Lifestyle Evangelism is . . . Doing the Work.

“Attitude check!” “Praise the Lord!” It does not get any better than this! This month I want to address our attitudes, why they might be where they are and how we might change them for the glory of the Lord. To give you an idea of what I am talking about, let me reintroduce this month’s tip this way: This month we want to look at the joy of using our gift(s) to God’s glory, the frustration of doing a job for which you are not gifted, and the joy that is possible when playing the role of an evangelist.

When talking about witnessing or evangelism we often hear the phrase, “That’s the Pastor’s job,” or “That’s the job of the board of evangelism.” If you read your Bible, Paul tells us that the pastor’s job is to teach the members to work in God’s service (Eph. 4:11,12). For that reason, here at St. Matthew, you make yourself available to be taught by God’s Word, which is taught by the pastor. At times we still have the attitude “That’s a job no one will take,” “I can’t do that,” “I’d never do that,” etc. Why is it this way, and how can we change?

I honestly believe a negative attitude comes from misunderstanding the gifts God gives to His Church. What I mean is that for too many years, we were taught that we needed to find out what our spiritual gift was so that we might be able to serve in one capacity (as we were gifted) or another. This idea of making a choice brought many excuses for declining work with the words, “That is not my spiritual gift.”

How do we change our attitude? We understand that the Lord gives His Church all the gifts it needs, which means that, if you are needed to do some work or service, the Lord will help you accomplish the task that is before you.

This fact does not take away from the fact that we may have to serve, from time to time, in a role in which we do not feel comfortable. In writing to Timothy, in 2 Timothy 4:5, Paul tells us, “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (emphasis added). Evidently Timothy was not “gifted” as an “evangelist,” but it did not remove that responsibility from him.

Remember, we are all witnesses but sometimes we are called on to be evangelists (people who share the good message). Otherwise, we are simply to use the gifts God has given us to His glory. If we do not, we are neglecting our duty (privilege). May the Lord bless you as you use your gifts to His glory.

47 of 52 © Rev. Ronald A. Bogs