Are evangelism and ecumenism poles apart?
Does our preparation for a decade of, evangelism and L.1.F.E. (Leadership In Faithful Evangelism) mean that we will abandon our commitment to a shared and cooperative ministry with other Churches and denominations?
Within the last few months I have heard such questions as these raised both within the Diocese and the larger Church. In an attempt to further clarify and define what we mean and do not mean by the term evangelism, in what follows I shall discuss some aspects of the relationship of evangelism and ecumenism.
Are they opposites?
If evangelism is defined only as “Church growth” and “increasing membership”, it is easy to understand why evangelism might seem to be the very opposite of ecumenical ministry. Ecumenism calls for a sharing of ministry based on what we have in common with other Christian bodies. Evangelism defined only as “Church growth” too often emphasizes the uniqueness or the superiority of one Church group in relation to others.
“Proselytizing’’ or “sheep stealing” are specific outcomes and examples of viewing evangelism in this way. Such a narrow and distorted view of evangelism carries with it a suspicion and avoidance of shared ecumenical ministry.
While few Episcopalians define evangelism in this way, elements of this understanding can be heard and found in comments such as:
“How come our priest spends so much time and effort working with the ministerial association when he/she could be out finding new members?”
“Why do we have a line item in our diocesan budget for the Association of Christian Churches? What do they do and couldn’t that money be better spent on diocesan programs that would build membership?”
“We’re so small already, what we need to do is to find some unhappy (fill in the blank with Lutherans, Roman Catholic, Methodists, etc.). After all, they have more members than they know what to do with.”
“Let’s forget all this ecumenical sharing and take care of our own needs. If we don’t get more members, we won’t be able to keep our church going financially.”
Insnatch or outreach?
The above remarks reflect and betray a definition of evangelism that has more to do with “insnatch” than “outreach”. Such comments suggest that evangelism has primarily to do with membership and money, while viewing ecumenism as a secondary concern at best or worse as a distraction from denominational loyalty.
In relating evangelism and ecumenism, I want to argue for the opposite view. Stated simply, evangelism by its very nature is ecumenical. The message of the evangelist is a message of sharing, caring and unity.
The claim of the Gospel as articulated by the evangelist is that Jesus came to save all persons, not just a select few who call themselves by this Church name or that Church name. Evangelism is “outreach” not “insnatch.” As such, it is a cooperative and shared ministry.
I do not think it accidental that many other Churches and denominations are emphasizing evangelism as we enter the decade of the 1990s. While lagging membership and decreasing dollars may be motivating factors, I sense a much more basic concern in current ecumenical and denominational evangelistic efforts. The concern is that the Good News of Jesus Christ be heard and shared in a world gone mad, a world intent on destroying itself.
The good news of justice, peace, forgiveness, truth and love must be shared with a world that is becoming increasingly insensitive to growing violence, crime, racism, selfishness and greed.
Need moral outrage
We have lost our capacity for moral outrage. Increasingly, we accept the unacceptable as, “Unfortunately, that’s the way things are.” Evangelism is a dramatic call for repentance, a call to conversion.
The message of the evangelist carries with it an invitation: will we follow Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life?
Will we voice a resolute NO to any and all forms of violence and human degradation?
Will we live for the other rather than self?
Will we be courageous enough to risk lack of acceptance as persons and Churches because we say NO to the morally unacceptable in any and all forms?
Such concerns are common and shared concerns for all who bear the name Christian and follow Jesus. Such concerns are ecumenical.
The call of the evangelist is always mediated through and by a particular point in history, culture and tradition. As such, the message of the evangelist is specific, not generic. But the substance, content and truth of the evangelist’s message is universal. By its very nature it is ecumenical and calls for an ecumenical response.