Statement and Purpose of the Evangelism Committee of Bethel Free Reformed Church, Mitchell, ON

This committee exists to seek and present opportunities for the congregation to spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20) in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and confessional statements of the Free Reformed Churches of North America. This is to be achieved through Christlike example and the sharing of the written and spoken Word with those in need of it (Matt. 9:37-38). The committee functions under the oversight of the consistory and is made up of members of this church. The preceeding statement of purpose was agreed upon and adopted in the meeting of the Evangelism Committee held on Aug 20, 1997, and the Consistory meeting held on Aug 26, 1997.

Clarification of Purpose Statement:

In protestant Christian circles today, the term "evangelism" is often misunderstood. To be more precise, the term is used in a reductionistic sense to mean the act of persuading people to receive Christ for the first time, usually, but not always, coupled with the idea of receiving baptism and church membership. However, we are convinced that the Scriptures speak of the terms "gospel" and "evangelism" in a much fuller sense. Precisely, we believe that true evangelism is disciple-making. It is teaching people to observe all things that Christ has commanded us (Matt. 28:20). It is leading them to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5b). It is leading them to fulfill the Dominion Mandate to bring every aspect of life into subjection to the Triune God (Genesis 1:28). This means learning to use art, music, the print media, politics, education, economics to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). This is much more comprehensive than the mainline-evangelical view which often couples the reductionistic view mentioned above with cultural retreat and surrender.