“AND HE GAVE SOME APOSTLES; AND SOME PROPHETS; AND SOME,ANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST." EPHESIANS 4:11-12
DEAR SBC CHURCHES, PASTORS, and CHRISTIAN LEADERS,
In scripture Paul instructed the Ephesian Christians (Eph.4:11-12) concerning the spiritual gifts which were given to members of the Body of Christ for the edification and completion of the Church. Among these gifts was listed the gift of the evangelist, which we understand as the special anointing to communicate the gospel message. There are many within the Church who have been blessed with this gift of evangelism and who exercise it with much success but who are not called of God into evangelism as a life’s work.
Vocational evangelists differ from others who possess the gift of evangelism in that they feel a special call of God to pursue evangelism as a vocation. This entails the freedom to go anywhere at anytime and to be used as a harvest evangelist, a music evangelist, as a revivalist, or as a special conference leader. This directory is a list of the gifted evangelists we have in COSBE.
WHY SOULD I USE A VOCATIONAL EVANGELIST?
In Ephesians 4:16 we read, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
In the same chapter in which Paul introduces the gifts of the Spirit for the edifying of the Body of Christ, he also established the necessity for each gift to be exercised to its fullest potential for the up-building of the Kingdom of God. Remember that those who are truly called to a ministry and should be used to their fullest potential by the Church for the glory of God.
It is also important to realize that though there are many good preachers who are gifted in the presentation of the gospel in a revival setting, there are those who have a special anointing for evangelism. According to the scripture just sited, the Body of Christ will be its healthiest when each part or joint contributes that gift with which it is uniquely equipped. This can only be accomplished when church leaders and pastors recognize and utilize one of its greatest resources, the vocational evangelist.
HOW TO SCHEDULE A VOCATIONAL EVANGELIST
The North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention maintains a printed directory of vocational evangelists, including names, addresses and areas of ministry. This directory is provided to assist in your search for a Vocational Evangelist. To request a printed copy of the directory of SBC evangelists, contact your State Evangelism Office, or the North American Mission Board (770-410-6315).
Once God has laid upon your heart the desire to invite a vocational evangelist to your church, you should begin contacting several evangelists as soon as possible. Your first contact with an evangelist should include questions about the person’s ministry, call, and recent places of services. You may want to request a brochure, biographical sheet, or a list of references from the evangelist. The vocational evangelist will be open to providing the information you request and the two of you should agree to pray about the possibilities of ministering together in the future. The vocational evangelist understands that every request for information does not imply a firm commitment or invitation to minister with a church, therefore one should not be shy about contacting numerous evangelists before making a final decision.
When you have decided upon which vocational evangelist matches the needs and goals of your church, you should contact the evangelist to discuss possible dates and preparation plans. Many evangelists have full schedules for months in advance and one should not be discouraged when the first date requested is not available. Remember that working with an evangelist is a partnership and a partnership requires flexibility, communication and trust.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A VOCATIONAL EVANGELIST
Once a date has been confirmed with a vocational evangelist, the pastor and evangelist should agree to begin praying for the event. The pastor should also lead the church in a concerted effort of prayer for the upcoming event. Many churches have successfully used home/cottage prayer meetings, special prayer services or daily-designated prayer times. Prayer may be the most important element in preparation for an event with a vocational evangelist.
The church leader should clearly communicate to the church the calling and ministry of the vocational evangelist. This includes the fact that vocational evangelist does not receive a guaranteed salary each week. Instead, the evangelist is dependent on financial gifts, love offerings and honorariums. The church should take into consideration the financial needs of a vocational evangelist. This includes reimbursement for the expenses incurred in traveling to and from the church and in providing for the expenses incurred while at the church. A nightly love offering plus an honorarium from the church may insure that the church’s financial responsibility to the evangelist is met. Remember that when you give to an evangelist you are providing the basic financial needs for the evangelist and the evangelist’s family as well as making an investment in the evangelist’s ministry.
Travel arrangements, expense reimbursement and the taking of love offerings should be discussed with the evangelist as soon as possible after an event is scheduled and confirmed. This allows the vocational evangelist to maintain a budget and also insure that there is no miscommunication. Thank you for your heart for the lost and your desire to reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
