It’s Complicated

by Brett Heintzman

What is your church’s “relationship status” with evangelism? Married, single, dating, or it’s complicated? I’d like us to consider that, for many of us, it truly is complicated.

We certainly have reason to feel that way. We try and try to roll out engaging and creative programs, events and messages. We study and minister tirelessly only to see some folks leave or become disinterested. We seem to vie for people’s time and attention and often are like the final child on the school sports field waiting to be chosen for someone’s team.

Furthermore, we’re flooded with messages that our world has become increasingly hostile to Christianity, there is little respect given to members of the clergy compared to decades ago, and we live in a post-Christian era. That doesn’t seem to offer much hope. These all complicate our relationship with evangelism. We’d like to “go on a date” with evangelism, but it always seems to end in rejection.

We should stay “single” after all. “Single” churches don’t have to worry about the taunting of rejection that we face every time we even look at evangelism. Single is safe. Single is predictable. As a single church we’re fine with new roommates. We’ll welcome them in if they happen to find us, but we’re not in the market. No-sir-ee.

Some churches are willing to “date” evangelism. Dating churches aren’t afraid to take evangelism out for a nice dinner. You know, like a wonderful night on the town, but there’s really no commitment. Now and then evangelism and the church throw a great party for the whole block — no pressure — no expectations. Let’s not get carried away. We’re only here to have a good time. We know that liking one another is enough. We’re not talking about moving in together or any longtime commitments. After all, we want room in our lives to “date” other ministries.

Whenever “dating” or “single” churches let things get our of hand, their relationship with evangelism always ends up complicated. What works? No one wants a Billy Graham crusade anymore, right? Or do they? Trying to figure out what shifts are taking place in the culture, how our demographics are changing, or what the boomers, busters, Gen X-ers, or millennials are up to is exhausting! By the time we’ve studied them and think we have a handle on what’s going on, everything changes again! Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time means someone is mad at us.

See? It’s complicated. How in the world do we untangle the complicated messiness of our relationship with evangelism?

Well, we marry it.

Getting closer still — intimate in fact — is the only way to uncomplicate our relationship with evangelism.

Marriages are love relationships. Covenant relationships. All-in relationships. Multiplying relationships. When a church is married to evangelism, mutual love is discovered. No longer do we fear rejection because we share love. We learn that being “single” is like burying our Master’s talent in the ground and refusing to take risks. When we return it with no interest — no return — we’re just wicked and lazy. “Dating” churches flirt with evangelism, and that’s no way to live and minister in a community. Our towns, cities and villages don’t need the church to flirt with them; they need love.

“Tie the knot” with evangelism, and you’ll learn to see people, not demographics. When we love evangelism, our family will grow. We’ll welcome the adopted and then embrace them as our own sisters and brothers. Our love for evangelism and the family it produces will never grow cold, and we’ll always have an open seat at the table for new family.

What is your church’s relationship with evangelism? Do you date it, prepare to lead a single life, is it complicated, or are you married?  

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