EVANGELISM: WHERE IS THE ZEAL TODAY?

There is a spirit of pessimism that is spreading its ugly tentacles into assemblies today that is both unhealthy and unscriptural. Questions and doubts are being raised about the future of assemblies. Comments such as, "They are past their peak"; "They are a spent force"; "They are dying" are heard with alarming frequency from men in positions of responsibility. Are these comments valid; are they justified? It is a fact that in many areas assembly growth is stunted. This is demonstrated by the lack of any evangelistic outreach and littlest no interest in missions. This should force us to our knees and be a cause for examination and action, not lamentations and resignation. “Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.” Psalm 42:11 One thing that marked the early days of the assembly movement was the burning zeal for evangelism. Where is that zeal today? Without an effective evangelistic outreach you cannot have a healthy, growing assembly. The fact is many assemblies have their priorities mixed up. CMML has recognized this in its most recent men's conference on Evangelistic Evangelism. If we want to see growth in our assemblies and an expanding missionary endeavor we must impress upon assembly elders the need for evangelism. One of the major objectives before us is to rekindle the flame of evangelism in our assemblies. Thank God in some assemblies the flame is still burning bright but in too many others there remains just glowing embers or dark ashes. “God be merciful to us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us, Selah, That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.” Psalm 67:1 & 2

S. E. Robinson, Missions Magazine, CMML, Inc.