soul retainer.
Every situation confronting him was a challenge to do something good for people and for the church. When the early church in Jerusalem was confronted with poverty and financial problems, this good man liquidated his holdings and presented the proceeds to the church leaders. In addition he had the ability to discern the good in others. A proud and selfish man uses people for his personal advantage, but a good man will expend him self in encouraging and advancing others in the cause of Christ. Barnabas excelled in this goodly trait.
He introduced Paul to the skeptical apostles and later recruited him for evangelistic work in Antioch. This bold venture launched the fiery apostle on his aggressive missionary journeys which finally planted the banner of Christ in the very household of Caesar. All credit to Paul for this mighty achievement, but let us never forget the good man who willingly and knowingly selected an evangelistic helper destined to eclipse his discoverer. Only a good man possesses the necessary grace to train and encourage his successor.
"Son of Consolation"
God always wins people by people. God has no other plan. Recognizing this, Barnabas constantly sought to preserve the man power of the church. Nicknamed "the son of consolation," he was constantly encouraging people to stay in the church and to work for the church. This type of ministry is very much needed today. There is no virtue in marching people in the front door of the church and then out through the back door. We lose entirely too many people each year. The surest way to enlarge is by saving what we have.
Therefore, when Paul rejected John Mark as a failure, Barnabas accepted the challenge of restoring Mark's faith and confidence and he succeeded. What a tremendous challenge this is to our Sabbath school and Missionary Volunteer leaders, and the heads of our academies and colleges, as well as to the conference leader ship entrusted with the training of younger workers. How else can the church expand unless, under the supervision of senior workers, more and more younger workers are crowded into gospel service? Good men become big men when they recognize that young men eventually supplant them in service. This is inevitable. Therefore, good men and big men will always rejoice in a younger worker's progress and success.
Goodness is not sensational. Such gifts as eloquence of speech, singing ability, and outstanding academic honors are much more dazzling. As such, these special talents tend to capture the attention of many to the extent that they forget the basic elements required of a true Christian soul winner. What do we parade before men in our evangelistic work? Are people attracted by our cleverness and up-to-date methods or because we are good men, "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph. 2:10)?
Goodness is contagious and good men inspire goodness in others. The plan is simple in that God uses a good man to proclaim His saving grace and thereby equates before hearers the theory and fact of the gospel. Those who listen not only hear but see the gospel demonstrated be fore them. Make no mistake about it, when contrasted with abstract theology, men will comprehend demonstrated goodness much quicker. In a very real sense our lives interpret what we preach. Do we exhibit and encourage in others the goodness which the Spirit of Christ alone imparts?
Why press this question?
Quality Converts
Well, let us understand that the ministry of a pastor or evangelist must ultimately be judged in terms of his converts. We and our converts may not be brilliant, richly talented, and renowned. We may never accomplish anything spectacular in the world or the church, but far better for us and for the enlargement of the church of Christ, if we can, through God's indwelling Spirit, possess and practice Biblical goodness. Are the lives of our converts renewed? Has there been an undeniable transformation of character so that instead of serving self and sin they now devote themselves to pleasing God and helping their fellow men?
This pragmatic test is sound, for it has to do not with the number of converts but with their quality. In our zeal to increase numbers let us not sacrifice quality. Whether we add many or few, keep in mind that the divine welcome will be ex tended only to those who achieve goodness in Christ. If we will, we can someday hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matt. 25:23).
All of us would do well to emulate Barnabas as a good and successful soul winner. In particular, administrators and leaders in God's church should set the example. Far too often we get so busy administrating that we forget that the prime qualification is to be a good man in the home, a good man in the church, and a good man in the community. In our rush to meet deadlines and to perform efficiently we forget to be kind, gentle, considerate, sympathetic, and thoughtful. It is entirely possible to be engaged in a good work and yet fail to achieve the goodness that should mark our life, conversation, and relationship to others. Put it down and never forget it evangelistic success and goodness of life are inseparable.
Who says so? Why, God says so. Read carefully the following:
"It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless. Learning, talent, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be possessed; but, without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them channels for the out-flowing of the highest influence in the universe." Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 21, 22.
Then again, read the startling statement in volume 9, page 189: "If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one."
Shall we unitedly seek and gain the experience which will help us, like Barnabas, to add "much people unto the Lord"?
