270. Evangelism as Consolation, with Andrew Root, author of Evangelim in an Age of Despair

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For a lot of us, evangelism has become kind of utilitarian—just another tool to stop our church’s decline and hopefully secure a future for our congregation. But what if, instead of simply trying to grow our numbers or help people go to heaven when they die, we reframed evangelism as an act of journeying alongside people in their deepest pain, bringing truly good news to those who are struggling to find hope?

In this episode, Andrew Root, the author of Evangelism in an Age of Despair, challenges us to rethink evangelism as a ministry of consolation—a ministry that meets people where they are, in moments of suffering and loneliness.

THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Andrew Root defines what he means by "the age of despair" and whose despair he references.
• Andrew Root explains that despair is a widespread cultural malaise, marked by sadness, unhappiness, and a rise in loneliness and rage.
• Despair in the world is not just circumstantial, but is rooted in the cultural emphasis on pursuing happiness, which ironically increases unhappiness.
• Andrew Root describes two forms of despair in the church: one shared with the wider culture, and the other, a fear of decline and extinction unique to congregations.
• Churches are tempted to view evangelism mainly as a way to increase attendance and avoid closing, rather than as sharing good news.
• Markus Watson reflects that treating evangelism as a utilitarian tool for survival creates questions about the real motivation for sharing the gospel.
• Evangelism should be understood as contextual and as a way of consoling neighbors in moments of loss, rather than following a fixed formula.
• Andrew Root states that the central work of evangelism involves the theology of consolation—being present with others in their brokenness and grief.
• Evangelism is about responding to Jesus’s call and helping people encounter Him, especially within their contexts of sorrow and loneliness.
• Andrew Root discusses the failure of social media and modern culture to offer true consolation or presence to people in grief.
• Consolation involves walking with people through suffering, which is an important aspect of Christian tradition and a necessity in these lonely times.
• Markus Watson observes that the traditional “four spiritual laws” approach doesn’t address the needs of people experiencing profound sorrow.
• Andrew Root argues that faithfulness in the church is not simply measured by numerical growth, and that addressing people’s suffering is not a distraction from its mission.
• Evangelism should invite people to join a pilgrimage, walking together through sorrow and loss toward a deeper encounter with God.
• The church’s calling is to create communities that walk with others in their pain, offering hope and the presence of Christ, instead of merely aiming for church growth.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Andrew Root:
  • Website
• Books mentioned:
  • Evangelism in an Age of Despair, by Andrew Root 
  • The Church After Innovation, by Andrew Root 
  • The Promise of Despair, by Andrew Root

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