Requesting elder authority/support regarding street evangelism

[Revmitchell]

You CAN'T focus on *only* Mark, just as none of us can *only* focus on Matthew. ALL scripture must be used.

I disagree. He focuses only on Mark because it looks like it supports his presupposition. It is within scriptural bounds and proper exegesis to look at say Matthew 28:18-20 to show his error. Using the Mark 16 passage in no way negates Matthew 28:18-20 which he is trying to do. Not only is his use of that passage incorrect eisegesis but it does violence to scripture as it works to discount a portion of scripture altogether. In other words it appears he would rather just rip out the Matthew 28 passage. He presents them as if they are in conflict with each other. Of course this cannot be true so the onus is on him to show how he can take the Mark 16 passage and interpret it the way he does in light of Matthew 28.

He cannot do that so he avoids Matthew 28 like the plague.

 

[evangelist6589]

I disagree. He focuses only on Mark because it looks like it supports his presupposition. It is within scriptural bounds and proper exegesis to look at say Matthew 28:18-20 to show his error. Using the Mark 16 passage in no way negates Matthew 28:18-20 which he is trying to do. Not only is his use of that passage incorrect eisegesis but it does violence to scripture as it works to discount a portion of scripture altogether. In other words it appears he would rather just rip out the Matthew 28 passage. He presents them as if they are in conflict with each other. Of course this cannot be true so the onus is on him to show how he can take the Mark 16 passage and interpret it the way he does in light of Matthew 28.

He cannot do that so he avoids Matthew 28 like the plague.

Wrong! Matt 28 is scripture just as Mark 16 is. God calls people to make disciples and he calls people to evangelize the lost. If one evangelizes but fails to make disciples perhaps he is better gifted at evangelism over discipleship.

 

[evangelist6589]

Just heard back from the church and they will support my street evangelism ministry in prayer.

 

[TCassidy]

Wrong! Matt 28 is scripture just as Mark 16 is. God calls people to make disciples and he calls people to evangelize the lost. If one evangelizes but fails to make disciples perhaps he is better gifted at evangelism over discipleship.

You can't know that little about the bible and still be qualified to preach.

And you can't be in open rebellion against God and still be qualified to preach.

And you can't be in open violation of your vows and still be qualified to preach.

 

[JonShaff]

So you are the Leader of a Ministry in Open/unrepented Sin? ("my street ministry" (with another fellow))

Mr. Evangelist,

I'm going to be frank. You are not an evangelist. You are a "self proclaimed" evangelist. Just because you speak the truths concerning the gospel, that does not qualify you as an evangelist. It's natural for someone to get saved and then want to share their faith. Not only is it natural, but healthy. That doesn't mean God has commissioned them to be a preacher/evangelist. Please rethink what you do, for Christ's Sake. Repent, Reorganize your self and life. Walk in the Light, restore your Fellowship with The Savior. I beg you.

 

[Revmitchell]

Wrong! Matt 28 is scripture just as Mark 16 is. God calls people to make disciples and he calls people to evangelize the lost. If one evangelizes but fails to make disciples perhaps he is better gifted at evangelism over discipleship.

Or perhaps he is being disobedient to scripture. Anyway your focus on Mark 16 alone says something other than I am wrong.

 

[InTheLight]

Wrong! Matt 28 is scripture just as Mark 16 is. God calls people to make disciples and he calls people to evangelize the lost. If one evangelizes but fails to make disciples perhaps he is better gifted at evangelism over discipleship.

You're splitting hairs. Evangelism IS making disciples. It is not merely preaching and then accepting that no one responds. God does not send out people to preach the gospel with the expectation that no one will be saved.

Show us where the Bible says one should expect no fruit, no conversions when the gospel is preached.

 

[Yeshua1]

I think that you are right to seek the support of your church in evangelism. Christians do not work alone, and a “lone” evangelist can be a dangerous thing (we are meant to work as a member of the church body).

I am not sure how your church works, but mine requires new members to be a member for a year before teaching or leading a ministry (although there may be exceptions). For me this means that although I’ve preached at this church in the past (recently, in fact), being a new member I will have to wait to teach or lead a ministry. It is important not only that your ministry work be a part of the ministry of your local church but also that your fellow members know you, know your doctrine, and send you out. They, in this way, get to share in your ministry because it does not belong to you but to Christ.

