In the heart of Christian discipleship lies the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). This mandate is not just a suggestion, but a directive that should shape the mission of the church. Yet within the Reformed community, this mission and the practice of training up and equipping believers, both men and women, to be "fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19) through intentional evangelism appears to be neglected.
The Reformed community has shown great dedication in evangelizing and discipling our children in the home and teaching our children that the Bible is God’s Word. Parents and church leaders alike have taken great care to teach that God's Word is the ultimate authority and guide for knowing who God is, understanding who we are, and living a life that is pleasing to Him. From understanding the importance of prayer as a means of communicating with our Father who delights in hearing from His children now that we have been adopted as sons, to recognizing the importance of corporate worship and the preaching of the Word as a primary means of grace, the foundational elements of Christian discipleship are well-covered.
Additionally, the sacraments of baptism and communion serve as profound expressions of faith, marking the believer's identity in Christ and the unity of the church body. There is also fellowship among believers, as a family adopted through the blood of Christ, united in the faith, bearing one another’s burdens, and having a love for one another, building one another up in Christ.
As good as this may look in our approach to discipleship, we have notably omitted one vital aspect: evangelism. The call to follow Christ is inherently a call to evangelize, to become "fishers of men." Yet for decades, the church has neglected to teach and model evangelism as an integral part of the Christian life. This neglect has led to a comfort zone within the church walls, where many feel unequipped and apprehensive about stepping out into the world to share the Gospel.
There are many reasons for this reluctance, ranging from a perceived lack of gifting to fear of rejection, not knowing what to say, or simply not making evangelism a priority. But these excuses stand in stark contrast to the clear command: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). This discomfort and unfamiliarity with evangelism can largely be attributed to a lack of training from church leaders and minimal exposure to evangelism from a young age by parents. If children were to witness and participate in regular evangelistic efforts alongside their parents and church community, they would grow into adults for whom sharing the gospel is a natural and integral part of their life.
Imagine if our churches prioritized evangelism, not just as an occasional activity but as a core aspect of our mission. Training programs led by experienced evangelists could equip members to engage in various forms of street evangelism, from open-air preaching to one-on-one conversations, handing out tracts, manning the whiteboard, or simply standing among the group with a shirt that says “Repent and Believe the Gospel.” Such an approach would not only obey Christ's command but would significantly impact our communities, showing them the love and truth of the Gospel. Imagine the witness for Christ! Is He not worthy? He is!
The potential for transformation is immense should the church fully embrace our evangelistic duty. By putting the "go" back in the gospel, we could see a revival of faith extending beyond the church walls and into the streets, reaching those who may have never stepped inside a church. Though we do not measure success by the numbers that come into the church, we know that God will be pleased with our faithfulness to share the Gospel. Even if none come, God is glorified in the preaching of the Gospel. Perhaps, if God so chooses, the prayer lists filled with names of unsaved people could become testimonies of the power of the Gospel to save, as believers are sent out to share the good news.
In conclusion, while the Reformed community has made great strides in discipling within the family and church, a critical gap remains in our obedience to the Great Commission. It's time for a renewed focus on evangelism, to equip and encourage every believer to be an active participant in spreading the Gospel. By doing so, we fulfill our calling as followers of Christ and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in our world. Let us be faithful in this mission, for the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
The Reformed community has shown great dedication in evangelizing and discipling our children in the home and teaching our children that the Bible is God’s Word. Parents and church leaders alike have taken great care to teach that God's Word is the ultimate authority and guide for knowing who God is, understanding who we are, and living a life that is pleasing to Him. From understanding the importance of prayer as a means of communicating with our Father who delights in hearing from His children now that we have been adopted as sons, to recognizing the importance of corporate worship and the preaching of the Word as a primary means of grace, the foundational elements of Christian discipleship are well-covered.
Additionally, the sacraments of baptism and communion serve as profound expressions of faith, marking the believer's identity in Christ and the unity of the church body. There is also fellowship among believers, as a family adopted through the blood of Christ, united in the faith, bearing one another’s burdens, and having a love for one another, building one another up in Christ.
As good as this may look in our approach to discipleship, we have notably omitted one vital aspect: evangelism. The call to follow Christ is inherently a call to evangelize, to become "fishers of men." Yet for decades, the church has neglected to teach and model evangelism as an integral part of the Christian life. This neglect has led to a comfort zone within the church walls, where many feel unequipped and apprehensive about stepping out into the world to share the Gospel.
There are many reasons for this reluctance, ranging from a perceived lack of gifting to fear of rejection, not knowing what to say, or simply not making evangelism a priority. But these excuses stand in stark contrast to the clear command: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). This discomfort and unfamiliarity with evangelism can largely be attributed to a lack of training from church leaders and minimal exposure to evangelism from a young age by parents. If children were to witness and participate in regular evangelistic efforts alongside their parents and church community, they would grow into adults for whom sharing the gospel is a natural and integral part of their life.
Imagine if our churches prioritized evangelism, not just as an occasional activity but as a core aspect of our mission. Training programs led by experienced evangelists could equip members to engage in various forms of street evangelism, from open-air preaching to one-on-one conversations, handing out tracts, manning the whiteboard, or simply standing among the group with a shirt that says “Repent and Believe the Gospel.” Such an approach would not only obey Christ's command but would significantly impact our communities, showing them the love and truth of the Gospel. Imagine the witness for Christ! Is He not worthy? He is!
The potential for transformation is immense should the church fully embrace our evangelistic duty. By putting the "go" back in the gospel, we could see a revival of faith extending beyond the church walls and into the streets, reaching those who may have never stepped inside a church. Though we do not measure success by the numbers that come into the church, we know that God will be pleased with our faithfulness to share the Gospel. Even if none come, God is glorified in the preaching of the Gospel. Perhaps, if God so chooses, the prayer lists filled with names of unsaved people could become testimonies of the power of the Gospel to save, as believers are sent out to share the good news.
In conclusion, while the Reformed community has made great strides in discipling within the family and church, a critical gap remains in our obedience to the Great Commission. It's time for a renewed focus on evangelism, to equip and encourage every believer to be an active participant in spreading the Gospel. By doing so, we fulfill our calling as followers of Christ and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in our world. Let us be faithful in this mission, for the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
About The Author
Tom Sheppard
1689 Federalism | Amillennialism | General Equity Theonomist
Tom Sheppard and his wife, Debbie, are devoted members of Grace Bible Church of Boerne, where Tom leads the street evangelism ministry with the support of their church family and elders. For the past four years, he has been actively engaged in open-air preaching and street evangelism in various cities across Texas. Along with his wife and others, Tom distributes tracts and spreads the gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sheppard is the host of the Even If None podcast and a co-host of the Open Air Theology podcast.
1689 Federalism | Amillennialism | General Equity Theonomist
Tom Sheppard and his wife, Debbie, are devoted members of Grace Bible Church of Boerne, where Tom leads the street evangelism ministry with the support of their church family and elders. For the past four years, he has been actively engaged in open-air preaching and street evangelism in various cities across Texas. Along with his wife and others, Tom distributes tracts and spreads the gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sheppard is the host of the Even If None podcast and a co-host of the Open Air Theology podcast.
Posted in Christian Living
Posted in Discipleship, The Great Commission, Gospel Mission, Reformed Evangelism, Evangelism, Baptism, Communion, Identity, Children, Nations, The Local Church, Family Worship, Worship
Posted in Discipleship, The Great Commission, Gospel Mission, Reformed Evangelism, Evangelism, Baptism, Communion, Identity, Children, Nations, The Local Church, Family Worship, Worship
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