Sharing Faith Today

What’s the point?

Sharing Faith Today:

What is evangelism?

A definition of Evangelism

Lausanne, 1974.

What is evangelism?

Note the link between evangelism

and discipleship

What is evangelism?

Essentials of the Christian Faith

What is evangelism?

The Stereotype of Evangelism

What is evangelism?

Preacher and rally

What is evangelism?

Preacher on TV

What is evangelism?

Courses on the faith

RICA, Emmaus

What is evangelism?

Other forms of evangelism – are their forms of evangelism

with less profile?

What is evangelism?

Is the humble coffee morning a work of

evangelism?

What is evangelism?

Is evangelism concerned only with preaching and challenge?

What is evangelism?

Is mission about how we demonstrate

the good news?

What is evangelism?

Problem

These definitions can be confusing, naieve

& devisive

What is evangelism?

The BIG fight between evangelism

and mission

What is evangelism?

What is evangelism?

In the NT proclamation and social witness are

inseparable.

A more helpful idea:

Evangelism as a key dimension of mission

Greek underlying mission = evangelsim. Mission done overseas & evangelism done at home.

What is evangelism?

A historical overview of the tensions

between evangelism and mission

What is evangelism?

Pre-19th Century:

‘Mission’ overseas

‘Evangelism’ at home

Leading Reform

What is evangelism?

The Great Reversal 1895-1914:

An attempt to herald the second coming.

What is evangelism?

Formation of the World Council of Churches, 1948

Following a tradition to ‘Bring the gospel to everyone in ‘this’ generation’ John Mott.

What is evangelism?

Post WW2:

Should we encourage preaching or social

action?

What is evangelism?

Donald McGravin, 1968.

Will Uppsala betray the 2 billion?

What is evangelism?

Stott vs Costas 1975

There is no separation between evangelism

and mission

What is evangelism?

Do we use the term mission or

evangelism to define what we do?

What is evangelism?

Evangelicalism and social conscience – 1975/86, Nairobi &

South Africa

What is evangelism?

WCC today:

Missiological Juggernaut?

What is evangelism?

WCC today:

Ecclesiological Nightmare?

What is evangelism?

Recent insights into evangelism: what activities can be

termed ‘evangelism’?

What is evangelism?

Evangelism is an intentional activity

(Needs planning)Billy Abraham, Scott Jones,

What is evangelism?

Evangelism is strategic but open

to the Spirit

Rolland Allen, Missionary Methods, St Pauls or ours.

What is evangelism?

Evangelism relates to a

specific cultureTomlinson, Bridges, Donovan, Rise in Parachurch, Youth for Christ, Crusaders,

Class meeting in Methodism

What is evangelism?

The intention is to make new converts

William Abrahams, Scott Jones,

What is evangelism?

Giving people an opportunity to accept Christ

while…..Lausanne 1974,

(Bosch – radically reorientate lives including becoming member of a Christian Community.)

What is evangelism?

Informing people about the cost of following Jesus

(Lausanne 1974 – evangelism always points to discipleship, Monica Hill, Entering the Kingdom )

What is evangelism?

Initiating people into the Kingdom

of GodBosch, Abrahams, Scott Jones

What is evangelism?

Evangelism is a process.

3 years Catchechesis, Fowler – Finding Faith Today, The Engel Scale.

What is evangelism?

Catchechesis

Engel Scale

Fowler3 years Catchechesis, Fowler – Finding Faith Today, The Engel Scale.

What is evangelism?

Evangelism is outward looking and Kingdom orientated.

Thrust of NT and evident in the Great Commission, Bosch – Transforming Mission

What is evangelism?

Evangelism is like the lead in a pencil

What is evangelism?

Evangelism is not…

What is evangelism?

At the point of a sword or on the

threat of hell.Constantine CE312 Edict, CE324 conversion. Becomes a Christian –and then miraculously the Empire is converted!

Fear cf love. Welsey’s 44 Sermons

Evangelism is not!

…a tool for political or economic stabilisation.

Verkuyl – Contemporary Missiology – Impure Motives for Mission

Evangelism is not!

Looking for more Church members –

or the same as Church growth.

Reaction to Donald McGravan Church Growth theory.

Evangelism is not!

Sheep-stealing from other Churches

DAWN Discipling a Whole Nation – Church Planting Movement – Agreement between denominations

Evangelism is not!

The preserve of evangelists

Michael Green – Evangelism through the local Church, 1992

Evangelism is not!

Things we find hard…..

What is evangelism?

Breaking into conversations where we can share our faith

What is evangelism?

Changing the form of our message to relate to different

cultures.

What is evangelism?

Doing the work of the Kingdom in

the institution of the Church.

What is evangelism?

Some helpful tips

For those in work

What is evangelism?

Be transparent!

What is evangelism?

Let love and friendship take the

lead in evangelism.

What is evangelism?

Ask friends if you can remember them in

your prayers

What is evangelism?

Some helpful tips

for Churches

What is evangelism?

Has everyone attending Church has had the

opportunity to make a faith commitment?

What is evangelism?

Develop regular services designed

for newcomers

What is evangelism?

Don’t expect the world to come to you:

go out to the world

What is evangelism?

Use business cards on coffee tables,

saying something about faith.

What is evangelism?

Network with community groups

and share in an activity

What is evangelism?

Place prayer boxes/boards in

public places

What is evangelism?

Make things easy on yourself!

What is evangelism?

Is the coffee morning a work of

evangelism?

What is evangelism?