A deceptive title, I know. But it probably caught your attention and you probably have an opinion. But before you express it think about this. Where should the church put the lion's share of it's resources - in reaching the lost or in teaching? To gain a definitive answer we not look any further than what is called "The Great Commission".
"Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus had completed his work of redemption. The cross and the tomb are now behind him. He is no longer the "suffering servant", he is the reigning King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and his mandate to the church is to make disciples. What is important to understand in this passage is there is only one main verb, "make disciples", and three participles, which define what it means to make disciples. The first participle is "go", the second is "baptize", the third is "teach". The command to make disciples involves going (evangelism - telling the good news), baptizing (fellowship - identifying with Christ and his church), and instruction (teaching all God's word and helping the believer grow in obedience to Christ).
There was serious confusion in the church I grew up in over the definition of discipleship, which was only been thought of in terms of teaching. The consequence has been a degeneration of what I call real evangelism. The preaching of the gospel was thought of only as proclaiming a message, Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). The belief was if you get a person saved (evangelism) then you follow up with teaching (discipleship).
I've always found it interesting that Jesus himself didn't separate evangelism from discipleship. In practice Jesus called the twelve who were unbelievers whom he taught about the kingdom of God (that God wants to rule in your life), convinced them that he is who he says he is and he can do everything he says he can do, and then he gave them the ministry to go and make disciples.
The better question is not which is more important, but does our practice of evangelism produce a convert (evangelism) that connects with Christ and his Church (baptism), and grows in obedience to all of Christ's commands (teaching). That is real evangelism! That is discipleship! The church that remains true to this mission cannot fail. Jesus said, "I will build my church", and "I will be with you to the end of the age."
