Theology Thursday: The evangelistic strategy of a bishop

What marks a truly Reformed minister of the gospel? How do you become an impotent waste of a clergyman? Have you got a strategy for ministry or are you merely faffing in the shallow end?

This essay by Andrew Atherstone is simply wonderful and could not be more vital. It will stir the heart and get you really excited about ministry. Ryle’s strategy makes sense, is thoroughly biblical and rooted in Evangelical church history. Whilst we might be tempted to think that it is advice from yesteryear for yesteryear let me remind you of Ryle’s context as became Bishop of Liverpool.

The Diocese was varied: including areas that were variously urban, industrial, rural, working class and middle class. Like today the working classes were ‘conspicuously absent’ from church. 80% of the population were completely unchurched. ‘Seething masses’ were living in ignorance of the gospel and addicted to depraved lifestyles.

The parish system was fossilised and prevented people being reached. The Church had become an institution is spine-less yes men, devoid of sound theology. The numbers of evangelical clergy were far too few. The parishes were too large for their evangelical incumbents to reach. Many ministers wasted time and money addressing the wrong issues and focusing on the wrong things. Anglicans were being driven into the Free Church. Most sermons were dull and lifeless affairs, ‘as impotent to wound, as to heal.’ The attending laity were ignorant of the truth. Liberal and Anglo-Catholic theology had made huge inroads.

It is in that situation that Ryle speaks with a simple, pungent, powerful and effective strategy to win the lost and edify the saved:

1. Multiply the Workers
2. Deploy the Workers Aggressively
3. Remember, the Work is Evangelism!
4. Remember, Evangelism means Christ!

It was a tonic I needed and appreciated; I hope you will too.

Atherstone, Andrew. J.C. Ryle’s Evangelistic Strategy, Churchman 125/3 (2011): 215–28.