By my count, “Evangelism in the Established Church: The Calling of Committees and Individuals concerning the Work of Evangelism” by Rev. Kortering is one of only three pamphlets in the inventory of the Reformed Witness Committee addressing the subject of evangelism. Originally written as a series of articles in the Standard Bearer from 2004 to 2006, the publication and reprinting of this work as a neat booklet by the Evangelism Committee of First Protestant Reformed Church (PRC) in 2023 therefore comes as a breath of fresh air. Its age makes it no less relevant today; indeed, its urgency makes it more so.
Kortering passionately asks us as members of the PRCA to support the work of our “local church extension committee.” With his insight into our history and our heritage, he believes it is necessary for us to grow in our understanding and application of evangelism. The burden of the first chapter is to lay the foundation: witnessing has a supportive role to the preaching (17), and “every member of the church has the calling and qualification to share his faith with others” (47).
Some may take issue with the author’s use of the word “evangelism” to describe this activity performed by the believer of the pew, not the pulpit. Others may find an obstacle in his contention that it is the duty of every believer to carry out this activity. These “hindrances” and more (nine total!) Kortering acknowledges and sensitively answers in the second chapter, always fair and nearly always to the point.
The strength of the booklet is that in his treatment the author neglects neither doctrine nor practice. He does not urge all to take up the call of personal witnessing and then demand that the reader take his word for it. Rather, he asks that we take heed to God’s Word, specifically in 1 Peter 2:4-10; Acts 1:8; John 4:14; John 7:37-40; Philippians 2:15, 16; 1 John 4:14; and a number of other places (38-40). Though his use of Matthew 28:18-20 (27) and, later, 1 Timothy 3/Titus 1 (76-77) may be questioned in this connection, Kortering does solid biblical and theological groundwork. He does not then leave the reader wondering about the next step. Rather, he offers helpful ideas throughout for both committees (Chapter 7) and individuals (44-45).
His practical treatment extends over the last half of the book, which I summarize in the form of a Q&A:
Q1. What do we witness?
A1. See Chapter 3. Simply, the Bible; the conversion of the unbeliever does not depend on the strength of your argument, but on the Spirit’s use of the Word you bring to work faith. Follow a template, such as guilt-grace-gratitude, the book of Romans, or the six loci of Reformed theology.
Q2. To what end, or, why do we witness?
A2. See Chapter 4. To bring the lost sinner under the official preaching of the gospel for his or her salvation and the glory of God.
Q3. To whom do we witness?
A3. See Chapter 4 again. Especially to the unconverted, but also to those whose faith and life is not consistent with the truth of the Bible.
Q4. How do we witness?
A4. See Chapter 5. Slowly sowing seeds through contact and friendship. Be humble, patient, and prayerful (16).
Q5. Are you sure I’m to witness?
A5. See Chapter 6. Yes. Take heart! Believers are equipped both to raise children in the covenant and to bring those “afar off” into the covenant.
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ…. Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:5, 9).