Train
them!
Preparation
for the Lord's work can mean education and training to grasp the lessons that
others have rendered. Churches can see that gifted evangelists are able to get
their education. Additionally, churches offer open doors for trial efforts of
the evangelist who is establishing themselves in winning others to Christ. Opportunities
to grow in service with the evangelist's giftedness will seal the calling of
the evangelist, and aid in sharpening the skills, tools and capacities for further
service.
Ordain
them!
It
was to the church that the Spirit said, "separate unto me Paul and Barnabas"
as the early missionary journeys began. The church should guide the God-called
and God-gifted person with encouragement and training to the consecration to
this special work. Laying on of hands means ordination and validation of their
calling. It is the seal of allowance (or release of "loosing" them)
as heaven has already done.
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Church
congregational credentialing may be formalized or practical and serves as a
fellowship tie (or "binding" affiliation) that strengthens both the
evangelist and the congregation.
Support
them!
Financial
support of the evangelist is a strong statement and follows naturally when the
identification and validation steps have encouraged them. Some receive financial
gifts of support from individuals in the congregation, occasional offerings,
or some are included, like other missionaries, in the annual support budgets
of the church. Some are placed on church staff salaries, though serving outside,
to represent the church's world-wide witness.
Hold
them Accountable!
Regular
meetings within the organized church structures to fellowship, to support, to
assist and to challenge the evangelist will build understanding and lead to
natural accountability. Evangelist and church ought agree on goals of ministry
and then, follow up carefully. The church is able to ask the hard questions
of purity of life and doctrine, honesty and disclosures, reality and pride — —
examine the results in the prayerful, sympathetic spirit of being fellow soldiers
of the cross as an extension of His Body.
Comfort
and Correct them!
Evangelists
need the caring community when they struggle and when loss occurs. They also
need correction from a loving community covenanting together to walk worthy
of the high calling of His service. The church can urge repentance, support
change and offer counsel in a fellowship that maintains expectations and standards
with grace and dignity for stedfastness through the ups and downs of ministry
experience.
Love
them and Honor them!