For a long time I have been thinking that we have substituted Social work for Evangelism.

I am very concerned.

Reading the NZ Baptist, (magazine) I am finding out that others are also concerned.

I am quoting from one letter to the editor (NZ Baptist, magazine of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand, Vol. 127  No. 1 February 2011):

“Many of our churches have largely substituted social work for evangelism when the two should go hand in hand, if you look at Jesus’ministry.”

The writer of the letter is concerned about the decline in attendance at Baptist churches. For the fifth year in a row there has been a decline.

He says that one reason for the decline is that “we are not doing enough effective evangelism.”

I used to work with a missionary society called WEC International in Thailand.

WEC International objectives, UNCHANGED SINCE THE BEGINNING (#1  1913):

1. To evangelise the remaining unevangelised (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:6-11 etc).

2. To plant local churches.

3. To train and send out personnel. 

One subject taught at the Bible School I attended was called PERSONAL EVANGELISM.

Today I had a conversation with two girls from Germany. Let me tell you that they listened to what I had to say.

PS: “Your donation will help print the next issue.”  Or “YES, I would like to financially support…” I think you are familiar with requests like that?

That is not the WEC way of doing things!