Does mass evangelism really work?

[JAS4Yeshua]

Neither am I saying mass evangelism does not win some to the Lord. But what mass crusades do is absorb a lot of energy and money to accomplish such relatively little return. There’s just not enough bang for the buck. And what it does is distract us from the NT pattern of evangelism by thinking that evangelism is what the evangelist does, relieving us of our responsibility to be salt and light and ready to give anyone who asks us a reason for the hope that is in us.

When I hear that a crusade won 2000 souls to Christ, I (who have been involved in too many of them) know that that probably means less than 100 people truly came to know Christ who could have been won more effectively and at less cost by simply giving them, one-on-one a reason for the hope that is in us. For the most part, mass crusades are more smoke than fire, make us feel like something is really being done (just look at the reported numbers) and we are blinded by the glitz of it all.

There is a better way. The NT way.

~Jim

People with nothing to hide hide nothing.​

If the money is being used to further the kingdom, then does it matter if there's "not enough bang for the buck?" As I said before, it is one of many tools, and its "success" cannot be compared to any other method. For all we know the full rate across the board for all the different methods is 5% just like the evangelical events.

I'm not discounting the way you are talking about either, or even the statistics you have mentioned. I'm simply saying mass evangelism does work. Maybe not to the level that you would like, but, again, that is something we do our best to overcome. It isn't our work, but God's through the Holy Spirit.

Just remember, a relative few people are going to accept the Gospel, no matter what happens. God doesn't give figures, but says that many will go to destruction. I, for one, will use any method the Holy Spirit directs in order to try to show people the way. If that is a large evangelical outreach, I'll do my part. If it is a one-on-one conversation, I'll do my part. I will not discount anything, just because some abuse their powers, or it might not have enough "monetary" return.

 

[JAS4Yeshua]

But if 100 are damaged or disillusioned in our effort to reach one soul, is that a good thing?

~Jim

People with nothing to hide hide nothing.​

If 100 people are damaged or disillusioned by preaching the Gospel to individuals one-on-one in our effort to reach one soul, is that a good thing?

If 100 people are damaged or disillusioned by the church in our effort to reach one soul, is that a good thing?

The fact is, no matter what you do, people are going to become damaged or disillusioned, because it isn't US doing it. If it is, we're in BIG trouble. It is the Holy Spirit that guides us. Even so, there are those who will reject the Holy Spirit and the Gospel message. Does that mean we stop preaching?

Let's stop and listen to the Holy Spirit, and realize that each item has its strengths and its weaknesses. Each item will leave some damaged or disillusioned, no matter what we do to prevent it. To discard one tool because you see some numbers you don't like takes away one tool that God and the Holy Spirit is using to reach the lost, and to sow the seeds for others to harvest in the future.

 

[JimB]

If the money is being used to further the kingdom, then does it matter if there's "not enough bang for the buck?" As I said before, it is one of many tools, and its "success" cannot be compared to any other method. For all we know the full rate across the board for all the different methods is 5% just like the evangelical events.

I'm not discounting the way you are talking about either, or even the statistics you have mentioned. I'm simply saying mass evangelism does work. Maybe not to the level that you would like, but, again, that is something we do our best to overcome. It isn't our work, but God's through the Holy Spirit.

Just remember, a relative few people are going to accept the Gospel, no matter what happens. God doesn't give figures, but says that many will go to destruction. I, for one, will use any method the Holy Spirit directs in order to try to show people the way. If that is a large evangelical outreach, I'll do my part. If it is a one-on-one conversation, I'll do my part. I will not discount anything, just because some abuse their powers, or it might not have enough "monetary" return.

I am no longer infatuated with mass evangelism, having been involved in a dozen of them, including four Billy Graham Crusades. I have really tried to take n honest look at it, hear those who have been involved in them (and a few who have either been disillusioned or burned-out by them) and have come to the conclusion that mass evangelism is one of the least productive means of winning (and keeping) the lost.

And I repeat …

There is a better way. The NT way. And that does not include mass crusades.

~Jim

​

People with nothing to hide hide nothing.​

 

[JimB]

*****

If 100 people are damaged or disillusioned by the church in our effort to reach one soul, is that a good thing?

*****

No!!! Absolutely not!!! There is no excuse for offending people. It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. ~Jesus Christ.

~Jim

​

People with nothing to hide hide nothing.​

 

[JAS4Yeshua]

And I repeat, we don't know if one way is better or another. All we know is the Holy Spirit uses mass evangelical outreaches just like He uses other methods. Let's be directed by the Holy Spirit, and not by our own feelings or opinions.

 

[TasManOfGod]

There is simple fact well understood in the natural but seemingly hard to grasp hold in the spiritual -when a baby is born it should be looked after and not left to its own devices. Some babies have cronic ailments or are born prematurely and therefore need specialist treatment
Perhaps the Body of Christ might learn something from our maternity hospitals

 

[JAS4Yeshua]

No!!! Absolutely not!!! There is no excuse for offending people. It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. ~Jesus Christ.

~Jim

People with nothing to hide hide nothing.​

If that was all you saw, then you missed my point.

 

[JeCrois]

There is a better way. The NT way. And that does not include mass crusades.

Can you humor me and explain what you mean by the NT way? What did they do that was different back then?

