The Master Plan of Evangelism Book

Robert Coleman writes with great passion about the importance of Evangelism in his very helpful book, The Master Plan of Evangelism.  This book is considered by many to be a twentieth century classic of Christian literature.  Among its admirers is Billy Graham himself who said, "Few books have had as great an impact on the cause of world evangelization in our generation as The Master Plan of Evangelism."  He is the Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  He also served as dean of the Billy Graham International Schools of Evangelism as well as director of the Billy Graham Center Institute of Evangelism at Wheaton College.  In this paper we will give a short summary of this book, evaluate the main thesis and concepts of the book, and critique its overall value to the topic of Evangelism.  We will conclude this paper with a brief summary of the issues discussed as well as word on personal application.
Summary
The Master Plan of Evangelism holds up.  It does so because its author consciously makes the effort to avoid the pitfall of trendy techniques and popular methods.  Instead he simply looks to the Gospels and asks the question, "How did Jesus evangelize?"  From here we see the unpretentious simplicity of Christ-like evangelism, a virtual step-by-step process taken from the pages of Scripture.  Coleman's entire thesis can be wrapped up in this thought: any Christian can be successful in spreading the gospel message if they simply follow the plan exemplified in the life of the Master.  This book "does not seek to interpret specific methods of Jesus in personal or mass evangelism.  Rather this is a study in principles underlining his ministry - principles that determined his methods."
Though in no way does the author diminish the wonderful mass evangelism efforts of men like Moody, Sunday, or Graham; he does amplify the importance of individual disciple building, small groups, and local congregational evangelistic fervor.  Coleman deftly attributes the success of Jesus' world domination to a strategy that focused on the twelve disciples rather than the vast multitudes.  Though the Lord clearly loved the great multitudes He did not give himself utterly over to their whims and desires.  Instead He focused His limited time on those who we call disciples.  He often departed from the crowd in order to spend more time with the twelve.  He focused on men who were willing to learn and concentrated his efforts there.  Without neglecting the masses he poured most of His energy into the very few He personally selected.  
After selecting these men he associated with them continually.  They walked with Jesus, lived with Jesus, watched Jesus, and heard Jesus.  No official curriculum to study; just a character to follow.  As His ministry continued Jesus gave more time to his few disciples, not less.  When He would interact with the multitudes the twelve were always on hand, watching and learning.  Coleman accurately describes the problem when he states, "most churches insist on brining new members through some kind of confirmation class that usually meets an hour a week for a month or so.  But the rest of the time the young convert has no contact with a definite Christian training program."
The Lord's requirements were high but simple.  He required consecration.  He would not allow his followers to disobey Him.  This was not an easy assignment for Jesus increasingly spoke of the cost of discipleship and the requirements of being a true follower.  This is why many walked away unwilling to obey and therefore, unwilling to learn.  He did not only demand obedience; He demonstrated it.  As He was willing to follow the Father, they should be willing to follow the Son.  Likewise, we who desire to lead others to Christ ought be willing to obey our master in all things.  If they obeyed Him, Jesus was willing to impart Himself unto them.  This impartation would be the key to the successful disciple!
From here the disciple simply needed to watch Jesus demonstrate the Christian life.  In this way he would learn everything he needed to be a true follower.  Once he learned, the disciple would be given responsibility.  Jesus was a master of delegation.  He assigned real responsibility with genuine accountability.  He did not simply let go without proper supervision.  So ought we do with our converts today.  Lastly, Jesus expected his followers to reproduce themselves.  Their training was not to end with them but was to go forward into the world and reach all people.  Coleman ends his book with a call to personal application that is truly inspiring.
Evaluation

