Are "Gospel Meetings" Still Effective?

Articles From Our Bulletins

Philip C. Strong
09/26/17 - Bulletin Articles

Many of today’s denominations have abandoned as “old-fashioned” and “ineffective” what they used to call “Revivals.” Using the logic that you “revive” something “dead” or “near-dead,” many churches of Christ have long used the term “Gospel Meeting” instead. Without debating the merits of either term, or the logic behind them, the basic question of whether or not they are “effective” is legitimate. The answer, I suppose, depends on how you define “effective.” Thus, whether or not gospel meetings are “effective” has a lot to do with two important considerations: 1) Purpose; and, 2) Standard of Measurement. Let’s take these one at a time.

Purpose. If a congregation has a gospel meeting twice a year because “That’s what we’ve always done” without any real focus or intent, then that effort probably won’t be very effective regardless of the knowledge and ability of the speaker engaged. However, if it is realized that such occasions possess unique opportunities to fulfill specific purposes, there is hope for a much better outcome. For instance, gospel meetings can (if viewed and used purposefully):

Provide focused attention on evangelism. Of course we can and should invite our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and acquaintances to our “regular” services where they can hear the gospel’s truth proclaimed, and be exposed to true New Testament worship. But do we? Surely not nearly as often as we should. There are probably many reasons for this failure. And just as surely, most of them are poor reasons at best, and actually excuses at worst. However, gospel meetings help us to be reminded of the importance of evangelism. Most of the people with whom we come in contact on a day-to-day basis are in need, dire need in fact, of the soul-saving truth of the gospel message. Rather than reflecting this light of truth into the dark world, we “put it under a basket” when we fail to share it with others, cf. Matthew 5:15. It is so very easy to become focused on own needs and desires for health and happiness that we forget the greatest need that anyone and everyone has: eternal salvation. “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26. To our point here, what will you give in exchange for someone else’s soul? An invitation to hear saving truth? Philip replied to Nathanael’s skepticism about Jesus simply, “Come and see,” John 1:46. Gospel meetings remind us of the importance of evangelism, and our own efforts to lead a lost and otherwise perishing soul to salvation in Christ Jesus.

Provide a recharging of our spiritual batteries. Some ridicule gospel meetings, calling them nothing more than mere “flashlight parties.” The notion behind the criticism seems to be that they are merely opportunities for Christians to come together, exchange warm greetings, and all “shine their lights” by praying piously, singing loudly, offer resounding “Amens!” to primed points of sermons, and then go away feeling “uplifted” as they turn off their lights until next time. Hence, “flash” light parties. Of course, there are particles of truth and realism to such criticisms. But there is another facet of light on this prism of truth. Flashlights (especially now) have rechargeable batteries. “Routine” usage and recharging causes these batteries develop a “memory” that prevents them from reaching their full capacity. While the metaphor may not fit exactly in all aspects, the point is that gospel meetings provide a legitimate and needed “recharge” than can help to overcome the “routine” and enable us to reach greater potentials and capacities. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Christians coming together “extra times” to blend their hearts together in prayer, their voices together in praise, and their minds together in contemplation of divine truth. Furthermore, gospel meetings provide the opportunity for Christians from different congregations to get to know one another, and be encouraged by one another. Even when gospel meetings are not for the express purpose of “evangelizing the lost,” they can provide a “recharging” of our spiritual batteries that enable our lights to shine even brighter and longer to the mutual benefit of those “inside” and “outside” the house, cf. Matthew 5:15-16.

Standard of Measure. Given the above, purpose is, therefore, obviously an important consideration to determining the “effectiveness” of gospel meetings. As many have said, “If you aim at nothing, you can hit it every time.” But, having the right standard of measure is also vital in determining efficacy. At least two considerations of “standard of measure” come to mind:

Baptisms derived from gospel meetings. Some dismiss the effectiveness of gospel meetings by saying, “No one is ever baptized at gospel meetings any more.” Even if such were true, realize that the vast majority of our “regular” worship services could be at least evangelically dismissed as “ineffective” on the same basis. We must constantly remind ourselves that the goal for gospel meetings (or even personal bible studies for that matter) is not “baptisms,” but providing opportunities for souls in need of the gospel to hear it. “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” 1Corinthians 1:17. Gospel meetings provide additional opportunities for the preaching of the gospel- and do so for those who many be “regular church-goers” but have never really heard the truth of it.

Attendance numbers. One of the “standards of measure” usually employed to determine the effectiveness of a gospel meeting is the number of people that attend. This “numbering” would include local church members, visitors from other area churches, and non-church members from the community. Of course, this information can be helpful. If the purpose of the effort was to expose local non-church members to the gospel, knowing how many actually attended can help to better advertise or target such efforts in the future. Likewise, if the event was designed to edify and encourage church members, then again, knowing how many took advantage of the opportunity can be beneficial. But, we must never forget or minimize a couple of things in these regards: 1) gospel meetings are about providing opportunities- results such as numbers of those taking advantage of these opportunities are not always within our purview; and, 2) the value of one- whether one or a thousand lost souls hear the gospel, or whether one or a thousand are encouraged to greater faithfulness, each one is still important. Jesus spoke to one woman at a well, and a good portion of a whole race of people in that region subsequently came to believe on Him, cf. John 4:7,39-42. But that one woman’s soul was important to Him, whether the rest of the Samaritans came or not.

Are gospel meetings still effective? The answer depends on why we have them- and thus, how we conduct them, and how we seek to measure them. Since Fall is typically “Gospel Meeting Season” for many churches, I hope these considerations help yours to be “effective”!