Community outreach activities are not evangelism and missions is not a synonym for ministry.

Those were thoughts that raced across my mind when I read the research done for this issue of Facts & Trends (see Sellers article). It appears, however, that we as evangelicals-and specifically we as Southern Baptists-are using those words interchangeably. It should not be so. Some may say, "Well, it is just a matter of semantics." Wrong answer! It is unfortunately a common error that absolutely undermines the Great Commission.

Here's how. Evangelism can be a part of a community outreach activity, but too often churches host community outreach activities and never get around to presenting the Gospel. It may sound elementary, but evangelism is a verbal presentation that communicates what it means for Christ to have died on the cross as atonement for our sin. It is a call for sinners to confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and to believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead, both for the purpose of their salvation.

Churches can do dozens of block parties and never get around to challenging people with the reality of the Gospel, i.e. evangelizing them. (And by the way, this is why "lifestyle evangelism" is not as effective as reasoning with people as the Apostle Paul did.)

I noticed in the study that the top five methods of evangelism are: Vacation Bible School, literature, events, musical events/concerts and mailings or fliers. VBS is a great outreach opportunity, but even so, if there is no presentation of the Gospel then kids have simply spent a fun week of learning some neat things about the Bible.

Another area where we have gotten sloppy with our language is in equating missions with ministry. They are not the same thing. Although this was not part of the survey, I'm well aware that when churches offer a soup kitchen, job training, after-school programs or host a "downtown mission," that this is often called "mission work." Not so. It is ministry. Missions is evangelism that leads to churches. That is what missionaries do.

Christ calls every believer to make disciples of all nations, commanding us to baptize new converts and teaching them to obey our Lord (Matthew 28:19-20). Missions should result in new churches because all Christians need a body of believers to help them grow spiritually. It is where they learn that the church is Jesus' bride! The New Testament teaches the importance of the church through the stories of Paul's missionary journeys. On each of those journeys, Paul left behind new believers, new churches and developing leaders.

Churches should engage in activities and ministries that effectively give them the best opportunity to evangelize. However, if a choice has to be made between activities and evangelization, I echo Paul: "Proclaim the message!" (2 Timothy 4:2).

Thom S. Rainer is president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.