Mere Missions

T he G ospel : E vangelize • 123

sidetracked into all kinds of secondary and social services which in themselves may be good and uplifting, but they do not constitute the essential ministry of the church. Satan never minds a busy church, but he hates a holy and gospel preaching church because the gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.

~ G. W. Peters, A Biblical Theology of Missions , p. 198.

There is a “Ted Talk” by Simon Senek that has close to ten million views. Simon talks about the Golden Circle which offers an interesting simple insight in to why some corporate organizations have achieved such an exceptional degree of influence. Most corporations think, act, and communicate from the outside in of the Golden Circle. They move from the outer circle of “What (services and products)” to the inner circle, “Why (purpose, cause, or belief).” And for good reason – they go from the tangible to the intangible. In between the outer ring and the inner circle is a middle ring which is “How (how they do it).” Rarely do corporations know or say “Why” they do “What” they do. Let me apply Simon Senek’s Golden Circle, to The Church to give us a simple insight to evangelism. If the Church’s purpose, cause, belief (The Why) is souls, then it sets the broad course of action for the “What” and “How” of the Church. The broad course of action for The Church’s “What” (services and products) is the Gospel. The broad course of action for the Church’s “How” (how they do it) is proclamation/ evangelism. Evangelism is not focused on changing behavior. The focus is on changing relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Let the Holy Spirit change behavior. Social action is not to replace the prophetic voice of the church. No matter how feeble that voice is. We do not bring reconciliation/salvation but bring the message of reconciliation/salvation (2 Cor. 5.19-21). We are under the solemn responsibility to make known the unsearchable riches of Christ among the nations.