Code of Practice for Evangelism for CMJ Workers
Biblical Christianity commits its adherents to evangelism. As men and women called by God to make known, by word and deed, the Good News of Messiah, we wish to act in accordance with biblical ethical principles to promote responsible evangelism and give no grounds for offence to any, except that of the offence of Messiah Himself (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).
CMJ affirms our commitment to the following evangelism principles:
- To have respect for all, regardless of their views. While respecting those with contrary beliefs, we affirm that meaningful dialogue can only be based on the honest expression of real differences of faith and practice.
- To act with honesty and integrity.
- To communicate faithfully the truth of God’s saving love to sinners through the sending of his Son, the Messiah Yeshua, to be our only means of atonement and righteousness. To allow for differences of opinion to be fully expressed, and to make known alternative views.
- To be motivated by love.
- To admit our own unworthiness for the task.
- To be thoroughly acquainted with Jewish belief and custom, and be able to relate sensitively and sympathetically with Jewish people.
- To understand and respond to objections to the Gospel, accepting that these must be dealt with to the satisfaction of all.
- To show clearly that the Jewish people who believe in Jesus remain Jews, and are in fact fulfilled in their Jewishness, so that familial, social and political responsibilities, where they do not militate against the Messiahship of Jesus, are still to be recognised. Jewish identity still counts.
- To be responsible and accountable in our use of finances, resources and staff.
- To respond to hostility, whether physical, verbal or attitudinal, in love.
- To correct misinformation, misrepresentation or wrong accusation whenever possible.
CMJ wishes to emphasise that the following practices are contrary to such principles:
- Inviting people to events and activities under false pretences.
- Posing as something we are not in order to hide our true identities, employers or functions.
- Using illegitimate or unfair means of persuasion, such as manipulation, ‘love-bombing’, sleep deprivation, thought control, subliminal suggestion, high-pressure techniques, denying freedom of thought or of action, or any form of psychological or spiritual blackmail.
- Failing to make known the full implications and consequences of becoming a disciple of Yeshua, in the light of potential family and social response to a declaration of faith, and the possible misunderstanding to be encountered in the Church.
- Continuing discussion with minors without the knowledge of their parents or guardians.
- Offering any form of financial or material gain as an inducement to becoming a believer in Messiah.
- Prejudicing or vitiating the attempts of other Christians who are less outwardly evangelistic to build links of friendship in the attempt to establish genuine dialogue and mutual understanding between Christians and Jews.