Would It Not Make Things Easier for Evangelism to Be a Bit Arminian Instead of Strictly Adhering to the Canons of Dort?

Why bother with mission and evangelism if God is sovereign and will thus fulfill his purpose anyway? Isn't evangelism made much more attraction in the Arminian framework, where Christ is said to have died for all mankind? This article shows this to be erroneous thinking, for the doctrine of election is not a hindrance in evangelism when properly understood.

"What Is the Reason for Our Being Afraid to 'Get Out!'? A Lack of Bible Knowledge like Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses Have, or Are There Other Reasons?"

This article addresses the title's question by first examining its presuppositions, and indicating that being afraid is not an inherent trait of being Reformed, and that the Reformed are not second to sectarians in Bible knowledge, as the latter do not have real Bible knowledge. Yet the author does identify that often, we as Reformed churches lack an integrated system of training in the truth, which manifests itself in the level of knowledge among professing members, impacting evangelism.

Do New Members Have to Adjust Themselves to Our Reformed Ways, or Do We Have to Adjust Our Church Life to Them?

When new members join a Reformed church, who needs to adjust, they or the church? This article discusses the question, looking at the matter of tradition, and from there demonstrating that it is not always wrong to go against a respectable tradition.

Should We in Evangelism Approach Only Unbelievers or Also Members of Other Churches?

Does the church have a duty toward members of other churches where the full truth is not proclaimed, but rather where there exist errors? This article explains that we do have an obligation in this regard, in order to honour the prayer of the Lord Jesus for full unity here on earth.

Do We Have to Preach the Gospel or Instruct in the Scriptures?

This article explains that the extent to which instructing newcomers in the faith depends on their prior exposure to Christianity. In general, the message in evangelism done by the established church is going to assume more than the message on the mission field. Yet discipleship and training in the faith is still called for, and at much depth.

All We Have to Do Is "Sow the Seed"; It Is None of Our Business Whether It Bears Fruit; Harvest Time Comes Later

Is evangelism "sowing" or "harvesting"? This article explains that this can be a false dilemma, that the two ought not to be separated. The Bible gives both tasks to the church, as illustrated from John 4, which shows how the sower and reaper are joined together and rejoice together. And so we are urged to fulfill our evangelistic task well.

Should Not, in This Time of Apostasy, the True Church Rather "Repel" Others Instead of "Attracting" Them?

This article looks to cut through the dilemma in the title, showing that a faithful church should do both at the same time. It lays a stress on church discipline, by which it will "repel" some of its own members. And it urges the church never to be "repulsive" to outsiders.

Should Evangelism Be "Intentional" or "Unintentional"?

This article considers the question of whether or not evangelism ought to be organized, and shows this to be a false dilemma. There are forms of evangelism that do call for some amount of organization. Yet the author is careful to point out certain dangers, including that these forms can lead to the general membership delegating the personal calling of witnessing to Christ.

Is Home Mission the Task, Either of the Special Offices or the General Membership?

This article considers whose responsibility within a congregation is the work of home mission. It shows from Ephesians 4:11-16 that the leadership is to equip the saints to fulfill the task of home mission or evangelism. It does consider the degree to which consistories, and possibly major assemblies, might be involved in the work of evangelism.

How to Overcome "Our Guilty Silence"

Why are Reformed Christians often silent before others about our faith? This article considers some data from John Stott's Our Guilty Silence. Stott suggests that the causes of our guilty silence when it comes to evangelism are: a lack of incentive and motive, a struggle to know the message that must be proclaimed, an uncertainty as to whose task it is to evangelize, and an inadequate view of the sovereignty of God.

How the Church Becomes Visible

How is the church made known beyond its four walls? This article addresses this question, discussing personal evangelism and then the possibility of neighbourhood Bible groups. It clarifies that such groups would consist primarily of members of the same congregation before including others from the neighbourhood. The author outlines some dangers with such groups, but also the biblical foundation for them. It offers some suggestions on how to organize such groups.

Liturgy – A Matter of the Churches in Common

Does the order of the liturgy lie with the local body of elders, or is it a matter that belongs to the churches in common? This article discusses this question, looking at church history, and advocates for some uniformity in our liturgies. It argues that being bound to a specific order does not mean losing your freedom as a local church, and explains how this is so.