I cannot believe that it has taken me so many years to finally read this book!  I've been a Christian now for nearly thirty years.  I was raised in a pastor's home around hundreds of Christian resources.  I attended a wonderful Bible college and received my Bachelor's degree in Pastoral Ministries.  I went on to earn my Master's in Bible Exposition.  I have pastored for over eleven years and now, finally, I have stumbled across this book.  I'm thankful!  The Master Plan of Evangelism is a truly remarkable book that has impacted me greatly.
Critique of the Author's Thesis
Without question, the author was able to prove his thesis.  It is amazing to see him avoid the mistakes of so many who use Jesus as an example of evangelism.  Some look at His method with the woman at the well in John 4 and see a method that will work in every situation.  Others look at Jesus' interaction with Nicodemus in John 3 and see an entirely different evangelistic method of Jesus.  Again, others look to Jesus' words to the thief on the cross and want to follow that particular method.  Coleman downplays these specific snapshots of the Messiah's life and instead focuses his attention on the principles underlining his ministry - principles that determined his methods.  This is where the book shines.  Yes, the reader is convinced, if I follow the Master's plan for evangelism, I will see many saved.
Not only was the author able to prove his thesis he was also able to actively encourage the reader to become active in evangelism.  Throughout the reading of this brief work I began to question my own evangelistic practices and was challenged to be more proactive in reaching lost souls for the kingdom of Christ.  I believe this proves the books value above everything else for it seems that the author desires more than anything that his readers become more regular in their own evangelistic endeavors.  
Critique of the Author's Main Points
The main eight points as outlined in this book are both Biblical and brilliant.  Even though the reader may be an astute student and long time Christian, he may have missed this clear step-by-step plan of the Master as it unfolds in the gospel narratives.  Though I was previously unaware of eight points prior to coming to this book, they became obvious to me as I read through the work for the first time.  Of course Jesus began with the selection and then moved into deeper association.  But to view this from the perspective that this was planned by Christ to be an example of disciple making to those who followed him and subsequently an example to those who read the gospel accounts is mind bowing and life changing.  Yes, I can see now the importance of consecration and the necessary next step of impartation.  It makes sense that demonstration would be the next step followed by delegation.  Of course Jesus would provide supervision and then require reproduction.  
What amazes me is that I have been studying the life of Jesus for nearly my whole life and have never seen this clear process.  What is more impacting is the way I am beginning to view my own life and ministry.  If Christ was actually leaving us an example to follow, which I believe He was, then I must pattern my ministry after His and begin with selection, association, consecration, impartation, demonstration, delegation, supervision, and reproduction.
The Strengths of the Book
The strengths of this book were in its' simplicity, authority, and practicality.  The book did not take a thousand pages to say what could be said in a hundred.  His point is simple and his delivery is clear.  The book is also extremely authoritative.  I do not mean in tone or delivery but in subject matter.  We are simply shown what Jesus did to change the world through investing himself into the lives of twelve men and are told to follow His plan for world evangelism.  The authority is found in Christ's example.  I have been practically helped throughout this book because I can see my life and ministry so clearly in its' pages.  Our church has grown to a point that I am unable to minister to each new convert in an intimate way as I had grown accustomed to doing.  Therefore, I have watched my personal interaction with people decrease and my time in the study increase.  I've been convinced that my lasting impact will not be in the large crowds that attend but the few disciples that I am making along the way.
The Weaknesses of the Book
One of the few weaknesses I see in this book is the unnecessary pendulum swing that may occur as an unintended consequence of certain statements.  When Coleman addresses the lack of personal care for individual converts he uses the "weekly confirmation class" as a straw man to prop us and beat.  Though his point is valid that new converts ought not solely find their instruction from a four to six week course, it may be taken by some as a reason to do away with such courses all together.  I have seen the great danger in this type of extremism.  A church decides that they are going to care for each individual convert and "disciple" them individually.  In doing so they eliminate the New Member Class and inadvertently lose contact with so many individuals that could have been helped by such a course.  The membership class, though an old and broad method, is extremely helpful in this modern area.  One method ought not supersede the need for the other.
Another weakness of the book can be seen in the forth step of impartation under the heading of The Work of the Holy Spirit. I do not disagree in the slightest that the work of evangelism, moreover the entire work of the ministry, is solely an act of God through man.  The determination and work ethic of a particular human will lead to nothing but emptiness, sorrow, and new religious demands.  It is only through the Holy Spirit that anything of lasting value will ever be accomplished.  However, the reader may be confused when he reads, "It is the Spirit of God who enables one to carry on the redemptive mission of evangelism…By his power the disciples were promised the very ability to do the works of their Lord.  In this light, evangelism was not interpreted as a human undertaking, but as a divine project that had been going on from the beginning and would continue until God's purpose was fulfilled.  It was altogether the Spirit's work.  All the disciples were asked to do was to let the Spirit have complete charge of their lives."
Though this concept is deeply rooted in Scripture it's wording in this section leaves it woefully incomplete.  Many have used this same wording to excuse themselves from personal evangelism altogether.  It is God's responsibility after all and we've simply been charged to allow the Spirit of God to fill us.  Therefore, corporate evangelism is unnecessary because God's purpose will be fulfilled regardless if we go into the community and advance the kingdom through personal evangelism.  I know that this is not Coleman's intention but it is often an unintended consequence of neglecting to remind the reader of their personal responsibility of fulfilling the great commission.  It is not strictly true that, "all the disciples were asked to do was to let the Spirit have complete charge of their lives."  Where they not also told to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature?"
Overall Evaluation of the Book
Overall, I must say, this book was a true blessing to my life.  It's simple message and clear outline is one that any Christian would be able to read, follow along, and understand.  His wording is eloquent yet simple.  His approach is gentle yet firm.  His message is inspiring yet approachable.  I loved this book because I believed its' thesis and furthermore believed that I am fully capable, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, to follow the example of the Master in the way He produced disciples for the kingdom of God.
Conclusion

It's all about making disciples.  Of this I have been reminded.  Too often I have been enamored with the crowds of seekers forgetting that it is the faithful few who deserve most of my attention.  Just as Jesus never neglected teaching the crowds I must always dedicate myself to teaching those willing to come and hear.  But I must do as Jesus did.  I must refocus my energy upon those few who I am able to have the most impact.  In doing this I will be following the example of the Master and multiplying my ministry into the next generation.