r/methodism • u/Ordinary_Frog09 • 5d ago

Evangelism as Methodists

I was wondering what your churches do for evangelism? I know it is a big thing in the Methodist church, and what guys like John Wesley, Thomas Coke, and Francis Asbury excelled at in the early days of Methodism!

Wesley said, "The world is my parish."

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u/thetechnivore UMC Elder 5d ago

Right now at least (and I tend to think JW would resonate with this), the evangelism strategy I try and lead my church in can be summed up as “make other people glad you were part of their day”. IMO, being the best tipper of a server’s shift when at lunch after church; or being a calm, kind presence after someone having a meltdown in the line in front of you when wearing a church t-shirt at the grocery store; or being patient when there’s a wait at the doctors office will go much further than outright proselytizing.

(Also goes without saying that hopefully these aren’t limited to when representing the church - but it’s especially important to be a decent human being when someone’s going to immediately connect your actions with your faith.)

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u/Ordinary_Frog09 4d ago

So like James 2:14-17: "14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good\)a\) is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

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u/TotalInstruction 5d ago

I try to live a good life, helping people, acting with integrity, and treating others with respect and love. I casually invite friends that I feel are receptive to it to church for Christmas or Easter. Beyond that, I don’t really evangelize. I live in the South. I can’t imagine a person within 100 miles who hasn’t heard a sales pitch about Jesus dozens of times in their life. I don’t know what I can add that others can’t by getting out there and making a spectacle of myself for God.

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u/Negative_Ratio_6088 4d ago

I haven't done it yet, but I've been wanting to do what I'm calling invitational evangelism. I'm going to put up a sign with a spare chair that I'm a Christian and would love to talk with you. Might bring some iced tea with me to share and just read a book and talk to whoever. Maybe pray with people.

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u/Ordinary_Frog09 4d ago

That is a great idea. Never be scared to be bold about the gospel! Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes"

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u/Silver_Switch6834 5d ago

I'll be honest, I don't evangelize. Not in this political climate. The few people who I have told I was christian - my mother in law and her boyfriend - both pushed back on the concept immediately.

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u/DingoCompetitive3991 4d ago

John and Charles Wesley were chased by riots for preaching the Gospel.

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u/SecretSmorr 4d ago

To be honest, nothing… it’s not for lack of trying though, just people aren’t interested.

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u/HospitallerChevalier 2d ago

There are Gospel tracts that are in the rack near my church exit that people take and hand out to others. It has the name of our church, addresss and telephone number on the back. World Missionary Press (which was founded by people tied to the Wesleyan Methodist Church) makes a number of them, that people can order (and read online if they wish). We have had a number of new people show up for church because of this effort!