'Honest Evangelism' is a book about overcoming evangelism phobia. And it's therefore a book every
Christian needs to read!
When was the last time you spoke one-to-one with a
non-Christian friend about Jesus? Not about that you go to church, not about
some moral or ethical issue in the news, not even that you're a 'Christian' (that's
a misunderstood religious label by most people in the UK) - but about JESUS? If
it was so long ago you can't remember - you (like me) - need this book!
Written by Rico Tice - author of the Christianity
Explored course and Associate Minister at All Souls Langham Place, London -
it's an honest look at why we often find speaking up for Jesus so difficult and
what should motivate us to 'cross the painline'.
Some books on evangelism are discouraging because they pile
on the guilt, but Rico has a disarming ability to motivate as well as diagnose.
The end result is an immensely readable book - at times funny, at times challenging,
at times deeply personal - that not only led me to a greater understanding of
WHY I often find it hard to witness, but also HOW I can become more effective.
In the opening chapters, Rico diagnoses why we often find
it hard to speak up about Jesus. In a culture that is increasingly hostile to
the gospel, evangelism will be costly and we naturally shy away from this.
'I want to be honest: if you tell non-Christians about Jesus, it will be painful.'
However, Rico also goes on to show that while hostility
to the gospel may be growing, so is hunger for significance and purpose. Secularism
and materialism have left people feeling short changed. So when we share the
gospel, while we should expect to get hit, we should also expect to find a longing
for what the gospel offers and this should motivate us to cross the pain line.
Personally, I found chapter 3 the most insightful and
helpful: 'Why we (still) won't
evangelise'. Rico poses the question many a pastor has struggled to answer:
why is it that mature, compassionate, committed Christians don't evangelise?
His answer is right on the money: idolatry.
'Honest Evangelism'
is worth the price tag for this chapter alone. Illustrating from his own personal
experience, Rico shows how the idols in our hearts stop us speaking up for
Jesus. We need to uproot idols such as approval, acceptance, respectability and
love of self if we are to be effective witnesses.
'As long as Jesus is not my greatest love, I will keep quiet about him in order to serve my greatest love, my idol. I will keep quiet about him because I am afraid of losing my greatest love, my idol.'
The second half of the book is intensely practical. Chapter 5 is entitled: 'What do I say?' Rather than just list the gospel truths we need to
download in our non-Christian friends, Rico suggests a simple framework it can
be helpful to keep in mind as we witness:
'First, what do I need to say? Identity. Mission. Call. That's the gospel. Jesus' identity - who he is. Jesus' mission - why he came. Jesus' call - what he wants from us. Second, how do I need to engage people as I talk about Identity, Mission and Call? Understanding. Agreement. Impact. To put it bluntly: Do they get it? Do they agree with it? What are they doing about it?'
It's not rocket science, but it IS incredibly sticky! I've
found it a really simple way to make sure I stay on track as I share my faith. It
reminds me that I need to stay on message and get to Jesus.
One of the things I most loved about 'Honest Evangelism' is
that - unusually for an evangelist - Rico doesn't try to squeeze us all into
his mould. Chapter 6 is entitled: 'Be
Yourself' and I breathed a sigh of relief when I read it. God has given the
Church some who are specially gifted Evangelists - with a capital E. They are a
wonderful gift of God. However, in my experience they can often make the rest
of us feel intimidated and inadequate.
However Rico helpfully shows that while not all Christians
are Evangelists, all Christians are called to do the work of evangelism. Using
biblical examples, he encourages us to witness in the way God has made us. Peter
had a confrontational approach, Paul had a more intellectual approach, the
blind man in John 9 shared his testimony, while the woman at the well invited her friends to come and hear. And because
we are all different, God puts us in local church communities so that we can
reach all sorts of people.
'God has wired you to tell others in a way that allows you to be yourself. Evangelism is not just for extroverts, brainboxes or full-timers. It is your job and in the Lord's strength you can do it.'
The last couple of chapters are full of lots more practical
wisdom on how to get started in the context of the post-Christian culture in
which we now live. Again, Rico is both insightful and honest about the obstacles
we face today as we seek to share the gospel:
'Witnessing takes time and effort... Research suggest that when people put their faith in Christ, on average it's taken two years from the point when they came into meaningful contact with a Christian who witnessed to them - and that time is growing.'
While - as the title suggests - 'Honest Evangelism' is always
honest, it is also shot through with hope and faith in a God who is determined to
save. In the last chapter Rico challenges us to have the same compassion Jesus
had for lost people. We are to pray but we are also to be obedient. As I
finished the book, I felt more determined than ever to 'cross the pain line'
with my own friends and speak up about Jesus.
'Where is your harvest field? It's your workplace, your family, your street, your sports club, your social group. Who knows what harvest is there? Who knows how many people have been praying for years for the people you will sit next to or speak to today? This is the corner of the global harvest field where Jesus says to you: Go, proclaim the kingdom.'
Get your copy of 'Honest Evangelism' from our e-bookstore HERE