Thanks

 

[millerrod]

Maybe God has set some to do it in a massive way and maybe some in a small way and maybe some indivually. and maybe some preach and maybe some teach and maybe some deliver pprophecy and maybe some feed the hungry and maybe some shelter the homeless , but maybe as long as we each are doing what God has called us to do as long as we are serving in the method of Gods Will for us then its all good and is of God. Does the electrician look at the plumber and say your not needed when building a house ??

 

[JAS4Yeshua]

Maybe God has set some to do it in a massive way and maybe some in a small way and maybe some indivually. and maybe some preach and maybe some teach and maybe some deliver pprophecy and maybe some feed the hungry and maybe some shelter the homeless , but maybe as long as we each are doing what God has called us to do as long as we are serving in the method of Gods Will for us then its all good and is of God. Does the electrician look at the plumber and say your not needed when building a house ??

 

[JimB]

Maybe God has set some to do it in a massive way and maybe some in a small way and maybe some indivually. and maybe some preach and maybe some teach and maybe some deliver pprophecy and maybe some feed the hungry and maybe some shelter the homeless , but maybe as long as we each are doing what God has called us to do as long as we are serving in the method of Gods Will for us then its all good and is of God. Does the electrician look at the plumber and say your not needed when building a house ??

But where is your Bible basis or precedent for mass crusade evangelism? There is a place for preaching, teaching, prophecy, feeding the hungry and caring for the homeless. Just none about crusade -style evangelism. Maybe that's why it doesn't work any better than it does.

~Jim

​

People with nothing to hide hide nothing.​

 

[geetrue]

Is it actually the event or more the fact alter calls are not the best method but look good with lots of people streaming to the front rather than just being quietly prayed for where they sit.

I don't know why God sits down front, but he does. I use to sit in the back of the church and still do if I'm not sure about the church or the speaker.

But Holy Spirit meeting, after Holy Spirit meeting I have found that the main portion of the Holy Spirit is in the front of the church or auditorium.

Kenenth Hagin was on TBN one time doing his thing. I never got to see him in person, but you could see the Holy Spirit sweeping over people in waves right in the front where Pastor Hagin was. That's the clip where people would get up and dance in the Spirit.

Same with Rodney Howard Browne too ... unless he comes to you down the aisle most of the heavy duty gifts of the Spirit are right down front.

Next time you get a chance to go to a Holy Spirit meeting (you know what I mean) get there early and sit right in front for an experience you will never forget.

I can get to laughing just listening to a Rodney Howard Browne meeting on the interent at revival.com ...

I have to stop doing whatever it is I am doing and raise my hands.

There is no time or distance in the spirit world ...

 

[millerrod]

Jim maybe its just a really big assembly the bible doesnt say how little or how big the assembly is just that we are to assemble. Big assembly little assembly big church little church two to twenty thousand who cares as long as we assemble worship God and edify one another and grow closer to God and serving God. i admit i am slooooow but i anit seeing the point here.

 

[JAS4Yeshua]

Jim maybe its just a really big assembly the bible doesnt say how little or how big the assembly is just that we are to assemble. Big assembly little assembly big church little church two to twenty thousand who cares as long as we assemble worship God and edify one another and grow closer to God and serving God. i admit i am slooooow but i anit seeing the point here.

Good point.

 

[geetrue]

I think Billy Sunday started these mass crusades at least he was one of the first to have big tent meetings.

God just could be into a numbers game with the days drawing closer to His return.

Only God knows why he attends these big eventsby sending His Holy Spirit, probably because of the prayer warriors that invite Him.

 

[millerrod]

For what its worth [dont beat me] one of the visions from God that was shown was of HUGE assemblies and each differen denomination wore a different colored flower and each representing pastor preached and at the end all the pastors placed the flowers they were wearing into one pile then ALL the assembly walked to the front and placed the flowers they were wearing into the same pile and many that were wearing no flower were saved and wecomed by all denominations. It still chokes me up with happiness to picture it again in my mind it was the most wonderful example of unity you could believe.

 

[millerrod]

Just think if we had that much confidence in the Holy Spirit that we could all denominations assemble as one and allow the Holy Spirit to guide the new deciple to the correct placement within the Body of Christ.
Thats what excited me about the changes in the forum it seemed like a step towards that vision if we could just be confident enough not to hang on to devision and be confident the Holy Spirit would lead.

 

[millerrod]

someday i would like to stand across from each of you and preach. But you know what we can do it right now and right here.

 

[JimB]

For what its worth [dont beat me] one of the visions from God that was shown was of HUGE assemblies and each differen denomination wore a different colored flower and each representing pastor preached and at the end all the pastors placed the flowers they were wearing into one pile then ALL the assembly walked to the front and placed the flowers they were wearing into the same pile and many that were wearing no flower were saved and wecomed by all denominations. It still chokes me up with happiness to picture it again in my mind it was the most wonderful example of unity you could believe.

Nice.

~Jim

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find​

that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived​

the width of it as well.​

 

[JimB]

Jim maybe its just a really big assembly the bible doesnt say how little or how big the assembly is just that we are to assemble. Big assembly little assembly big church little church two to twenty thousand who cares as long as we assemble worship God and edify one another and grow closer to God and serving God. i admit i am slooooow but i anit seeing the point here.

I am not talking about a church, a highly-effect, God-created ekklesia that nurtures and assimilates believers, I am talking about a mass evangelism crusade one-shot, high-dollar, largely-ineffective form of evangelism. If you can’t see the difference, I have a used car I would like to show you.

~Jim

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find

that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived
the width of it as well.​