Master Plan of Evangelism (Robert Coleman)

from an email April 17, 2006

What would exams be without procrastination right?! Over this past semester I've been reading through a book by Robert Coleman called "The Master Plan of Evangelism". I've got 2 of the books he's written, this one and the other is called "The Master Plan of Discipleship". Basically what he says in "The Master Plan of Evangelism" is that in order for the ends of the earth to hear the gospel we must disciple as Jesus did. Then in "The Master Plan of Discipleship" he says in order to effectively disciple someone we must take them out sharing their faith. So the evangelism one is about discipleship and the discipleship one is about evangelism :) Confused?

If you're looking for a book on "ministry philosophy" or "how to lead effective small groups" or something like that, this would be a good one.

Here's some quotes...

Words of Commendation by:

Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) ~ The Master Plan of Evangelism is already a classic and Robert Coleman is a legend in our time. This book is must reading for everyone who desires to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stephen Hayner (president of Inter Varisty Christian Fellowship) ~ I have used The Master Plan of Evangelism in training student leaders and student workers for 25 years, and it remains a ‘must read’ on my list of recommendations for everyone engaged in discipleship.

Jerry White (president of The Navigators) ~ The essence of the historic Navigator hallmark of multiplication is clearly taught in The Master Plan of Evangelism. It is a must reading for every serious believer.

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The scriptural accounts of Jesus constitute our best, and only inerrant, Textbook on Evangelism. (pg 22)

We must decide where we want our ministry to count – in the momentary applause of popular recognition or in the reproduction of our lives in a few chosen people who will carry on our work after we have gone (pg 39)

One living sermon is worth a hundred explanations. (pg 42)

No one can ever be a leader until first he has learned to follow a leader. (pg 58)

The superhuman work to which they were called demanded supernatural help. (pg 67)

It is not who we are, but who He is that makes the difference (pg 67)

Clearly Jesus did not leave the work of evangelism subject to human impression or convenience. (pg 87)

Similarly the criteria on which a church should measure its success is not how many new names are added to the roll nor how much the budget is increased, but rather how many Christians are actively winning souls and training them to win the multitudes. (pg 103)

Here's the best three I liked from this book:

Evangelism is not an optional accessory to our life. It is the heartbeat of all that we are called to be and do. (pg 88)

We have not been called to hold the fort, but to storm the heights. (pg 95)

Through the proclamation of the gospel, the church militant would someday be the church universal even as it would become the church triumphant. (pg 98)