If you don’t know you church members well, then perhaps it would also be a good idea to spend time getting to know them and learning to function with this new church body (this part is hard for me….I’m not a “people person”).

Good luck.

He is showing wisdom in getting his elders and church to support his ministry formal fashion, but has he recovered from his divorce sufficient enough to right now pursue this?

Maybe the Lord would want our brother to take down time and try to sort this all out first?

 

[evangelist6589]

He is showing wisdom in getting his elders and church to support his ministry formal fashion, but has he recovered from his divorce sufficient enough to right now pursue this?

Maybe the Lord would want our brother to take down time and try to sort this all out first?

They are going to pray and support me. Received 2 emails today.

 

[evangelist6589]

Or perhaps he is being disobedient to scripture. Anyway your focus on Mark 16 alone says something other than I am wrong.

That's right. You are wrong.

 

[Don]

They are going to pray and support me. Received 2 emails today.

So - you sent it as an email instead of listening to the two or three people who advised you to do the request in person?

 

[John of Japan]

Neither Mark 16:15-16 promise conversions when you go out to witness. Verse 16 says that "whoever believes, and whoever does not believe" indicating that conversions MAY not happen.

And by similar logic, it presupposes that conversions will happen. The word "baptized" there is an aorist participle. This grammar presumes that someone has actually believed through the giving of the Gospel.

If the true Gospel is given in the power of the Holy Spirit, someone will be saved at some time who can then be baptized.

 

[evangelist6589]

So - you sent it as an email instead of listening to the two or three people who advised you to do the request in person?

It does not matter. The results were in my favor.

 

[Jerome]

But were you upfront with these 'Elders' about how you're trying to pit Mark 16 against Matthew 28 to excuse your avoiding following up with any (non-existent) converts?

 

[Don]

It does not matter. The results were in my favor.

"Your" favor? As opposed to who else's favor? You make it sound as if you won; were you in a battle?

Because you may have won a tactical skirmish; but you've missed out on the larger strategy.

They'll pray for you; but who among them will go out with you?

And because you chose to keep your distance, you've now set yourself further apart.

If you thought it went in your favor as opposed to mine, or others on this board; you understood NOTHING about what we were trying to help you accomplish. We weren't against you; we were trying to help you build bridges and work with the fellow members of your church family; and thus, help them grow even as they help you grow.

But I expect you to not understand any of this, nor to understand the opportunity you've completely missed out on.

 

[evangelist6589]

"Your" favor? As opposed to who else's favor? You make it sound as if you won; were you in a battle?

Because you may have won a tactical skirmish; but you've missed out on the larger strategy.

They'll pray for you; but who among them will go out with you?

And because you chose to keep your distance, you've now set yourself further apart.

If you thought it went in your favor as opposed to mine, or others on this board; you understood NOTHING about what we were trying to help you accomplish. We weren't against you; we were trying to help you build bridges and work with the fellow members of your church family; and thus, help them grow even as they help you grow.

But I expect you to not understand any of this, nor to understand the opportunity you've completely missed out on.

Relax pal. I work more than 60 hours a week. No they are big on friendship evangelism and therefore I would not expect them to join me and besides I do not need the help anyways as I have a friend but even if I did not I work better alone anyways.

 

[Don]

Relax pal. I work more than 60 hours a week. No they are big on friendship evangelism and therefore I would not expect them to join me and besides I do not need the help anyways as I have a friend but even if I did not I work better alone anyways.

Thank you for confirming exactly what I wrote.

 

[annsni]

I would seriously question a church that supports someone being in ministry like this who is in open, unrepentant and blatant sin. It makes me wonder about the health of the church.

 

[InTheLight]

I would seriously question a church that supports someone being in ministry like this who is in open, unrepentant and blatant sin. It makes me wonder about the health of the church.

It's likely that they don't know much about Evan6589 except through emails.

 

[TCassidy]

Could this be why he went "church shopping" a couple months ago?