Can anyone explain to me how the post of "evangelist" can be filled without first assessing the evangelistic content and methodology of the prospective evangelist? Can a suitable candidate be found through the interview process alone?
This is what one religious denomination is doing in order to find someone who could fulfil this task. There was no concern about whether or not a candidate could preach the Gospel with power; only his past experience and his understanding of the Gospel, which had to 'dot every eye and cross every tee' of the prospective employer, were relevant.
Indeed, it seems to be the case that the title 'evangelist' was merely a cover-up for what was essentially a community worker. There does not seem to be any real preaching opportunities, but sufficient 'baby-sitting' work and the supervisions of congregational organisations.
But, is an evangelist in the biblical understanding just another name for a church community worker? Or is it something quite different? When Paul told young Timothy to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim.4:5), what did he mean by that? Philip was also described as an evangelist (Acts 21:8)? What was his work? Indeed, the risen Christ gave evangelists to the church as His gift to her. But what were they to do? Be community workers? Act as church 'baby-sitters' for children? Run organisations?
No, their work was carefully and clearly delineated. They were to men called and equipped to take the message of Christ to the world, as Philip did when he was sent to the Ethiopian Eunuch (Ac.8:26-40). He was preaching the Gospel in Samaria where what has come to be known as the Samaritan Pentecost took place, a man mightily used by God to reach the lost with the Gospel. It was at this significant time that God called Philip away from the centre of revival activity to the desert, why? because the Lord had a work that Philip was specially well fitted for, and that was powerful evangelism. So, from this we learn that the work of an evangelist was to preach the Gospel to multitudes and crowds, as well as to individuals. It was this work that young Timothy was to do - be a preacher of the Gospel of God.
That the church needs men with this gift is clear; and that Christ made a gift of evangelists to the church is also agreed. They were to heralds of Christ, the messengers of God sent out into a hostile world. They had good-news for the whole world - that Christ died for all, and the Gospel now offers eternal salvation to all who put their trust in the one and only Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ.
At no time was 'baby-sitting' children part of the evangelist's role; nor is there any indication in the New testament that the evangelist was to be a church worker in the community. This is teaching that the modern church does not seem to understand, or even want to understand. And it certainly has no intention of applying it to the work that she is called by God to do.
Perhaps, the real intention behind appointing these (unbiblical) evangelists is to reduce further the evangelistic responsibility of the church to the world. I now that some churches were embarrassed by the presence of Christian workers in the Irish Republic over many years, and now that these are being 'killed off,' the replacements will never do what those men did for many years.
How blind church leaders are when it comes to reaching the lost for Christ! Our prayer must be that God will open their eyes before it is too late.
Maybe the church of today needs to return to the Scriptures and begin to take their message with utmost seriousness. To get your own copy of the AV in digital form, please click this link.
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