There was a time, and not too long ago, that the main focus of churches individually and denominational conventions had a main focus and it wasn’t inward. The main focus was outward. It was external and not internal. In the nineteen seventies through the eighties and into the early nineties, evangelism was the focus. It was the energy that drove the spiritual engine of religious bodies.
Many preachers can remember when these days of vibrant evangelism was just about all that churches and religious conventions thought about. Evangelism drove the local church agenda. With thousands of unsaved people living within just a few miles, churches kept dreaming up new and innovative ways in which they could reach the people and preach the good news of salvation to them. This was all driven by the “great commission” which was given to Christians by Jesus Christ just before He was taken into heaven after His resurrection. One can find it in Matthew 28:19-20. It reads like this: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
The Great Commission was the heart of the evangelistic efforts that were so prevalent during the years I mentioned above; the late sixties through the years of the early nineties. Nothing has changed concerning the Great Commission Jesus issued to His people. It is still the very same as it has always been. It is no less authoritative than it was 2,000 years ago when Jesus uttered it to us. The same power resides behind it and that is the power of the Holy Spirit of God. But, what I am calling the Age of Evangelism is losing, and has lost, much of its vibrancy and effectiveness. More and more over the past thirty years, churches have converted from an outward, evangelistic mindset to a focus which is inward and self-serving one. They would not admit this or even privately affirm that they are not as evangelistic as they once were. The leaders know that the Great Commission is still in full effect so they would never say that they have shifted their focus. The rationalizing power of the human mind is very strong and self-serving. It can make just about anything seem right and noble.
I was talking with a friend of mine who is a well-known preacher and leader of the Era of Evangelism. His churches were ones which always excelled in evangelism and baptized large numbers of people each year. We agree that we have watched as evangelism has shifted from the main point to one that is remembered more than practiced in today’s world. In our conversation, we were praising the Lord that we were fortunate that our ministries came along during the years of the Era of Evangelism. We remember and participated in those great meetings where thousands came to hear great and powerful music presented by large choirs and orchestras as they led hundreds and thousands in worship where evangelistic preaching was a priority in an effort to win people to the Lord. And while the musical presentations were big, exciting and powerful, they always had an “outward” thrust. Evangelism and being saved were always the main focus and theme. People were lifted and inspired to see others come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their personal savior. In addition to the music, the preaching was actually preaching. It was powerful and Bible centered. The messages were primarily expository in nature, teaching the people what the Bible actually says about the Christian life and the centrality of winning people to Jesus….evangelism. Churches were full in those days with expectant people who were wanting to be inspired and led to see people saved. When they left one of those worship experiences, people were energized and refreshed. They wanted to be a part of this great experience of leading someone to Christ. People rejoiced when groups of people were baptized. Christians were inspired and energized to fulfill The Great Commission. Our own Southern Baptist Convention annual meetings were like an evangelistic Bible conference with outstanding preaching and music to inspire the people. There was a “Pastor’s Conference” which drew thousands so that they could hear great “soul winning” sermons. The preachers would be energized spiritually and eager to win people to Jesus. And, remember this….the issue is still Jesus and always will be.
But what about today and the last thirty years? The primary emphasis has changed to one of entertainment and has shifted away from evangelism in great part. The “Disney” approach to gathering a crowd now focuses on what the people want. “Give them what they want and they will come.” So much of what is done today to attract a crowd is basically social and secular in nature. “If we can attract the world into the church by whatever means, then we can preach to them and they will see the value of Christianity and get saved.” The only problem is that the unsaved and worldly will not absorb what we offer because it challenges their lifestyles which they do not intend to give up. They will come into the church and change the church instead of the church changing them. They see the church’s willingness to change as capitulation. And, Christians being the gracious peacemakers that they are have been all to eager to allow themselves to be changed while always claiming that it is for Jesus that they are moderating their stances and approaches. The focus, whether they will admit it or not, is inward. The idea is that if one had a good time and if they feel good about their spiritual situation when they leave the service that they must be saved and on their way to heaven. Nothing could be further from the truth but that thought is strongly implanted in the minds of people. Remember this: It is not how you feel about yourself and how you feel about God. It is how God feels about you that counts. If He accepts you then you are saved. And His acceptance is not based on how you feel but it is based on one’s proper relationship to Jesus and their commitment to Him.
The truth of the matter is that true salvation changes a person or else it was not a real experience with God’s Spirit. We are to change the world; not let the world change us. People need to be saved and changed to inherit heaven. Saint Peter at the Golden Gate isn’t going to ask if a person had a great time employing the worldly approach to worship. He is going to find out if they were changed by the shed blood of Jesus. He is going to look at their motivations and intentions concerning living the Christian life. The world needs changing not the church and its message.
So, from evangelism to entertainment has been the major shift in Christianity over the past number of years. The wilder a “church” is the more acceptable they are and the crowd’s flock to entertainment over discipline and doctrine every time. I have always maintained, and still do, that we can’t do God’s business with the world’s methods. It won’t work. It may look good for a time but God is the one who is keeping the record on our motivations and our actions. He knows where we really stand and what our motivations are much better than we do.
As the shift from the “Age of Evangelism” to the “age of entertainment” has progressed, I am meeting many people who decry the situation in our churches. Even though they are still drawn to their church by their associations with friends, they say….”church doesn’t seem holy any more. The glory of previous days is gone. The majesty of holy worship is gone. The whole atmosphere in worship is now cheaper. If I had somewhere else to go, I would be gone today.” The problem is that worship which is grand, glorious and majestic is hard to find these days. Being the human beings that they are, it seems that almost everyone has adopted the “entertainment” approach. If one desires a place where worship is meant to reflect a person’s honor of God and if they want Biblical preaching which edifies a person plus if they desire music which has a thrust which sounds more like heaven than a rock and roll concert, they are hard pushed to locate such a place.
I don’t expect this article to change anything much. People will rationalize answers which satisfy them concerning things I have mentioned. But, let me ask this question: why are evangelism and the resulting baptisms down? Why is general church attendance down? Why are so many decrying the situation today? Why are so many desirous to find another place of worship? Why is popularity of the preacher such a driving force? Why are numbers and money such a focus today? Why are numbers of attenders such a big focus today?
Why is “success” such a big emphasis today? Remember, God knows the motivations and desires of the heart. He knows and understands us to the “inth” degree so we need to watch out what we do and ascribe it to Him. But, if we shift our focus back to Evangelism from entertainment and worldly methods, God will honor it and we will be following the command given to us by Jesus when He said:
“Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
