Who gets involved with evangelism?

‘There is one thing that Christians and non-Christians have in common. They both hate evangelism.’ When I first heard these words during a Saline Solution conference some time ago, I noticed that many around the room were nodding their heads and smiling as they recognised their own discomfort in trying to implement aggressive mechanical models of evangelism.

It’s sobering to acknowledge that only about 4% of people attend church in UK and yet surveys show that about 75% of British people are interested in spiritual things. Church-based activities in Britain do not reach many, but in our professional lives we doctors are privileged to have access to this 75%. We can get involved right here without moving. The UK is possibly one of the biggest challenges within the world mission scene and many overseas countries where missionaries have traditionally worked may be a soft option by comparison!

Recently I was at a follow up meeting for doctors and other healthcare professionals who had attended a Saline Solution course and it was wonderful to see how many had discovered that they could make a difference in the lives of their patients and colleagues, and be a witness for Christ without being pushy and without feeling uncomfortable themselves.

Ten Saline Solution day conferences are planned for the first half of 2005 and more are expected in the autumn. Details and application forms are available on the CMF website. Over five hundred doctors have now attended a Saline Solution day conference in this country and in addition many small groups are doing the Saline course on video in their homes. How about starting one where you are?

Kevin Vaughan
Associate General Secretary