John S. Shaw (coordinator of OPC church planting) writes:
Orthodox Presbyterian congregations, presbyteries, and assemblies regularly sing a hymn that closes with these words:
. We long to see your churches full,
. that all the chosen race
. may, with one voice and heart and soul,
. sing your redeeming grace.We love to sing this hymn because the desire reflects the stated plan of God. The Lord seeks true worshippers who “will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). The Lord pursues true worshippers through the ministry of his Word and Spirit. And the Lord sends the church to gather true worshippers by the means of evangelism.
God gives the ministry of evangelism to the church as a primary responsibility. This article considers that responsibility, especially as it applies to local congregations. We will consider evangelism through the local congregation in three parts: first, the agent of evangelism; second, the theology of evangelism; and third, the practice of evangelism.