What is Evangelism?

As a young man just out of college and dreaming of going into full-time ministry, I did what I thought I was supposed to – go to seminary (graduate school for future pastors). The theological training I received, the practical application to ministry, the solid, Godly professors, and the friendships I developed with other students were all amazing and prepared me for a life of serving as a youth pastor in a church and, now, as a missionary with Reign Ministries for many years. 

As I started seminary, I was nervous and excited. It was also a bit overwhelming, as I anticipated courses and professors that would lead me into the deep, intricate knowledge that could be gained from studying the Bible at a graduate school level. You can imagine my surprise when, during one of my early classes, the professor asked us what he defined as one of the most important questions for any follower of Jesus to grapple with … Is your life a “TV Dinner” or a “Chicken Pot Pie”?

My mind was immediately flooded with questions. What? Did I hear him correctly? This can’t be right. Is that the deep understanding of theology that I am paying for and that will alter my life for the next few years? In the years since then, I have heard that same illustration a few more times and even seen it in print once or twice – so it probably was not even original to my professor. But as he explained it in class that day, I quickly learned that it is truly one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves.

The “TV Dinner” life is compartmentalized. Where our job or life at school is separate from church, which is separate from our social life, which might be set apart from our interaction with our neighbors or the community we are part of. That is one way to live our lives – faith in Christ may be important to us, but it is seen as separate and/or equal (maybe even unequal) to all the other parts. It doesn’t get mixed in and stirred around.

Contrast that with the idea of life being a “Chicken Pot Pie.” Where each aspect of our lives gets thrown into the same pot, where faith is the most important ingredient, and it gets integrated (mixed) into everything we do. Even if you don’t care to eat Chicken Pot Pie, you have to appreciate the illustration!

What does all of that have to do with the question… What is Evangelism? When we are living the “Chicken Pot Pie” life, Evangelism becomes natural, just another thing that happens because our faith is integrated into our lives. Talking about Jesus becomes more real and more applicable to what we do every day. Jesus also becomes more exciting, and we want to talk about Him with people… because the message of salvation is “Good News.” Jesus has made a difference, not just for our future but also in the way we live!

Evangelism is simply sharing that Good News with others about how much Jesus loves me and did for me. It can’t be Good News for someone else until it is Good News for me. When my relationship with Jesus is “mixed in” with everything else in my life, it will naturally spill over into my interactions with others. 

In this “Chicken Pot Pie” approach to our faith, it is also important to remember who is responsible for what. Our job is to let Jesus spill out naturally, because He is woven into all aspects of our lives. God’s job is to save people. Anyone who has been on Royal Servants will recognize this definition of successful witnessing: “Taking the initiative to share Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results up to God.” (Bill Bright, Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ.)  When we can focus on our job and let God do His, it will free us from the expectations we place on ourselves regarding evangelism.

The next time you sit down to enjoy a well-made, home-cooked, old-fashioned Chicken Pot Pie, may it not only be tasty but also encourage and strengthen your resolve to mix Jesus into every aspect of your life.

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