Evangelists have a bit of an image problem. For some people the word “evangelist” evokes revival tents packed with fake healings and snake oil salesmen. The world of televangelism, with its shiny suits and big hair and hellfire pledge drives to fund air conditioned dog houses, hasn’t done them any favors either. The stereotype of the modern evangelist doesn’t seem to have much in common with John the Baptist and his camel hair tunic. For as long as we’ve had religion – maybe because we have religion – we’ve had people trying to make a buck off faith and fear. That’s not evangelism.When Jesus recruited his disciples, he did so with an eye toward the future and the evangelizing they would be called to do. Even in his day, people were wary of the clergy, and with good reason. Jesus didn’t start his search among religious leaders: he chose fishermen. These fishermen – Peter, Andrew, James, and John – were men of the world, hard-working businessmen who could get dirty when necessary and be salesmen when needed. If they had good news to spread – news good enough to make them leave their old lives behind – people would listen.
We are all called to evangelize, to spread the good news of the Gospels. Very few of us are called to do it by preaching from a pulpit. Members of the New Monastic movement do it by moving to the inner city and becoming part of the community. Jay Bakker – son of infamous televangelists Jim and Tammy – started Revolution Church in a bar where many of the patrons had fewer addictions, tattoos, and piercings than he did. Some people spread the good news by volunteering at church to help the elderly prepare income tax statements and others take youth to rebuild after disasters.
Real evangelists exist everywhere; you can recognize them because it’s obvious they’ve dropped their nets and found new lives following Christ.
Saint Francis is credited with saying: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” Less famously he also said: “If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.” Each of us is equipped to evangelize the moment she or he has a story to tell. Whether we share it through words or actions, it is a recognizably true story. The truth eventually withstands all image problems.
Evening readings: Psalms 102; 133
Yes, yes, yes. Before I was a Christian, those would-be evangelists yelling on TV and passing out tracts at the bus stop did nothing but push me away from faith. The people who drew me to it were the ones who didn't hide their Christianity, but didn't push it on me, either. Their evident kindness, peacefulness, and the light in their eyes were fascinating to me, and I wanted what they had. They preached the gospel at all times and rarely used words. And it worked. Thanks, Joe, for this beautiful explanation.
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