The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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have any one gift. The spiritual organism is much more complex than that. But I
find that the general tendency of Christians enthusiastic about getting certain
tasks done in the Body is to carelessly overestimate how many of the members
should have one gift or another. If I want my particular job to get done well I might
tend to presume that an unrealistic number of people have the gift it takes. This
happens frequently with the gift of an evangelist . . .
“Over a period of years it [the gift of evangelist] has been tested in case after case and
found to stand up. The average church can realistically expect approximately that
10 percent, or even a few percentage points less than 10 percent, of its active members
mobilized for evangelism, a growth patter of 200 percent per decade is a realistic
expectation. If God blesses a church by giving the gift of evangelism to more than
10 percent of its members, it is in wonderful shape for growth.” 33
Wagner estimates that where churches have plateaued or are declining, only about 0.5 percent
of the people are using the gift, if that many. He therefore urges those with the gift of exhortation
that they seek out the 9.5 percent of the people with the gift and help them discover, develop and
use their gift. The result is that they themselves will be happier and more fulfilled as Christians and
the church will grow. 34
How To Discover: One of today’s evangelists, Leighton Ford, shares how he found his gift:
“As a boy of sixteen, I first met Billy Graham and other gifted evangelists through
the Youth for Christ movement. Observing these men and women in action, both
personally and publicly, I felt something stirring within me. A longing to express
my faith grew. Opportunities came to speak at youth groups and then at small
evangelistic occasions. People were moved to accept Christ through what I said.
While I believe God has given me certain other spiritual gifts, the gift of evangelism
is primary.” 35
EVANGELIST
Great need and desire to witness to nonbelievers.
Deep burden for the lost.
Sharing the faith comes relatively easy.
Attracted to unbelievers because of a desire to win them to Christ.
Tends to focus on the ABC’s of Christianity--the gospel.
Ability to give a simple explanation of the Christian message.