Answers for Pastors

How important is it for pastors to follow the latest bands and movies in order keep up with culture?

9Marks

Not very.

Is it always better to build a relationship before sharing the gospel?

9Marks

What does 9Marks think about “contact evangelism”?

9Marks

Contact evangelism is often dismissed as pushy and ineffective, particularly in our postmodern era. It’s said that evangelism should always occur in the context of a relationship. What do we say?

Must you call for a decision in evangelism?

9Marks

The Bible tells us that God the Father, Jesus and Paul call for decisions. So should we. 

What is the relationship between apologetics and evangelism?

9Marks
Difference 1: Evangelism is telling others the gospel. Apologetics is defending the truth of the Christian faith. Difference 2: Apologetics addresses everything from the existence of God to the reliability of the Old and New Testaments. In contrast, evangelism is telling one specific message: the good news about what Jesus Christ has done in order to save sinners.

What is the danger of altar calls?

9Marks
The altar call confuses “coming forward” with coming to Christ. In order to be saved, people must repent of their sins and believe in Christ, which has nothing to do with walking down an aisle.

How hard should we push the gospel message in our evangelism?

9Marks

The gospel is not an easy message. It confronts people as sinners facing the judgment of God. It calls them to repent of their sins and submit to Christ as Lord. It’s understandable that our hearers will put up some resistance. So how hard should we push?

Who should evangelize?

9Marks

While some might want to leave evangelism to the preachers, apologetic experts, or maybe just to the extroverts generally, the New Testament asserts that all Christians should evangelize:  

What are several practices Christians commonly mistake for evangelism?

9Marks
Personal testimony. Talking about what God has done in your life may encourage Christians and intrigue non-Christians, but it isn’t necessarily evangelism. Evangelism is telling what Jesus Christ has done to save every sinner who will ever turn from his sin and trust in Jesus.

What is evangelism?

9Marks

Evangelism is telling others the good news about what Jesus Christ has done to save sinners. In order to do this you must tell others that:

Does being a member of a church mean I’m a Christian?

9Marks

No. Turning from your sin and trusting in Christ makes you a Christian, not being a member of a church.

However, church membership is meant to be a church’s corporate affirmation of your profession of faith in Christ. Membership is supposed to be the church saying, “We’ve looked at your life. We’ve heard your testimony and your explanation of the gospel. You look like a Christian to us, so we’re happy to affirm you as a Christian, welcome you as a brother in Christ, and care for you and watch over you.”

Is a Christian obligated to treat members of his church any differently than he treats other Christians?

9Marks

The apostle Paul urges Christians to do good to all men, especially those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). But the Bible also seems to indicate that Christians have a special responsibility to love, admonish, and care for those who are members of their local church.

What activities in the church should be reserved for members?

9Marks
The Lord’s Supper. If someone has not visibly, publicly identified with the body of Christ they should not be admitted to the family meal. Visiting Christians who are members of other faithful evangelical churches would be an exception to this, for the sake of charitably recognizing the body of Christ at large.

Must someone be a church member before being allowed to serve?

9Marks

Many churches attempt to adopt an inviting and warm posture by allowing both non-Christians and prospective Christian members to serve publicly in the church. Certainly outreach is a good motive. But is this the whole picture? We believe that public acts of service—like serving in the nursery, teaching children, leading music, teaching adult Sunday school, and leading a small group—should be reserved for members of the church. Why?

Is church membership wrongly exclusive?

9Marks

Tolerance and inclusivity are the quintessential postmodern virtues. It seems that the only way to be genuinely wrong in contemporary western society is to ever exclude anyone. Contemporary westerners are born cherishing particular conceptions of diversity, inclusion, and tolerance.