Moments of Crisis: Is Evangelism Appropriate? by Brenda K. Styers Minister to Singles, Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, and adjunct professor, Southern Nazarene University We have all heard jokes about lawyers as "ambulance chasers" and when we consider this image, we often find ourselves empathizing with the victims. How awful that someone would want to prey on those who are suffering, those in need. Yet, this was the very image that came to mind when I was initially presented with the idea that I should "look into" crisis evangelism. It is as if my new mental image was that of the preacher joining the lawyer together chasing the ambulance while planning their "attack." I had to shake my head a couple of times in dismay that I would think such a thing and to get the image out of my head. Just as I know the image of the lawyer is an incorrect stereotype of most lawyers, I also know that my initial reaction to the ideal of "crisis evangelism" can easily throw the preacher into that same stereotype. Thus began my challenge of looking into the biblical foundations and the appropriate image of crisis evangelism. As the image faded, I set out for the library and bookstore. A thorough search of the index catalog revealed thousands of choices regarding evangelism and an ample supply of resources to deal with churches in crises or communities in crises. However, nothing was available to address the concept of crisis evangelism. Not willing to jump out on my own, I began to explore resources that might possibly lead me toward a biblically correct view of crisis evangelism. To my delight, these resources shined adequate light on the subject, sparking my interest and ultimately leading me to conclude that there is sound theology for crisis evangelism. The following information is designed to provide teachers or individuals with information they can use as a resource to challenge their own view about using moments of crisis as an opportunity to evangelize as well as encourage others to see moments of crisis as opportunities for evangelism. EVANGELISM DEFINED The Webster's New World Dictionary defines evangelism as: "1: a preaching of, or zealous effort to spread, the gospel, as in revival meetings or by televised services 2: any zealous effort in propagandizing for a cause." While most evangelical Americans are familiar with the term evangelism, it may be more in the context that is presented by this definition, leaving them with a feeling that evangelism is something very public and often presented in a strong, demonstrative method. One can dive deep into the vast pools of material that explores the definition of evangelism from both a biblical standpoint and through the eyes of church history. Discussion will include scholars' opinions regarding missions verses evangelism and the role of the church, pastor, and people in evangelism. We will not take the road of evaluating the literature, but we will define evangelism so that we can work from the same point of reference. For this definition, we will call upon author Walter Klaiber and the definition he outlines in his book, Call and Response: Biblical Foundations of a Theology of Evangelism: The fundamental testimony of God's salvific act in Jesus Christ. It takes place in public sermons and private conversations. It is directed toward persons who are not yet acquainted with the gospel or who have not yet understood its fundamental meaning for their lives. It is in a special way oriented towards the men and women to which it is addressed, that is, it has as its goal that men and women very personally recognize and accept that which God has done as salvation and as a new foundation of their lives and live from it.1 Using Klaiber's definition establishes two main points that you will want to keep in mind and stress in encouraging others. First, evangelism takes place in a variety of locations. While evangelism is often very public, it is also an action that takes place in private. This is a simple point, but one that must be emphasized so that those of us who are non-clergy are faced with the fact that we cannot stand behind the clergy and say, "It's your job." This is especially important as we address the responsibility of evangelism during moments of crisis. This point is also important because it moves us out of the public arena and into the privacy of homes, hospital chapels, etc. as an appropriate venue for evangelizing. We can make assumptions about the appropriateness of crisis evangelism and justify it by simply saying that it is God's will that everyone be saved, so it must be OK to use every opportunity to share the gospel for the purpose of evangelizing. However, we want to move beyond generalities and explore specifics within Scripture. NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES The New Testament distinguishes various layers of the theological use of evangelism.2 Obviously, the New Testament letters have numerous references to evangelism since this is a key focus of the disciples and the Apostle Paul. However, the principle of evangelism in the New Testament is first introduced through the teachings of Jesus, specifically in Matthew and Luke. Gaines S. Dobbins in his book Evangelism According to Christ states, "The majority of the instances in which Jesus dealt with persons with a view to winning them to discipleship were unpremeditated."3 He identifies several examples of this practice. The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-26). The meeting with the woman at the well was not a planned encounter; Jesus' journey put him in the presence of someone in need. His example teaches that he captured the moment not by just meeting an emotional or physical need, but by sharing the very essence of a new life. Other examples of Jesus incorporating his willingness to meet people at their point of need include: o When he came down from the mountainside, . . . a man with leprosy came and knelt before him... (Matthew 8:1a, 2a.) o While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him. . . (Matthew 9:18a) o [During the above encounter] Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding. . . (Matthew 9:20a) o As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of is mother, and she was a widow. (Luke 7:17) o