Be all weather evangelists who loiter with intent, Archbishop tells new Church Army evangelists
12 July 2007
On 12th July a packed Sheffield Cathedral saw seven women and three men admitted to the Office of Evangelist by the Most Rev Rt Hon John Sentamu the Archbishop of York.
Presiding at the event in Church Army's 125 anniversary year, the Archbishop told the evangelists and a 400-strong congregation that they have been commissioned as evangelists because they have a passion for sharing the gospel and should loiter with intent to help people experience, explain and demonstrate what new life in Christ is all about.
In a thoughtful and wide ranging sermon given in a city that had been devastated by floods only a couple of weeks earlier, the Archbishop called upon the newly commissioned evangelists to be all weather evangelists not waiting for the sun to come out and shine as it very rarely does, but getting out there in all weathers to share the gospel through words and actions. He said the Christ Jesus they serve is alive and working in the world and cannot be constrained or trapped within the covers of any book.
God in Christ must be accessible to all - tell others what you know and your experience will bring joy and new beginnings for those you encounter, he added. The Archbishop also called on the church to renew its focus on mission and evangelism and share with confidence an authentic and incarnational gospel to our communities.
In blessing each one of the evangelists he admitted to the office of evangelist within the Anglican church, the Archbishop told the new recruits to bring, joy, passion and commitment to their ministry as they had the best news in the world to share. The name and story of Jesus should be constantly on their lips he said
At the commissioning service that was held the day before, Church Army's Executive Mark Russell had urged the new evangelists to show compassion and love in their ministry so that people can have hope in the Christian gospel.
Follow this link to download Mark Russell's sermon from the commissioning service.
