Principles & Practice of Health Evangelism
Chapter 6
Motivation for Health Evangelism
Textbook pages 34-40
Motivation is the underlying drive that pushes an individual toward accomplishments. The motives of traditional evangelists are obvious. Their drive is to save souls for the kingdom of God. In the Seventh-day Adventist church they are usually on a salary with a conference.
They are dedicated to their craft. They may have expensive props and sophisticated multi-media equipment, but the primary purpose is the communication of God’s saving love to those who don’t know Him. Evangelists may be eloquent but are rarely egotistical. They are not driven by financial profit but are more satisfied to see acquisitions to the local church membership -- and then they move on.
Health professionals present a mixed bag of motivations. Some are truly dedicated to restoring the sick to good health regardless of how much money they make. Others, recognizing their ability to generate wealth, focus more on the business aspects of medical practice and put profits over healing.
Some health educators primarily seek fame and fortune. There are many who often unwittingly fit this category. They have a scientifically sound health program that correctly educates about some aspect of healthful living. They often travel from church to church carrying their unique piece of scientific truth and conducting programs for church members or the public. They never become widely known. Their program is rarely adopted or promoted through church channels. They join ASI or Outpost Ministries but represent many talented people who help represent what Mrs. White calls “a strange medley of disorganized atoms.” Counsels on Health 514
A few achieve a measure of recognition, but most don’t. Health evangelism creates opportunities for the salvation of souls, communication of life changing health principles from the field of science, and the opportunity to make money through the private ownership of health programs.
Some health evangelists felt that science alone should carry the day. To these people accurate knowledge educates and provides sufficient motivation for behavior change. Spiritual matters belong in some subsequent endeavor. These practitioners are still looking for an effective bridge between science and evangelism. To these health educators the science is the bait and evangelism is the hook.
Those who accept this concept of health evangelism feel that playing the evangelistic card too early reveals our bias toward the spiritual. The label they give to their initial exclusive focus on science without a spiritual component is “disinterested service” or “friendship evangelism,” the thought being that we are to provide health programs without regard to our interest in people joining the church. Why bother someone about spiritual matters when all they wanted to do is stop smoking? The following quotes from Spirit of Prophecy are used to support this position:
I recall one outstanding example of mistaken disinterested service. I met a Seventh-day Adventist doctor who enthusiastically conducted dozens of 5-Day Plans to Stop Smoking. He had more than 15,000 smokers attend his programs over the years, and he bragged to me, “Not one of them ever knew I was a Seventh-day Adventist.”
What was his problem? Was he embarrassed to be a Seventh-day Adventist? Did he feel that his spiritual identity would diminish his effectiveness? Did he feel he could do a better job at changing behavior than Jesus could?
Disinterested service doesn’t mean that we act without regard to the spiritual needs of people. Disinterested service means we do not perform acts of charity for selfish purposes, personal gain or recognition. Some would say that inserting an evangelistic component in a health education program represents a selfish purpose but this is not the case.
The passage above specifically mentions that disinterested service may result in a “converting influence;” we are to present the “grace of truth.” Presenting spiritual matters is not a selfish matter. It is a matter of eternal importance and should be free of any personal wishes for recognition and not mixed with desire for enrichment or personal gain.
In this quotation we see that even though we may be weak, as we dedicate our skills to His service, free from selfish purposes for things like personal gain or recognition, the Lord strengthens us to do His service.
In the following quotation, disinterested service is seen to include such things as praying with people, reading to them from the Bible, and speaking with them of the Saviour. This is specifically with regard to the control of appetite behavior. So, there is no place for excluding God as the agent of behavior change in the name of conducting health programs with “disinterested service.”
Next we see that disinterested service includes denying self to do good for others, devoting all we have to the service of Christ and not laying up treasures for ourselves on earth and by avoiding the love of money. Nothing is said about leaving a spiritual message out of our efforts.
A compelling example of disinterested service is recounted in the interaction of Elisha with Naaman the leper. The details of the story from 2 Kings 5 are familiar. The cure of Naaman’s leprosy after dipping seven times in the Jordan River immediately changed his feeling from rage and fury to thankfulness. And beyond that it resulted in a change of theological belief. His cure convinced him that the God of Elisha is the God of the whole earth. It turned him from a worshipper of Rimmon into a worshipper of Jehovah. He must proclaim this. He must let the prophet know what is in his heart.
Great wealth was offered to Elisha that could have been used to advance the work of God in Israel, but he refused to take any reward. Naaman was thus taught that Jehovah was his true Healer, the prophet the mere instrument, and that it was to Jehovah that his gratitude, his thanks, and his offerings were due.
Elisha had to show that “the gift of God could not be purchased with money;” (Acts 8:20) he had to impress it on Naaman, that Jehovah was a God not like other gods, and that His prophets were men not like other men. He had to teach the doctrine of free grace.
If we would benefit others, our own hearts must be right with God. There must be no doubt about our sincerity, no uncertainty about our motives. We see how little Elisha thought of self. He had a great opportunity, and he used it well. He had a strong temptation presented to him, and he resisted it. It is a splendid instance of disinterested service, a splendid illustration of the power of Divine grace.
