Must the church sanction every act of evangelism?

[evangelist6589]

There are those whose churches run under a form of government where the church needs to sanction every act of evangelism. They would argue from their interpretation of scripture that those out doing street evangelism and open air preaching must have had their elders lay hands on them and be under their authority. However my church which is a Baptist church does not use elders and they would differ. They say that the body has the responsibility to be out witnessing and that their members are under their authority, but they do not sanction every act of evangelism. I have been in baptist churches for a long time and have never run into one that felt the urge to sanction every act of evangelism. Members were expected to be out witnessing on their own regardless of the form of evangelism.

I am aware that GreekTim, and those coming from the Reformed Presbyterian mode of government disagree with me on this one. Perhaps this is true of only some Reformed churches. The church where I learned WOTM used both elders and deacons and they did not hold this view that they needed to sanction everything a member does on his own watch. So what say you?

 

[Don]

If you're a member of a church, what you do gets associated with that church.

 

[evangelist6589]

If you're a member of a church, what you do gets associated with that church.

Obviously.. But you missed the question.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What does Paul Washer and John MacArthur have to say....can you reference any books for us?

Sorry gotta hop....gonna buy some Tom's Hard Lemonade for some people comming over later.

 

[JonC]

In my opinion the church doesn't sanction evangelism. It disciples Christians who, as the body of Christ, evangelizes. Witnessing to others should be a part of our identity - we come together in church to study the Scriptures, pray, support one another....for the building up of the saints. If, however, one "evangelizes" falsely then it is up to his church to discipline/correct (regardless of sanction).

 

[evangelist6589]

What does Paul Washer and John MacArthur have to say....can you reference any books for us?



Sorry gotta hop....gonna buy some Tom's Hard Lemonade for some people comming over later.

What does scripture teach?

 

[InTheLight]

However my church which is a Baptist church does not use elders and they would differ. They say that the body has the responsibility to be out witnessing and that their members are under their authority

Wait a minute. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying your church claims to have authority over HOW you witness? And not just a general statement about the relationship of church members to the church?

 

[Don]

Obviously.. But you missed the question.

If it's obvious, but you think I missed the question -- then you missed the answer.

 

[wpe3bql]

It depends on what one describes as "every act of evangelism."

I don't believe a church necessarily has to sanction trying to "evangelize" his/her own family/relatives. Nor do I believe it's necessary to have official church sanction to "evangelize" one's neighbors/co-workers, etc., when it's done on a face-to-face, person-to-person manner.

OTOH, if the "evangelism" is done using a church's name and is targeted at a rather large demographic, IMHO that type of "evangelism" probably should only be done under the "sanction" of that particular local church.

 

[Rolfe]

There are those whose churches run under a form of government where the church needs to sanction every act of evangelism. They would argue from their interpretation of scripture that those out doing street evangelism and open air preaching must have had their elders lay hands on them and be under their authority. However my church which is a Baptist church does not use elders and they would differ. They say that the body has the responsibility to be out witnessing and that their members are under their authority, but they do not sanction every act of evangelism. I have been in baptist churches for a long time and have never run into one that felt the urge to sanction every act of evangelism. Members were expected to be out witnessing on their own regardless of the form of evangelism.

I am aware that GreekTim, and those coming from the Reformed Presbyterian mode of government disagree with me on this one. Perhaps this is true of only some Reformed churches. The church where I learned WOTM used both elders and deacons and they did not hold this view that they needed to sanction everything a member does on his own watch. So what say you?

Am I on the Baptist Board site or the DoG-House site?

 

[InTheLight]

Am I on the Baptist Board site or the DoG-House site?

Must be on BB--people are responding to Evan's posts.

 

[Rolfe]

Must be on BB--people are responding to Evan's posts.

Ouch. :laugh:

Expect another rabbit.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What does scripture teach?

You tell me ...you are the street evangelist, right!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Must be on BB--people are responding to Evan's posts.

Ahhhh haaaaaaa:laugh:

 

[evangelist6589]

Wait a minute. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying your church claims to have authority over HOW you witness? And not just a general statement about the relationship of church members to the church?

Yes that's what I am saying but fortunately I am not in such a church.

 

[evangelist6589]

Ahhhh haaaaaaa:laugh:

The other board is not as active.

 

[evangelist6589]

Am I on the Baptist Board site or the DoG-House site?

The rabbit board

 

[Don]

It depends on what one describes as "every act of evangelism."

I don't believe a church necessarily has to sanction trying to "evangelize" his/her own family/relatives. Nor do I believe it's necessary to have official church sanction to "evangelize" one's neighbors/co-workers, etc., when it's done on a face-to-face, person-to-person manner.

OTOH, if the "evangelism" is done using a church's name and is targeted at a rather large demographic, IMHO that type of "evangelism" probably should only be done under the "sanction" of that particular local church.

I would caveat this: if your evangelizing is associated with your church, then your church should have the right to know how they're being represented.

 

[evangelist6589]

I would caveat this: if your evangelizing is associated with your church, then your church should have the right to know how they're being represented.

I would agree. However in my case I don't use their name unless asked. I am glad they do not overseer their members like some of the Presbyterian churches do.

 

[evangelist6589]

It depends on what one describes as "every act of evangelism."



I don't believe a church necessarily has to sanction trying to "evangelize" his/her own family/relatives. Nor do I believe it's necessary to have official church sanction to "evangelize" one's neighbors/co-workers, etc., when it's done on a face-to-face, person-to-person manner.



OTOH, if the "evangelism" is done using a church's name and is targeted at a rather large demographic, IMHO that type of "evangelism" probably should only be done under the "sanction" of that particular local church.

I agree 100%. In my case it's my street evangelism and open air preaching. I do not broadcast my local church, but if asked where I go I am honest.