One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee... There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy... (Luke 14:1a, 2a) These examples and many more give a clear picture of Jesus' practice to seize the moment. Dobbins says, "Perhaps the most striking single thing about the method of Jesus in his disciple winning was his opportunism." Dobbins cautions against developing procedures that cause evangelism to become institutionalized. He says, "[Evangelism] is the experience and witness of the believer meeting the need of the unbeliever. The stances in which this may occur are as varied as life itself."4 And Dobbins points to Jesus' examples as a reminder that fixed formulas and routine - procedures that fail to recognize the vital impact of personality upon personality whenever and wherever opportunities arise should be guarded against. Jesus' treatment of crisis moments is support enough for us to view such moments in the lives of our acquaintances, friends, and family as an opportunity to share the Good News. However, threads of biblical support for crisis evangelism are also woven in the Old Testament. OLD TESTAMENT FOUNDATION Klaiber outlines several Old Testament verses connected with the Greek word evangelizesthai and its use in the New Testament. The Greek version of the Old Testament translates the Hebrew verb bsr (Pi'el) with evangelizesthai. The basic meaning of the Hebrew word is "the bearing of good tiding." The word is used in three ways: o The proclamation in worship of God's saving help of Israel (Ps 40:10, 96:2, Isa 60:6). o The proclamation of God's already fulfilled saving help (Nah 2:1, Isa 52:7, Isa. 40:9). o The proclamation of a word of salvation and a joyful message of God (Isa. 61:1). Stop for a moment and let this sink in. God's salvation was His way of evangelizing to His children—at their moments of crises. Isa 61:1, the most striking of all the passages, reads: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, (italics added). CRISIS EVANGELISM: A MODERN DAY STORY All of our search for the biblical foundation for crisis evangelism would be in vain if we were not willing to apply the principles in our world today. Here is a story about one man—not a pastor—and his experience with crisis evangelism. The phone rang about 10:00 p.m. It had been a long, hard day and my wife and I just looked at one another. Do we answer the phone? On the third ring I gave in. The voice on the other end of the line was filled with excitement, but I could also hear a bit of anxiousness. It was a friend from the distant past, someone I knew from business, but who also knew of my commitment to the Lord. And that is why he was calling. Only earlier that day his son-in-law, a young man in his early forties, had heard the dreaded news, "The test results are positive. You have cancer." Now he was scared of what the future would hold; afraid of eternity. My friend explained that his daughter, who had been raised in the church, had turned away from her relationship with God many years ago. His son-in-law had never had a relationship with Christ and they had a teenage daughter—a beautiful daughter, her grandfather bragged. Life had been comfortable with many of the typical ups and downs families face—until today when everything was turned upside down. As the day came to a close, this husband, father, average man had begun to ask questions, ultimately saying, "I want to pray, but I don't know how." Thus, my friend's call to me. He was certain I was more "qualified" to pray with his family. Of course, I was willing and told him to have them call me to schedule a time. I knew the next day would be busy with client appointments and other commitments, but I would make time. Tomorrow would not work for my friend. "Could you go tonight?" It was almost 10:00 p.m. Did they want me there so late? I asked him to call his family. If they wanted me to come right now I would. The phone rang again only minutes later. They were waiting. On the short drive to this couple's home, I tried to imagine what the day had been like. What were the emotions and questions they had experienced? I asked for God's help. Obviously, He was at work and I was one of His tools in this unfolding story. Stacey answered the door. You could tell she had been crying; her make-up still showed the smudges and her eyes were red. She quickly redirected her daughter to bed and joined Matt and I in the living room. I won't go through all of our conversation, but after expressing my concern for Matt's diagnosis and listening to their feelings and questions, I shared the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Stacey and Matt seemed to soak in every word I said and when I asked if they were ready to start a relationship with Christ, both responded eagerly, "Yes!" The drive home was as if I was floating. I smiled and sang praises as I heard Stacey's voice echo in my mind, "I can't wait to tell our daughter that she has a new daddy." Hearing the news that someone you love or you yourself have cancer is one of the most devastating moments of crisis that our modern world has to offer. While modern medicine can give some hope that the cancer can be brought into remission and even in some cases completely eradicated, there is always a questions in the back of everyone's mind, "Will it come back?" For this family—and this "lay evangelist"—this moment of crisis became the beginning of New Life. CONCLUSION As I reflect on God's care for his children, as I read account after account where He met them in their moment of crisis, as I even think of God searching for Adam in the Garden of Eden (now that was a moment of crisis). I am drawn to conclude that the very nature of God is to reach out. FOOTNOTES 1 Klaiber, Walter, Call and Response . Biblical Foundations of a Theology of Evangelism (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997), p. 26. 2 Klaiber, Walter, Call and Response: Biblical Foundations of a Theology of Evangelism (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997), p. 22. 3 Dobbins, Gaines S., Evangelism According to Christ (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1954), P. 201. 4 Dobbins, Gaines S., Evangelism According to Christ (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1954), P. 201.