New Evangelisation

We hear a great deal about the new evangelisation and there are various exciting initiatives going on. I thought I'd share a few of my own thoughts on it. I've actually been changed quite considerably in the last couple of years as I've come to realise two things. The first was that although in theory I accepted that it was primarily the work of the Spirit rather than my own, I hadn't really fully taken this in. I wanted to see results and was disappointed with the lack of them. This was when I came to my second realisation: that Jesus is actually very inefficient in his means of evangelisation. The risen Jesus is present everywhere, but only reveals Himself to a chosen few. He doesn't go to the Temple and say "look, you crucified me and here I am, risen from the dead".

In his humility Jesus only shows himself to a few friends. Jesus spreads His message only through testimony. He has changed my heart and now I must spread that message to others. Evangelisation obviously also entails deepening the faith of those who already believe, but I'm thinking here of primary evangelisation of those who have no faith. This is an ever-expanding group in England. Last year I ran days for primary schools to come to our Church to learn a bit about Christianity. For many it was the first time they'd ever been to a Church.

I'm increasingly convinced that forming relationships is the key. Once I have formed a relationship of trust with someone, and they know that I am genuine in my faith, they can perhaps start to be drawn to it. There are fruits - a friend who will be baptised at easter, an email from someone I met saying that her "understanding of Christianity feels a little deeper and more rewarding". Often, though there's no sign at all, but this no longer discourages me. I've learnt to trust that God will do the evangelising and that the fruits come from Him working through me, not from anything that I do or say of myself. My joy is complete.