Question for Dr. Scott Clark and Board on lay evangelism in Reformed history

[5 Solas]

Starting January 11 are Pastor will lead us in the new year to refocus our efforts on outreach and evangelism.
Whenever evangelism or outreach becomes the talk usually we are quick to expose all the man centered methods back in history (Finney) clear up to the present (Warren).
How has the members in the pew in Reformed history been involved in evangelism. For example if you were a member were Calvin was at in Geneva what role did outreach played for lay person and other reformed churches throughtout the continent.
I understand that only a ordained minister is the only one to preach the Word of God and to adminster the sacraments but was it common in Reformed members in the 16th, 17th etc that during Mon through Fri they shared what they heard from the pulpit to their everyday contacts.
Usually we are told to invite someone so they can the hear the Word of God preached is that were it stops.
In others words how has evangelism been flushed out among reformed member in church history.
Thank you everyone .

[Title edited for clarity of topic]

[Edited on 1-4-2006 by Me Died Blue]

 

[R. Scott Clark]

Originally posted by Heidelberg
Starting January 11 are Pastor will lead us in the new year to refocus our efforts on outreach and evangelism.
Whenever evangelism or outreach becomes the talk usually we are quick to expose all the man centered methods back in history (Finney) clear up to the present (Warren).
How has the members in the pew in Reformed history been involved in evangelism. For example if you were a member were Calvin was at in Geneva what role did outreach played for lay person and other reformed churches throughtout the continent.
I understand that only a ordained minister is the only one to preach the Word of God and to adminster the sacraments but was it common in Reformed members in the 16th, 17th etc that during Mon through Fri they shared what they heard from the pulpit to their everyday contacts.
Usually we are told to invite someone so they can the hear the Word of God preached is that were it stops.
In others words how has evangelism been flushed out among reformed member in church history.
Thank you everyone .

[Title edited for clarity of topic]

[Edited on 1-4-2006 by Me Died Blue]

Ruben,

Thanks for your post.

It's a good question, but we need to change the premise, that lay "evangelism" is a good thing.

Let's distinguish between "evangelism" as the official proclamation of the Gospel by a minister and "witness" as the testimony by believers to the basics of the faith and of their own personal faith in Christ and to his benefits.

Read this way, the Reformed have always encouraged the laity (the people) to witness. This is the meaning of the last line of Q. 86 in the catechism, "and by our godly walk may win others also to Christ."

That said, I don't know that there has been a programmatic approach. You won't find seminars in the 17th century on lay witness.

There may be works by 17th century British writers on lay witness, but none come to mind.

The idea of "every member ministry" is a very modern, democratic idea that doesn't have a great deal of support in Scripture or in our tradition.

As an alternative to EMM, when I've taught courses on lay witness, I've encouraged folk to live as a Christian (sins and all), pray for those in their circle (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors), to prepare to witness, and when God gives opportunity, witness.

If we simply live as Christians opportunities for witness will arise. When I say "live," I mean "live honestly," admit openly our sinfulness and sins, confess God's grace -- not in obnoxiously "pious" tones so that we become a caricature, but so that we model living faith.

One of the most powerful witnesses we have is to confess when we've sinned against unbelievers! Many of them have never heard or experienced such a thing; just treating our unbelieving co-workers as image-bearers, with the love and grace of Christ can create the most amazing opportunities to witness.

Then God's people need some sort of model (1 Pet 3:15) for their witness. My favorite place is John 9

The man born blind did one thing: he told the truth. Full stop.

He confessed his need, he confessed that Jesus saved him. He couldn't explain how exactly, except he confessed the instruments Jesus used! He did so steadfastly, despite opposition and criticism. John contrasts this witness with his parents who refused to tell what they knew to be true. He described himself in his natural state, blind, and his condition in the state of grace. Any Christian can do that.

We don't need tricks or trick questions or dramatic conversion stories, since every Christian knows what he is by nature and what he is by grace.

We don't need to be confrontational, just Christians.

We need a plan.

We need to pray.

We need to tell the truth.

Blessings,

rsc

 

[Robin]

No reference to pragmatism, but I just wanted to affirm...

This description Dr. Clark gives works!!!

The confessing-sin part and asking for pardon to a fellow-image-bearer has had enormous impact on those in my circle. (Thinking of one person I know, who is hostile towards Christianity...) Simply walking in honesty; daily living...as those natural moments happen...time passes, and begin to see profound changes. (A sign of calling?) It strikes me as seeing a "miracle in slow-motion."

People predominantly come to faith through a process - via relationships. An organic-human, experience that is frequently mundane, pedestrian and takes time.

I know many Reformed (our church) who experience the same. Nuances are so varied, though, I'm sure it couldn't be "formulated" into a seminar. (Thank God.) That's evidence it's real.

Robin

 

[Scott]

Calvin actually wrote a "how-to" on lay evangelism:

If you meet an unbeliever, tell him the four spiritual laws. If he does not repent, hand him an illustrated tract describing the four spiritual laws (you may have to sketch something quickly yourself, as the printing press is not as widely available as we hope it will be shortly). If he still does not repent, hand him a scary Jack Chick tract targeted at his demographic niche. If he asks, "will I have to change my life," respond "does buying fire insurance require on to change their lifestyle?" If he still does not repent, it is the church's fault because it is not relevant enough. Lobby your consistory to become like a tavern or bawdy house. Tell the consistory to stop relying on things that are hard for people to understand (like words) and start using pictures. Then he will come.
Miscellaneous Works, Vol. 1

[Edited on 1-4-2006 by Scott]

 

[5 Solas]

Thank you for that reply Dr. Clark.

 

[Laura]

Dr. Clark, thank you so much for that. I've struggled for a long time with thinking that the Great Commission applies nearly unconditionally to individual believers. Though ultimately I know the fault is mine, my conscience has been burdened tremendously with the idea that outright evangelizing is my duty toward strangers wherever I go--and since everything in me rebels (perhaps too much) against intruding or making people get defensive, this has caused me more turmoil than anything else in the years I've been a Christian. Overanalysis really does lead to paralysis...so thanks again. With that you've lifted quite a weight from my soldiers.

If you meet an unbeliever, tell him the four spiritual laws. If he does not repent, hand him an illustrated tract describing the four spiritual laws (you may have to sketch something quickly yourself, as the printing press is not as widely available as we hope it will be shortly). If he still does not repent, hand him a scary Jack Chick tract targeted at his demographic niche. If he asks, "will I have to change my life," respond "does buying fire insurance require on to change their lifestyle?" If he still does not repent, it is the church's fault because it is not relevant enough. Lobby your consistory to become like a tavern or bawdy house. Tell the consistory to stop relying on things that are hard for people to understand (like words) and start using pictures. Then he will come.
Miscellaneous Works, Vol. 1

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

I also agree with Dr. Clark that the distinction between evangelism (proclamation of the gospel), which belongs to the ordained ministers of Christ alone (see Heb. 5.4; WLC 158), and witnessing by word and deed (1 Pet. 3.15; HC 86) a duty that belongs to every Christian, is crucial. The Great Commission is given to God's heralds not to all men, women and children indiscriminately.

I have argued this previously here, here, here, and here among other places.

 

[Scott]

Wouldn't what most people call "evangelism" be covered in the "witness by word and deed" view? Most people who engage in lay evangelism don't get up and preach (although some do). Is the main difference that there is not a responsibility to seek out strangers?

 

[Scott]

I was reading Luke this morning. Seems like Anna is a good example of witnessing.

36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.