Evangelism

Definition and Meaning

The Korean term jeondo (傳道) means "to transmit the Way." It refers to making the gospel of Jesus Christ known to those who do not yet believe and inviting them to faith. It is sometimes distinguished from mission, which involves going to another culture to proclaim the gospel and plant churches, though the two terms are also used broadly and with overlapping meanings.

Evangelism is commonly classified by method as follows:

• Street evangelism (nobang jeondo, 路傍傳道): sharing the gospel with strangers on the street or in public places.
• Relational evangelism: sharing the gospel through existing relationships with people one already knows, such as family members, neighbors, and coworkers.
• Door-to-door evangelism (chukho jeondo, 逐戶傳道): visiting homes one by one to share the gospel.

Biblical and Historical Background

Protestants commonly cite as the basis for evangelism the command in Matthew 28:19–20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (the so-called Great Commission), together with Acts 1:8.

From its earliest days, Korean Protestantism had a strong tradition of evangelism carried out directly by laypeople. This is regarded as reflecting the influence of the "self-propagation" principle of the Nevius Mission Plan, under which the church itself spreads the gospel. During the Million Souls Movement, which began around 1909, believers are said to have practiced nal yeonbo ("day offerings"), pledging a number of days to be devoted to evangelism and offering them much as they would a monetary gift.

Practice in Korean Churches

Many churches maintain evangelism teams or evangelism committees. Some designate special days, such as a "Total Mobilization Evangelism Sunday," on which members invite neighbors to worship. Churches combine street evangelism, in which tracts or household items are distributed; gospel presentation tools such as the "Four Spiritual Laws" of Korea Campus Crusade for Christ; and relational evangelism centered on small groups. Helping first-time visitors, or new believers, settle into the church is sometimes also considered part of evangelism.

The theological emphases used to explain evangelism vary by denomination:

• Presbyterian: Presbyterians explain that although salvation depends on God's sovereign election (predestination), evangelism is a means God has ordained and must therefore be diligently pursued.
• Methodist: Following Wesleyan theology, Methodists emphasize that the way of salvation is open to all people.
• Full Gospel and other Pentecostal denominations: These hold that the power of the Holy Spirit and healing accompany evangelism.
• Holiness (Sungkyul) Church: The Holiness Church presents the Fourfold Gospel—regeneration (new birth), sanctification, divine healing, and the Second Coming—as the central content of evangelism.

The ecumenical movement has tended to understand mission broadly, including the practice of social justice. Evangelicals, by contrast, have prioritized evangelism aimed at individual conversion. The evangelical Lausanne Movement addressed evangelism and social responsibility together in the 1974 Lausanne Covenant.

Some observers note that in recent years relational evangelism and online approaches have drawn greater attention, owing to public aversion to aggressive street evangelism and wariness toward proselytizing by certain groups that conceal their identity.