I have been an evangelist for as long as I can remember. I am however sometimes a reluctant one. I love speaking about Jesus. It is a long time since I did any street preaching, but I enjoyed that, whether that be outside the Tower of London or near the Big Market in Newcastle or indeed outside of Rotherham Minster. I have never understood why people think evangelistic activity is offensive; after all people try to persuade us to do things that we do not necessarily want to do whether that is to buy something we do not really need or vote for a particular party. all sorts of opinions are – and should be – welcome in the public square. I suppose there are questions about this when public proclamation turns up uninvited on your doorstep. Yet, I spent over two and a half years as a shy and hesitant teenager doing just that in London and was rarely rebuffed aggressively for doing so. Cold calling might have decreased significantly, but I have lost count of the number of times callers have tried to remind me of accidents that I have not had. Indeed, as a priest whether in Birmingham or Amlwch, I have never not been given a warm welcome when I have just turned up to offer to pray for people or share a little of the story of Jesus with them.

Given that it is something that I enjoy why would it be something that I am reluctant about? Maybe I am naturally hesitant about telling people what they should do. Yet, the point of evangelism is to get to a decision isn’t it? I recall being on a mission weekend with the then Archbishops’ Missioner, Michael Green. I was asked to share my Christian story at a particular event. I did so. Afterwards, Michael simply asked why I had not asked those listening to become Christians. Similarly, when I was a curate in Gloucester, I was part of the suffragen bishop’s faith sharing team. With a couple of others, we developed some Murder Mystery events that were focused on proclaiming the faith. The Bishop asked me why I had not been more specific about those present becoming Christians. I began hesitantly to explain that my goal was to introduce people to a story, and the story would attract people. I think I still believe that to be true.

I remember talking to Ann Morrisy, urban practitioner, and community engagement specialist, about evangelism many years ago. She loves football, as do I. I remember her comparing the evangelist to the centre forward whose job is simple: to score goals. I have never seen it as clear cut as that. I create space and opportunities for the stories of God to blossom and grow. Maybe evangelism is a bit like the kingdom, it is grows initially hidden like the mustard seed, hidden like the yeast or haphazard as the seed that has been thrown by the sower.