To the extent that health evangelism promotes or enriches the individual or organization sponsoring the health evangelism activity, just to that extent it is robbing God of the thankfulness and recognition due Him.
It is often necessary to meet the temporal necessities of the individuals we help. We may need to provide clothing, food, or shelter. But in the process, we should look for the opportunity to speak of the virtue and love of Christ. Disinterested service will not purposely leave out opportunities to speak a word for God.
The church has been asked to provide services of a humanitarian nature in developing countries. At times, contracts with governments prohibit any active proselytizing. The name of Jesus cannot be named, prayers cannot be offered, and spiritual meetings cannot be held. It is my opinion that sinking resources into such operations doesn’t represent disinterested service.
In circumstances where proclaiming the gospel is specifically prohibited, when we agree to limit our efforts to secular activities, we are no better than any other worldly enterprise that provides physical services. If we feel constrained or are contractually constrained from speaking freely about God, we should let others carry on that work.
Evangelism is the work of the church in all of its institutional settings. The health work should never be an exception. Health ministry in all forms should be designed to be evangelistic. Evangelistic opportunities should be maximized. Questions need to be asked at every juncture. “Will this element increase or decrease the evangelistic potential of this enterprise?”
They are dedicated to their craft. They may have expensive props and sophisticated multi-media equipment, but the primary purpose is the communication of God’s saving love to those who don’t know Him. Evangelists may be eloquent but are rarely egotistical. They are not driven by financial profit but are more satisfied to see acquisitions to the local church membership -- and then they move on.
Health professionals present a mixed bag of motivations. Some are truly dedicated to restoring the sick to good health regardless of how much money they make. Others, recognizing their ability to generate wealth, focus more on the business aspects of medical practice and put profits over healing.
Some health educators primarily seek fame and fortune. There are many who often unwittingly fit this category. They have a scientifically sound health program that correctly educates about some aspect of healthful living. They often travel from church to church carrying their unique piece of scientific truth and conducting programs for church members or the public. They never become widely known. Their program is rarely adopted or promoted through church channels. They join ASI or Outpost Ministries but represent many talented people who help represent what Mrs. White calls “a strange medley of disorganized atoms.” Counsels on Health 514
A few achieve a measure of recognition, but most don’t. Health evangelism creates opportunities for the salvation of souls, communication of life changing health principles from the field of science, and the opportunity to make money through the private ownership of health programs.
Some health evangelists felt that science alone should carry the day. To these people accurate knowledge educates and provides sufficient motivation for behavior change. Spiritual matters belong in some subsequent endeavor. These practitioners are still looking for an effective bridge between science and evangelism. To these health educators the science is the bait and evangelism is the hook.
Those who accept this concept of health evangelism feel that playing the evangelistic card too early reveals our bias toward the spiritual. The label they give to their initial exclusive focus on science without a spiritual component is “disinterested service” or “friendship evangelism,” the thought being that we are to provide health programs without regard to our interest in people joining the church. Why bother someone about spiritual matters when all they wanted to do is stop smoking? The following quotes from Spirit of Prophecy are used to support this position:
- “In your care of the sick, act tenderly, kindly, faithfully, that you may have a converting influence upon them. You have need of the grace of Christ in order to properly represent the service of Christ. And as you present the grace of truth in true disinterested service, angels will be present to sustain you. The Comforter will be with you to fulfill the promise of the Saviour, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Medical Ministry, p. 196
I recall one outstanding example of mistaken disinterested service. I met a Seventh-day Adventist doctor who enthusiastically conducted dozens of 5-Day Plans to Stop Smoking. He had more than 15,000 smokers attend his programs over the years, and he bragged to me, “Not one of them ever knew I was a Seventh-day Adventist.”
What was his problem? Was he embarrassed to be a Seventh-day Adventist? Did he feel that his spiritual identity would diminish his effectiveness? Did he feel he could do a better job at changing behavior than Jesus could?
Disinterested service doesn’t mean that we act without regard to the spiritual needs of people. Disinterested service means we do not perform acts of charity for selfish purposes, personal gain or recognition. Some would say that inserting an evangelistic component in a health education program represents a selfish purpose but this is not the case.
The passage above specifically mentions that disinterested service may result in a “converting influence;” we are to present the “grace of truth.” Presenting spiritual matters is not a selfish matter. It is a matter of eternal importance and should be free of any personal wishes for recognition and not mixed with desire for enrichment or personal gain.
- “The Lord sees and understands, and He will use you, despite your weakness, if you offer your talent as a consecrated gift to His service; for in active, disinterested service the weak become strong and enjoy His precious commendation. The joy of the Lord is an element of strength. If you are faithful, the peace that passeth all understanding will be your reward in this life, and in the future life you will enter into the joy of your Lord. Christian Service, p. 101.
In this quotation we see that even though we may be weak, as we dedicate our skills to His service, free from selfish purposes for things like personal gain or recognition, the Lord strengthens us to do His service.
