Robert E. Coleman

The best book outside of the Bible I have read about evangelism, and one that truly needs to be studied by more pastors and anyone who wants to be used by the Lord in this manner. Coleman's vision is one that we are probably not used to. In fact, it can make us a little uncomfortable. Basically, what he advocates above almost anything else in evangelism is time. Cold evangelism in a mall may cause many to profess a belief, but it is usually either a stunted belief that will never grow or a show more false convert. Christ did it differently. He dedicated the time it took to raise up leaders rather than simply settling for a conversion. Those leaders then raised up their own students, and the world was changed. show less

A follow up to The Mater Plan of Evangelism, Coleman traces the growth of the church in the book of Acts. He speaks mainly—and rightly so—of principles derived from a careful reading of Acts. Principles, however, don't lessen the importance of believers following them to be effective, especially when it comes to submitting to the Spirit in our lives and living lives of holiness and discipline.

Coleman's classic book on discipleship (yes, that's right) is titled The Master Plan of Evangelism. The thesis is that Jesus' plan for evangelism was the making of mature disciples. Little more than an examination of the gospels to study Jesus' example of discipleship, this little book provides needed insight into what discipleship is and isn't in a day when the church has largely forgotten it's call to make disciples rather than converts.

Coleman lays out 8 basic principles gleaned from show more study of the gospels: Selection, Association, Consecration, Impartation, Demonstration, Delegation, Supervision, and Reproduction.

While not spell-binding, a very worthwhile read! show less

Concise, clear and compelling. Coleman lays out the meaning and method of raising up men to transform the world. Looking at the life of Jesus, Coleman relates Jesus' method of training men to carry on the task of evangelizing the world, and this method, Coleman says, should be adopted by Jesus' followers if they want to make an impact on the world. With all the latest methods and programs, this 1963 book is as good as they get.