Global Evangelism — Strategy and Methodology

Biblical accounts provide examples of carefully developed, Spirit-led plans for accomplishing God's mission.
Strategy needs to be developed for specific settings. What works in one place may not work elsewhere. We need adaptable, context-sensitive approaches.
It is important to think in terms of "harvest fields" -- communities where we seek to share the gospel -- while giving particular attention to people who have little access to its message.
Paul's ministry shows how contextualized strategy was crucial to his effectiveness. His approach varied from city to city.
Strategy is not unspiritual. Strategic thinking can be empowered by the Holy Spirit and rooted in prayerful obedience.

What does "strategy" mean in a missions context?

The Greek roots of the word strategy refer to the planning and directing of a campaign. While some may worry that talking about "missionary strategy" sounds too military or too businesslike, strategy in a spiritual context simply means seeking to be intentional and Spirit-led in how we approach the global task of sharing the Good News.

Jesus' ministry showed intentional priorities. He focused His earthly ministry primarily on Israel and gave His disciples specific instructions about where to go, what to proclaim, and how to respond when people rejected their message (Matthew 10:5-14).

Contextualization: Adapting to the harvest field

The apostle Paul modeled adaptable strategy. In Thessalonica, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures in the synagogue. In Athens, he spoke in both the synagogue and the marketplace, then addressed the Areopagus using language and examples familiar to his audience (Acts 17:1-3, 16-34). Paul did not use the same method everywhere. He adapted to the local context while never compromising the message.

In today's world, effective evangelism requires us to adapt our approaches to local cultures and worldviews. A strategy that works in rural Africa may be ineffective in urban Tokyo. Strategic thinking allows us to ask, "What are the barriers to understanding the gospel and opportunities for communicating it in this specific context?"

Thinking strategically about global evangelism

The 10/40 Window is a region spanning North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, approximately between 10 and 40 degrees north latitude. It contains many of the world's unreached people groups. Thinking strategically means prioritizing efforts where the needs are greatest.

Some churches and mission agencies prayerfully target unreached people groups and adopt long-term strategies to reach them. This may include Bible translation, leadership development, and approaches that make ministry possible where conventional missionary work is restricted.

The role of the Holy Spirit in strategy

Being strategic doesn't mean relying solely on human wisdom. Acts 16:6-10 describes how Paul and his team were kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching in certain places and were redirected to Macedonia. This was strategy guided by the Spirit.

Prayerfully developed, Spirit-guided strategies can contribute to movements in which many people within a community or people group turn to Christ.

Conclusion

Strategic thinking in global evangelism means being intentional, adaptable, and obedient. The task is too great and too urgent to do otherwise.

-- Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu