Rich Kao

Ever since I became a Christian at 17 yrs old, people like Billy Graham, David Wilkerson, Reinhard Bonnke and lesser known evangelists have been heroes to me.  To me, the ability to be a "soul winner" was the ultimate in Christiandom; to have the privilege to lead someone to Jesus, to help them step into eternal life, and help them step into their destiny; what could be better??  Indeed, in my own life, I've had the privilege of helping several dozen people come to Christ.  Each time the feeling of awe is the same.  It is truly priceless.

Yet despite some moderate "success," I found something disconcerting along the way.  I really don't have a gifting in evangelism.  It doesn't come easy to me like math and push-ups.  I have to really work at it, and even when I work at it, it doesn't always "work."  For the longest time, this was hard for me to accept because I have such a high view of soul-winning (and still do; I sigh with envy at people that can turn a conversation at the drugstore into a "Let's pray" moment).

But then I read Paul's words to Timothy, his protege. "Be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."  2Ti 4:5.  In a moments time, my "worldview of evangelism" changed; I was comforted, relieved and invigorated.

Timothy, it seems was not the evangelist that Paul was.  Paul was this gospel machine, planting churches, igniting revival and turning the world upside down where ever he went. Acts 17:6.  Timothy, however, did not seem to have the same gifting; he didn't have that same "gear."  But how did Paul address this situation?  He didn't condemn, nor lay a "heavy" on Timothy.  He didn't tell him to become an evangelist; rather he encouraged Timothy to do the "work of an evangelist."  A masterful bit of pastoring by Paul and a genius turn of phrase.  In that short phrase ("do the work of an evangelist," as opposed to "be an evangelist"), Paul did several crucial things. 1) He released Timothy from any guilt or condemnation that he wasn't this amazing soul winner. 2) Paul recognized that not everyone is gifted in this area; i.e. Paul did not project his gifting on to Timothy and unnecessarily make Timothy feel like he should become something he couldn't. 3) Yet, Paul was able to encourage Timothy to "win souls" by re-contextualizing the assignment; not as one gifted in this area, but as one that can do the work of a gifted one.

What a joy this is.  If we're not an evangelist by gifting or calling, don't sweat it.  God doesn't expect blood from a turnip.  But we can still do the work of an evangelist and partake in the evangelist's bounty.  In otherwords, I don't have to feel this "inner pressure" to be something I'm not or can't be.  That's a life-changing realization, and a liberating one.  Just because you're not a pro, doesn't mean you can't enjoy golfing.  Go enjoy golfing.  Knock in a few birdies, maybe an eagle.  Your score still counts with God. 

Part 2:  How I'm doing the work of an evangelist.

New incoming Wheaton Collge President, Dr. Philip Ryken gives a great synopsis.

Pastor Craig Groeschel posted this over at his blog.  I AGREE wholeheartedly with this post, down to every round bullet point he makes.  Not only do I believe what he says here, but we are turbo-charging & re-configuring the small group concept here in Vancouver into IMPACT GROUPS or MICRO-CHURCH PLANTS.  In fact we are framing out a Boot Camp to train up micro-church planters or impact group leaders.   You may want to sign up for one in the future, which also includes an integrated leadership module.

From Craig:

Several of my close pastor friends have recently spoken out against the effectiveness of small groups. Although I have tremendous respect for these men and will always honor them, I disagree with their views of small groups.

I still love small groups because:

• They follow the early church model of meeting in homes.
• They are a tremendous tool for discipleship. I prefer small groups to Wednesday night large group teaching because it gives people a chance to interact. I prefer small groups to Sunday School simply because you don’t have to build the expensive extra classroom space.
• They get more people involved using their gifts of hospitality, teaching, exhortation, etc.
• They engage the body of Christ in pastoral care. Instead of the pastors being the only ones who care for believers, small groups spread the load and utilize gifted lay people.
• They build leaders.
• Done well, they become a tremendous tool of retention. People want to be needed and known. Small groups make both possible.
• They have unlimited meeting space. You can’t run out of homes, restaurants, apartments, or coffee shops in which to meet.
• They have unlimited meeting times. In today’s busy world, a once-a-week discipleship opportunity will not work for the majority of your church. Small groups offer unlimited times to meet.
• They have changed my life. My family’s small group is like our extended family. God has used them to bless us in untold ways.

Great video by Pastor Craig Groeschel.  All I want to say is, "Folks, let get the job done.  Don't worry about failing.  Let's go all out for Jesus."

As I walk with God, I find more and more what those wise old saints are talking about when they speak of the cross; it's indeed the path to life.   Everything must pass through the cross if we want abundant life and maturity.  Here's the really cool part; it's not like I thought..."embracing the cross" is not some spartan, quaker, take-your-medicine like discipline.  In fact, once you're tasted it, you want it.  It's not embracing the cross with gritted teeth because you know it's good for us; No, rather it's hugging the cross with a sense of relief and rest and delight because that's where we know our safety and His glory lie.  The affection is there, hence the hug is there.  This will be the title of my new (imaginery) book that I don't have the time or skill to write, but I like the title anyway.

Here's the lead in to my first big thought: The cross -- letting go of our way and our timing and bowing to God's -- is the key to multiplication, and bounty, and more-than-when-the-grain-and-the-new-wine-abounds kind of life (Ps 4:7).  God wants us to have open skies (Mt. 3:16 - the heavens opened) and traffic in multiplication (Mt. 3:16 - dove upon us).  But the key is the cross (i.e. embracing righteousness which is embracing God's agenda; "Permit it at this (God's) timing"; submitting to God's timetable, God's method - Mt. 3:15).

If we don't bow to the cross we stay in the realm of our own strength, our own soul, and we keep a lid on ourselves.  We actually limit ourselves to ourselves.  But when we embrace the cross, the cross becomes a lid blower and we enter and traffic in God's realm -- amazing supply, power, wisdom, anointing -- that's open sky living.  (Changing my mind:  maybe my book title should be "Open Sky Living;" I'll have to debate this with myself).  

Did you catch that?  When you live in your own soul, your own strength, your own plans, your own timing, you actually put a lid on yourself!  You limit yourself and your potential to yourself.  But when you hug the cross, you blow the lid off and come into God's realm.  You move from closed skies to open skies.  God becomes your inheritance, not yourself.  The God of Jeshurun, the hertitage of Jacob is your portion (Deut. 33:26; Is. 58:13-14), and what a big portion that is!  Hug the cross today.  (Actually, it's not an event, but a lifestyle).