As leaders and people of the arts, we need to be very careful that the art does not overshadow the Gospel. We can subtly compromise the message of the Gospel, packaging services with creative flair, color and excellence. The compromise sneaks in when we place more focus and attention on the craft and our craftsmanship, rather than on Jesus.
Another mild, but scary possibility is that our Evangelism teams, present the Gospel to see hands raised, saying "Yes to Jesus", becoming converts, BUT we lose sight of the true goal of our service. That is to make disciples. We are not called to make converts for Christ, but disciples for Christ. Again, it is far too easy to slip into a mindset in our ministries that our job is done when people raise their hands to receive Christ. That is part of our missions goal (by God's grace and power) but we must have the Biblical conviction that we are called to make disciples, not just converts.
I'm asking our leaders and servants of Evangelism to deepen their conviction and raise the bar of their service. Our goal should be Christ-like lives, Christ centered relationships, Christ honoring presentations and services to make Christ called disciples!
May the goal of our service not be merely to serve the church, give back to the church or God, reach the community, present the Gospel - ALL IS noteworthy. But may we submit to the higher calling of making disciples! This calling is All Inclusive of presenting the Gospel of Jesus!
Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
