"Priority" is a stimulating word. It implies urgency. It sounds a trumpet. It pinpoints a matter of prime importance and elevates it above lesser things.
Clearly, both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy rate evangelism as the top priority for our church. As Charles Bradford put it: "Evangelism is our raison d'etre. When it is no longer useful and necessary, then the church's role is complete and Jesus will remember His own declaration in Mat thew 24:14. The end will come."
Ellen White suggests that if soul winning is not a priority with us, we are in an unsaved condition. O to drive that point home when gifted and called pastors curl up in their little cocoons of complacency and comfort themselves that they are being prudent and effective by waiting for the evangelistic team to come to town. Well, we don't have that many teams, and more than 350,000 people are born every day on the wrong side of salvation. The mandate to evangelize is urgent, and the work is too enormous to wait!
Let us not be overwhelmed, but let us get going. Every one of us can win souls. If the gift of evangelism is not yours in a special way and you think that excludes you from soul winning, then hear Paul's admonition to Timothy: "Do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5). Paul was saying: "You have the Holy Spirit! Don't be timid and fearful. Do the work! Don't worry if the results do not appear as bountiful or that you seem less flamboyant. Do the work of an evangelist."
Better to baptize 20 than none. This soul-winning principle must be our priority, pursued with passion.
The word "priority" speaks to me in another way, too. I am amazed how easily some projects are funded that appear to offer little for finishing the Lord's work. These may be good things to do, but mainly from a public relations or social perspective. Budgets of secondary importance are easily voted or raised, while evangelism goes begging. This hurts the church not only spiritually but financially.
After one campaign we started a new church. In one fiscal year that fledgling congregation replaced every dime appropriated from three sources: the General Conference, the union, and the local conference. Every year since, that growing church has returned hundreds of thou sands of dollars in tithes and offerings while purchasing beautiful properties for a church home, nursery school, recreation, etc. Above all, that church became a living witness in a new community to extend Christ's boundaries in our needy world. That's a better investment than we generally make in the corporate world.
Finally, evangelism is not just for those outside our church. The "cycle of truth" presented in a Spirit-led campaign is of invaluable worth in fostering confidence, faith, and focus for those who are already members. I see it again and again, year after year. In fact, the work of evangelism is a grand elixir for all of the church's troubles. It gets members praying, it dissipates trifling theological contentions, it stimulates a spirit of sacrifice, it raises Ingathering, building funds, etc. Above all it brings peace among the saints.
On a personal level, evangelism develops preaching and reasoning skills, builds confidence in our calling and ministry, and in the destiny of the remnant church. Ministers learn to be more spiritual and more dependent on Christ. Repeating our powerful truths tends to cleanse the thoughts of worldly obsessions, strengthens our prayers, and affirms our faith.
Once a rabbi and I had a conversation in a park. He and I enjoyed our selves, though we differed in many areas. Before we parted, he remarked, "Pastor, one of the differences be tween your church and my synagogue is that our members do not evangelize. We do not proselytize anyone for our faith." I shall never forget how this defined for me the current problem in his faith. Could it be our problem too?
May the mercy of God forgive and revive a church that votes No to evangelism. Lord, help us understand the meaning of "priority."
