In Evangelism: For the Care of Souls, Sean McGever reminds ministers that announcing—and reannouncing—the good news of Jesus is central to pastoral care. The crucified Jesus has been raised from the dead and is Lord of all. The gospel rightly belongs at the start of a Christian’s life, but its role does not end there. It is the balm and cure of our hearts for all of life. And evangelists must not confuse the messenger with the message. We must all be evangelized and re-evangelized.
Avoiding a simplistic, manipulative, or guilt-inducing message, Evangelism: For the Care of Souls presents a vision and strategy for ministers to evangelize in a way that is refreshing, biblical, and sustainable.
The role and function of the pastorate involves multiple dimensions of soul-care. One of these facets includes pastors caring for souls through the practice and discipline of evangelism. Sean McGever's Evangelism: For the Care of Souls offers pastors a philosophical framework that is both biblical and practical. I found it helpful and you will, too!
—Matt Queen, professor and L. R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism (“Chair of Fire”) Associate Dean, Roy Fish School of Evangelism and Missions Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Fort Worth, Texas
Through careful exegesis, insightful reflection, winsome personal stories, and inspiring historical accounts, Sean helps us all to better understand the importance and practice of evangelism for the care of souls. A must-read for anyone involved in ministry.
—Marty Gray, pastor, Ravenhill Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland
In a sea of step-by-step, programmatic, ‘how-to’ literature on evangelism, Sean McGever instead offers an incredibly vulnerable look into the ongoing work of God to care for his people through his people. With a shepherd’s heart and an impressive knack for storytelling, McGever summons scores of names, places, and anecdotes that are sure to convict—and encourage—even the most inexperienced Christian. The power of this book is the author’s ability to identify with the common failings and misconceptions of evangelism in a way that points readers to the Triune God and his word, and not to themselves.
—Obbie Tyler Todd, pastor, Third Baptist Church, Marion, Illinois
The Lexham Ministry Guides, edited by Harold L. Senkbeil, offer practical, proven wisdom for the church. But wisdom takes time. The authors in this series developed their wisdom through years of ministry experience and conversations with colleagues. These books invite you to enter into these conversations to better serve the Savior’s sheep and lambs with confidence. You will find hands-on tools, lessons from years of ministry experience, and an array of resources to apply to your own ministry context.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
Sean McGever is area director for Young Life in Phoenix, Arizona, and an adjunct faculty at Grand Canyon University. He is the author of The Good News of Our Limits and Born Again: The Evangelical Theology of Conversion in John Wesley and George Whitefield. He speaks, teaches, and ministers across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Harold L. Senkbeil is executive director emeritus of DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care. His pastoral experience of nearly five decades includes parish ministry, the seminary classroom, and parachurch leadership. He is author of numerous books, including award-winning The Care of Souls, Christ and Calamity, and Dying to Live.