Evangelism (original) (raw)

Evangelism, from the Greek word "eu-aggelos" meaning "the good news" or "the Gospel", is the dissemination of the Christian Gospel. By metaphor, it also refers to any form of recruitment or spreading-the-word for a group or movement seen as ideological or committed: hence, for instance, open source evangelism.

The "Evangelical" movement in Christianity encompasses denominations and parachurch organizations which, among other characteristics, focus on evangelism and the drawing-in of new converts -- in their terminology, the "saving of souls". Discussion of religious behavior sometimes contrasts evangelical groups with liturgical groups, those which focus on ritual practice among the existing members as opposed to drawing in new members.

See also Evangelist, Televangelism.