In the following quotation, disinterested service is seen to include such things as praying with people, reading to them from the Bible, and speaking with them of the Saviour. This is specifically with regard to the control of appetite behavior. So, there is no place for excluding God as the agent of behavior change in the name of conducting health programs with “disinterested service.”
- “In almost every community there are large numbers who do not listen to the preaching of God's word or attend any religious service. If they are reached by the gospel, it must be carried to their homes. Often the relief of their physical needs is the only avenue by which they can be approached. Missionary nurses who care for the sick and relieve the distress of the poor will find many opportunities to pray with them, to read to them from God's word, and to speak of the Saviour. They can pray with and for the helpless ones who have not strength of will to control the appetites that passion has degraded. They can bring a ray of hope into the lives of the defeated and disheartened. Their unselfish love, manifested in acts of disinterested kindness, will make it easier for the suffering ones to believe in the love of Christ.” Messages to Young People, p. 223
Next we see that disinterested service includes denying self to do good for others, devoting all we have to the service of Christ and not laying up treasures for ourselves on earth and by avoiding the love of money. Nothing is said about leaving a spiritual message out of our efforts.
- “Those who deny self to do others good, and who devote themselves and all they have to Christ's service, will realize the happiness which the selfish man seeks for in vain. Said our Saviour: "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple." Charity "seeketh not her own." This is the fruit of that disinterested love and benevolence which characterized the life of Christ. The law of God in our hearts will bring our own interests in subordination to high and eternal considerations. We are enjoined by Christ to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is our first and highest duty. Our Master expressly warned His servants not to lay up treasures upon the earth; for in so doing their hearts would be upon earthly rather than heavenly things. Here is where many poor souls have made shipwreck of faith. They have gone directly contrary to the express injunction of our Lord, and have allowed the love of money to become the ruling passion of their lives. They are intemperate in their efforts to acquire means. They are as much intoxicated with their insane desire for riches as is the inebriate with his liquor.” Vol. 3 Testimonies for the Church, 397-398.
A compelling example of disinterested service is recounted in the interaction of Elisha with Naaman the leper. The details of the story from 2 Kings 5 are familiar. The cure of Naaman’s leprosy after dipping seven times in the Jordan River immediately changed his feeling from rage and fury to thankfulness. And beyond that it resulted in a change of theological belief. His cure convinced him that the God of Elisha is the God of the whole earth. It turned him from a worshipper of Rimmon into a worshipper of Jehovah. He must proclaim this. He must let the prophet know what is in his heart.
Great wealth was offered to Elisha that could have been used to advance the work of God in Israel, but he refused to take any reward. Naaman was thus taught that Jehovah was his true Healer, the prophet the mere instrument, and that it was to Jehovah that his gratitude, his thanks, and his offerings were due.
Elisha had to show that “the gift of God could not be purchased with money;” (Acts 8:20) he had to impress it on Naaman, that Jehovah was a God not like other gods, and that His prophets were men not like other men. He had to teach the doctrine of free grace.
If we would benefit others, our own hearts must be right with God. There must be no doubt about our sincerity, no uncertainty about our motives. We see how little Elisha thought of self. He had a great opportunity, and he used it well. He had a strong temptation presented to him, and he resisted it. It is a splendid instance of disinterested service, a splendid illustration of the power of Divine grace.
To the extent that health evangelism promotes or enriches the individual or organization sponsoring the health evangelism activity, just to that extent it is robbing God of the thankfulness and recognition due Him.
It is often necessary to meet the temporal necessities of the individuals we help. We may need to provide clothing, food, or shelter. But in the process, we should look for the opportunity to speak of the virtue and love of Christ. Disinterested service will not purposely leave out opportunities to speak a word for God.
- "[Love] thy neighbor as thyself," -- the question arises, "Who is my neighbor?" The Saviour's reply is found in the parable of the good Samaritan, which teaches us that any human being who needs our sympathy and our kind offices, is our neighbor. The suffering and destitute of all classes are our neighbors; and when their wants are brought to our knowledge it is our duty to relieve them as far as possible. A principle is brought out in this parable that it would be well for the followers of Christ to adopt. First meet the temporal necessities of the needy, and relieve their physical wants and sufferings, and you will then find an open avenue to the heart, where you may plant the good seeds of virtue and religion.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 01-18-1887.
The church has been asked to provide services of a humanitarian nature in developing countries. At times, contracts with governments prohibit any active proselytizing. The name of Jesus cannot be named, prayers cannot be offered, and spiritual meetings cannot be held. It is my opinion that sinking resources into such operations doesn’t represent disinterested service.
In circumstances where proclaiming the gospel is specifically prohibited, when we agree to limit our efforts to secular activities, we are no better than any other worldly enterprise that provides physical services. If we feel constrained or are contractually constrained from speaking freely about God, we should let others carry on that work.
Evangelism is the work of the church in all of its institutional settings. The health work should never be an exception. Health ministry in all forms should be designed to be evangelistic. Evangelistic opportunities should be maximized. Questions need to be asked at every juncture. “Will this element increase or decrease the evangelistic potential of this enterprise?”