Life on Mission
The Master Plan of Evangelism
Here is a list of timeless values that were modeled by Jesus and highlighted by Robert Coleman decades ago. Anyone who wants to lead a ministry that remains will see these timeless values as essential for ministry in any setting.
By Robert E. Coleman Condensed & Edited
Selection: People were His method.
He selected those willing to learn. He concentrated on a few. But He did not neglect the multitudes.
Association: He remained with them.
This was the essence of his training program - just letting his disciples follow him. Knowledge was gained by association before it was understood by explanation.
Consecration: He required obedience.
They were not required to be smart, but they had to be loyal. Obedience to Christ was the very means by which they learned more truth. In following the way of the cross, the cost would be high. “Take my yoke upon you.”
Impartation: He gave himself.
Love is like that. It is always giving itself away. His life was mediated only through the Holy Spirit. The fact that these men were of the common lot of mankind was no hindrance at all. After all, the power is in the Spirit of Christ.
Demonstration: He showed them how to live.
He modeled prayer, using Scripture, winning souls, teaching naturally. He did not ask anyone to do or be anything which first he had not demonstrated in his own life, thereby not only proving its workability, but also its relevance to his mission in life.
Delegation: He assigned them work.
Tasks such as manual burdens of getting food and arranging accommodations, as well as being sent on a preaching mission. He kept the vision before them. He taught them to expect hardship. He gave them His authority and power for the work.
Supervision: He kept check on them.
Jesus made it a point to hear their reports. He continuously reviewed and explained.
Reproduction: He expected them to reproduce.
Through them and others like them, his ministry in the Spirit would continue to expand in an ever-enlarging circumference. The test of his ministry was: would the disciples carry on? The test of any work of evangelism thus is not what is seen at the moment, but in the effectiveness with which the work continues in the next generation.
