Recently, Mary Hutchinson from Inspired Direct, a fundraising company for non-profits and ministries, sent a simple letter under an assumed name to a few dozen well-known TV ministries. She thanked the ministry for being there and asked how to accept Jesus into her heart. She enclosed a $20 bill and listed her address.
After 45 days, she had heard from more than 95% of them. Sadly though, less than 25% addressed her question about salvation in a direct, easy to understand manner. Think about that for a second. If we are really about evangelism, how could this be?
The most impressive of all responses was a simple letter from a smaller ministry that walked her down the road to salvation. A few others sent her short booklets explaining salvation. Another 20% sent her packages that contained a book or a handful of books and DVDs, but none of those gave a direct answer to the most important question of all. In fact, one up-and-coming TV preacher sent her such a large package of “stuff” that it cost him $8.10 to mail!
The rest (over 75%) did not respond at all to her question. She was thanked for her gift and put on a direct mail list. She received magazines, newsletters and lots of stuff.
But no answers.
What a great lesson about walking our talk.
Dead on, Ed. After everything is said and done, it comes down to the walk. Thanks for sharing, brother.
eeek…that’s a little troubling. Sounds like they need to be talking their walk too. =)
An
Scott,
Thanks for the encouragement. Its sobering huh?
Ed
An,
Its so easy for all of us to miss the obvious sometimes.
Ed
So, maybe Skye’s right, we need more ministers from small congregations on the speakers platforms? I think the list of responses, not so much as the disease, as they are rather stark symptoms of a much larger problem
Bob,
I agree its a much deeper problem.
I’m with you that this consumer mentality may be a part of that deeper issue.
We’ve work to do.
Ed