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Ichabod Spencer served as the pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, New York from 1832-54. During his ministry there, he made more than 20,000 pastoral visits, most of which he summarized in the form of brief sketches. Seventy-seven of these sketches were made available in the book, A PASTOR’S SKETCHES: Conversations with Anxious Souls Concerning the Way of Salvation, which ran through several editions and is now in print again today (Solid Ground Christian Books, 2002).

Spencer’s initial influence was widespread, but his work has been largely forgotten today. Today, I would like to outline the approach to evangelism evidenced in Spencer’s sketches. Tomorrow, I will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Spencer’s evangelism, and then on Thursday, I will offer a strategy of evangelism based upon the insights learned from Spencer’s faithful work as pastor and evangelist.

Spencer’s Approach to Evangelism

It is difficult to summarize Spencer’s approach to evangelism because he did not impose one single method upon every evangelistic encounter. In his Sketches, Spencer uses a variety of arguments in order to present the gospel in a compelling manner. Even though one specific methodology might not be easily observable in his work, there are a few themes that are common to his approach.

Timely Truth

If one had to point out the common thread that runs through each of Spencer’s evangelistic appeals, it would be “timely truth.” Spencer’s approach to evangelism centers on the “truth” of biblical revelation at the heart of the Christian worldview.

Yet this truth is “timely” in the way that he presses the claims of Christianity upon his listeners in a variety of ways. In reading his Sketches, it quickly becomes clear that Spencer starts off each evangelistic encounter by discerning the spiritual state of the person to whom he is witnessing. He decides on the best course of action only after making some initial observations.

For example, in the first of his sketches, he speaks with a young man. Early on in the conversation, Spencer realizes that he must provide a defense for the existence of God. He does not use this approach with people who are already convinced of God’s existence. But in the case of a skeptical seeker, Spencer realizes that he must provide space for the claims of Christ to be pressed upon his listener. He cannot begin his approach by saying “Turn to God” if the listener does not yet believe in the God to whom he must turn.

The Element of Surprise

Another theme that runs through Spencer’s evangelistic efforts is his utilization of “surprise.” Spencer does not bore his listeners (or readers either!). He constantly uses the arguments of people against themselves. One man says,

“You seem to be fond of turning the tables on me” (24).

It is clear that Spencer does not fear a strong debate. Though many evangelists today avoid direct confrontation at all costs, Spencer engages people winsomely, a tactic which holds the listener’s interest.

The Urgency of Repentance

Spencer also stresses the urgent nature of repentance. One sketch centers on a well-intentioned man’s advice to a lost person to continue taking time to consider Jesus. Spencer dismisses such thinking:

“He ought to have told you to turn from sin to God instantly, embracing Christ in faith, not to keep on in your wicked rebellion,” he says forcefully (85).

This sense of urgency comes from a strong passion for the lost, not the desire to manipulate people into making quick decisions.

An Empathetic Spirit

Spencer’s empathetic spirit comes out in a number of sketches. In telling the story of a woman with an abusive husband, Spencer admits that at times he had to turn away and weep (148).

Reference of the Scriptures

Another part of Spencer’s strategy is his reference of the Scriptures. Spencer is a biblical evangelist. He does not push his own opinions onto people. Neither does he focus attention on his own personal testimony of conversion. When speaking with people about the gospel, he constantly goes back to the Scriptures. In fact, he believes that the Word is essential in piercing the heart of a lost person:

“There are some Scripture arrows which we should always have in our quiver, because they are sure to hit” (88).

Discernment of Genuiune Conviction

One other theme in Spencer’s approach to evangelism deserves mention: the ability to discern religious enthusiasm from genuine conviction of the Holy Spirit. While he is not against all revival services or evangelistic preachers, Spencer remains skeptical of the “fruit” that comes from such events.

“Mere excitements of mind on the subject of religion, however powerful, unless they arise from the known truth of God, are never safe,” he writes (130).

Spencer rejects any evangelistic methodology directed by what lost people think would be best for them. He states:

“Convicted sinners are very poor judges of what ‘will do them good.’ The very things which they think they need, are often the very things which are snares to their souls” (124).

While Spencer remains utterly committed to personal evangelism, he sees weaknesses in the revivalist methods of his day, and he chooses instead to focus upon the evidence of genuine conversion brought about by the Holy Spirit.

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