A Paradigm Shift
Why do most pastors overlook Jewish people in their evangelism strategy?
I know I did – for most of my 50 years of pastoral ministry.
For too long, Jewish outreach was not part of our congregation’s local outreach budget, nor was it part of our world outreach focus.
Many believers assume Jewish people are “good with God already” because they are His chosen.
Others view Jewish people as unreachable because God has partially blinded them to Jesus. If evangelism is hard, reaching Jewish people with the gospel is harder still.
Maybe for some it’s just plain apathy. Or perhaps the worst form of anti-Semitism?
Romans 1:16 is brutal on any congregation that overlooks Jewish people in their evangelism strategy. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
The word “first” is not a sequential word, but a word that means “priority.” It’s the same word Jesus used when He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God….”
For that compelling reason, I have adjusted the order of my priority for reaching those who don’t yet know our Messiah to include, and even particularize, Jewish people.
I’m so glad our church is engaged in sharing God’s heart for the Jewish people. How about yours?
Written by Joe Boerman, Chicagoland Pastor and Partner of LIFE
We’d love to continue the conversation!
Pastor Joe says, “Just wondering, what does Romans 1:16 mean to you, and how does it show up in your personal (and your church’s) evangelism strategy?”
For more on this topic, we highly recommend Avi Snyder’s excellent book, Jews Don’t Need Jesus . . .and other Misconceptions: Reflections of a Jewish Believer.