Redefining Evangelism in an Age of Sadness
With Andrew Root.
There is a word that tends to strike fear in the heart of Christians, even though the word translates to good news. I’m talking about evangelism. When I was in college, I remember having to learn how to evangelize to someone. In more Mainline Protestant churches, people don’t want to talk about their faith at all.
But what if we’re thinking about evangelism the wrong way?
Today on Church and Main, I talked with Andrew Root about evangelism as entering into sadness and consolation. Root has just written a new book, Evangelism in an Age of Despair, reimagining outreach in our modern world. Root sees evangelism as a ministry of consolation, when people can care for others in their sadness. If we can find ministers of consolation and lean into sadness, we will find Jesus.
For those who don’t know, Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of over 25 books and co-host of the When Church Stops Working Podcast. I’m glad to have him back on the podcast. You can listen to this episode at the Church and Main website or wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember to rate and/or review the podcast!