By Paul Hammons
December 9, 2018
Unlike the work and qualifications of an elder, the Bible doesn’t spend a lot of time talking about what it means to be an evangelist – at least not in specific lists or qualifications. And in the religious world, there are a wide range of ideas on this subject, and they reflect themselves in the titles that people and churches use: Preacher. Minister. Pastor. Do these accurately reflect the role we find in the Bible for a man who chooses to devote his time fully in teaching the Gospel?
When we read the books from Paul to Timothy and Titus, we start to see patterns emerge that tell us what the work of an evangelist is, what type of person should be engaged in the work, and maybe equally importantly: what should our expectations be of an evangelist?
We can see that the Bible does not describe the evangelist as:
- An employee of the local church
- A “minister” from the standpoint of one responsible for doing good works on behalf of the church
- An intermediary who we call to pray for us or visit us when we want to feel “more holy”
- A pastor who is responsible for leadership of “his parish,” and whom the members of the local church now follow
The Bible describes a role that complements each of the other roles in the local church (elder, deacon, teacher, for example). He devotes his time primarily to the study, understanding, and teaching of the word of God. He’s still a Christian, just like any of us, and has the same responsibilities that we all do of serving one another, praying for one another, and in some cases submitting. His leadership is focused entirely on the teaching of the word of God, whether he is reproving, rebuking, or exhorting.