In this series of texts from the book? Deliberately Church? (Faithful Editor), we will take a closer look at what evangelization is and what it is not:
Many well-meaning pastors never try to manipulate anyone into repenting and creating, but some of the methods we use to share the gospel can be subtly manipulative, let us realize it or not. Sometimes pastors use music in an emotion-laden, especially gentle way. music during an invitation or prayer that attracts the affections of listeners and mistakenly encourages a decision based on feelings for Christ; on the other hand, there are pastors who use music so stimulating that they end up leading listeners to a frenzy of expressiveness that is not Other pastors exert social pressure by singing the same verse of a hymn several times, seeking people to say a prayer or approach, until someone finally surrenders; others even use aggressive language tactics to pressure people to recite the prayer of salvation.
- We should not want our gospel presentations or invitations to be shaped so we think it will “consume the sale.
- “If our presentation of the gospel is configured in this way.
- It will reveal that we understand conversion as something we can orchestrate; and such an understanding does not correspond to the truth.
- Instead of using all our ability to convince and change the sinner.
- Keeping God in the background.
- As a cordial man waiting quietly for the spiritual corpse.
- His declared spiritual enemy.
- To invite him to his heart.
- We must preach the gospel.
- Like nice people who try to persuade but know they can’t convert.
- Let us stay in the background as God uses all his power to convince.
- Convert.
- And change the sinner.
- Then we will see clearly who has the power to encourage the dead.
Text of the book Church Deliberately, Chapter 3 “Evangelization with Responsibility”, excerpt “Avoid manipulations?(p. 68 and 69).
Authors: Mark Dever and Paul Alexander
From the original:? The deliberate Church? (Pages 54 to 57).
Translation: Francisco Wellington Ferreira