Answers for Pastors
How important is it for pastors to follow the latest bands and movies in order keep up with culture?
9MarksNot very.
What does 9Marks think about “contact evangelism”?
9MarksContact 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?
9MarksThe Bible tells us that God the Father, Jesus and Paul call for decisions. So should we.
What is the relationship between apologetics and evangelism?
9MarksWhat is the danger of altar calls?
9MarksHow hard should we push the gospel message in our evangelism?
9MarksThe 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?
9MarksWhile 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?
9MarksWhat is evangelism?
9MarksEvangelism 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?
9MarksNo. 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?
9MarksThe 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?
9MarksMust someone be a church member before being allowed to serve?
9MarksMany 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?
9MarksTolerance 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.
