Evangelists (2099) (euaggelistes from euaggelizo = to evangelize) (See related word euaggelion = gospel) (Evangelist) are those possessed a special gift of communicating the Gospel in relevant terms to those who are not yet Christians. The evangelist was (and is) primarily responsible for the numerical growth of the body of Christ (the "obstetrician" who birthed saints through the gospel). He was the bringer of good tidings. An evangelist knew the gospel narrative thoroughly and was capable of explaining it. They were traveling or itinerant missionaries preaching the gospel to the unconverted and calling them to repentance. It is important to note that the purpose of evangelization is to carefully but simply help unbelievers become aware of their sinfulness and lostness and through the proclamation of the Gospel to proclaim Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord. Any human manipulation in that process, no matter how well intentioned, always becomes a barrier to genuine belief. Luke (the second of three NT uses) describes a NT evangelist writing... And on the next day we departed and came to Caesarea; and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. (Acts 21:8) (Comment: Philip was best known for his missionary work in Samaria and with the Ethiopian eunuch [Acts 8:5-40]. An evangelist brings the good news of salvation to the unconverted Pastors can also do the work of evangelists, for we see Paul exhorting his young protégée Timothy (in the face of men turning away their ears from the truth, and turning aside to myths) to... be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2Ti 4:5-note) (This is the third and final NT use) Ray Stedman explains that... The evangelist's task is not to go about denouncing sin, but to point the way out of sin. The evangelist may call people's attention to that which is creating so much misery and heartache in their lives, but his work is not to denounce and condemn sinners. Evangelists are no to thunder away at people, telling them what miserable creatures they are and how God is waiting to strike them with thunderbolts of judgment. He is not to expose the horrors of hellfire and dangle sinners over those fires until they writhe and tremble. That is not the calling of the evangelist! If the preaching of "fire and brimstone" is ever called for, it is the task of a prophet, not the task of an evangelist. The evangelist's role is to tell people about the overpowering grace of God and the overpowering love of a heavenly Father--a Father who calls men and women back to Himself, offering to set their twisted lives straight through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Many Christians today possess the gift of an evangelist, both men and women. Evangelism can be done anywhere. It is not restricted to mass meetings, such as in the great Billy Graham crusades, though Dr. Graham's ministry is also true evangelism. The gift of an evangelist can he exercised toward a single individual, as is clear in the book of Acts when Philip the evangelist spoke to the Ethiopian eunuch as he was riding along in a chariot and told him of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. (Ray Stedman's book Body Life [recommended], specifically the chapter entitled How the Body Works) AND SOME AS PASTORS AND TEACHERS: tous de poimenas kai didaskalous: (2Chronicles 15:3; Jeremiah 3:15; Matthew 28:20; Acts 13:1; Romans 12:7; 1Corinthians 12:29; Hebrews 5:12; 1Pe 5:1, 2, 3) Pastors and teachers - The two nouns are connected in Greek by kai which often has the meaning "that is" or "in particular" and thus many feel this conjunction connects the pastors (shepherds) and teachers in a way that speaks of a single entity of teaching shepherds ("Pastor-Teachers"). An additional piece of evidence supporting this distinction is that the and (kai) differs from the other “and’s” (de) in this verse. All pastors teach (since teaching is an essential part of pastoral ministry), but not all teachers are pastors. The latter exercise their leadership role by feeding God’s flock with His word. NET Note... Some interpreters have understood the phrase pastors and teachers to refer to one and the same group. This would mean that all pastors are teachers and that all teachers are pastors. This position is often taken because it is recognized that both nouns (i.e., pastors and teachers) are governed by one article in Greek. But because the nouns are plural, it is extremely unlikely that they refer to the same group, but only that the author is linking them closely together. It is better to regard the pastors as a subset of teachers. In other words, all pastors are teachers, but not all teachers are pastors. Vincent... The omission of the article from teachers seems to indicate that pastors and teachers are included under one class. Ray Stedman has an interesting comment on pastors writing... The pastors of the churches are not to exercise their authority as bosses but as examples. When they themselves obey the Word, others will be motivated to follow. But if the teaching pastors do not practice what they preach, they have no other authority. Their authority derives from their spirituality, and if they lose their spirituality they also lose their authority. It is not the office that gives a pastor the right to rule--it is the individual and his gift before God. (from Pastor Stedman's book Body Life and the chapter entitled How the Body Works)