What is the gospel we What is the gospel we share?share?

A presentation byA presentation by

Jim Currin, Church Army Captain,Jim Currin, Church Army Captain,Secretary for EvangelisationSecretary for EvangelisationChurches Together in EnglandChurches Together in England

Ecumenism, Mission and EvangelisationNorthampton Diocese Ecumenical Commission

Introduction – ‘many facets’Introduction – ‘many facets’

Aim of the day:Aim of the day:

to find a new compass for Ecumenism, mission and evangelisation in 2012

‘‘Compass’ is the ‘Gospel’Compass’ is the ‘Gospel’ Four books of the BibleFour books of the Bible Sunday readingSunday reading Message of salvationMessage of salvation ‘‘swear gospel truth’swear gospel truth’ DoctrineDoctrine PreachingPreaching Good newsGood news EtcEtc

What is the gospel we What is the gospel we share?share?

Answers on a post card please ...

The gospel message is ...

Text from 40 cards =Text from 40 cards =

www.wordle.net www.jesus360.org.uk (RC Northampton)

Compare with ‘FPE Conference’Compare with ‘FPE Conference’

www.wordle.net www.jesus360.org.uk (FPE Conference)

Premise – Premise –

300 books300 books Protestant ‘systematic theology’Protestant ‘systematic theology’ Catholic St Paul ‘primary source EC’Catholic St Paul ‘primary source EC’ Mar Thoma: St Paul the ‘architect’Mar Thoma: St Paul the ‘architect’ Missionary Methods: St Paul’s or Ours?Missionary Methods: St Paul’s or Ours? ‘‘Conversion’, and ‘being saved’ languageConversion’, and ‘being saved’ languageEven:Even:... ‘born again’ used to fit Pauline structure ...... ‘born again’ used to fit Pauline structure ...

the western church has largely inherited St Paul’s model of mission and evangelisation:

Premise seen in -Premise seen in - ChurchChurch LanguageLanguage LettersLetters TheologyTheology StructureStructure SermonsSermons EtcEtc Discuss ‘Past and Present’ / ‘Right / Discuss ‘Past and Present’ / ‘Right /

wrong’?wrong’?

St Paul’s gospel St Paul’s gospel explanationexplanation ‘‘Gospel .. Regarding his son’ Gospel .. Regarding his son’ Rom 1:3Rom 1:3 ‘‘power of God for salvation’ power of God for salvation’ Rom 1:16Rom 1:16 ‘‘Delivered to death for our sins and raised Delivered to death for our sins and raised

to life for our justification’ to life for our justification’ Rom 4: 25Rom 4: 25 ‘‘Wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is

eternal life in Christ’ eternal life in Christ’ Rom 6:23Rom 6:23 ‘‘Grace given you in Christ Jesus’ Grace given you in Christ Jesus’ 1Cor 1:41Cor 1:4 ‘‘sent .. To preach the gospel’ sent .. To preach the gospel’ 1Cor 1:171Cor 1:17 ‘‘we preach Christ crucified .. Christ the we preach Christ crucified .. Christ the

power of God’ power of God’ 1 Cor 1:241 Cor 1:24

Q – who were the words written for?Q – who were the words written for?

‘‘Paulin – Paulin – ism’ ism’ Frost + Hirsch ‘Shaping’ Frost + Hirsch ‘Shaping’ p112/3p112/3

Preaching and church plantingPreaching and church planting Church pattern and orderChurch pattern and order Theology to Early ChurchTheology to Early Church Etc, so Paul = architectEtc, so Paul = architect

BUT: who is the rock?BUT: who is the rock?

What are the great theological / missiological What are the great theological / missiological themes which St Paul explored, shaped, themes which St Paul explored, shaped, presented and handed down to us? presented and handed down to us?

Paul’s great theological themes:Paul’s great theological themes:

RedemptionRedemption JustificationJustification SanctificationSanctification SalvationSalvation ElectionElection EtcEtc

>>> Add?>>> Add?

NB: Evangelisation / NB: Evangelisation / experienceexperience1.1. ParentsParents2.2. OsmosisOsmosis3.3. ConversionConversion4.4. PastoralPastoral5.5. CounsellingCounselling6.6. VisionVision7.7. HealingHealing8.8. EtcEtc

Q – what was Paul’s experience? Ergo?Q – what was Paul’s experience? Ergo?

Examples of St Paul as Examples of St Paul as normnorm Roland Alan ‘Missionary Methods’ Roland Alan ‘Missionary Methods’ CH Dodd ‘Apostolic Preaching’CH Dodd ‘Apostolic Preaching’ John Finney: Emerging EvangelismJohn Finney: Emerging Evangelism The Biblical Foundation for MissionThe Biblical Foundation for Mission

Arguments for Paul > Jesus x4Arguments for Paul > Jesus x4‘‘Almost all of Jesus’ universal commissions found int he Gospels are Almost all of Jesus’ universal commissions found int he Gospels are

presented as post-Easter contexts....Thus the Gospels do not presented as post-Easter contexts....Thus the Gospels do not offer strong evidence that during his lifetime Jesus of Nazareth offer strong evidence that during his lifetime Jesus of Nazareth engaged in an explicitly universal mission, no did he so engaged in an explicitly universal mission, no did he so commission his disciples’ p142commission his disciples’ p142

Start from different place?Start from different place? ScriptureScripture Tradition Tradition ReasonReason ExperienceExperience Holy SpiritHoly Spirit KingdomKingdom Old TestamentOld Testament JesusJesus

– IncarnationIncarnation– CrucifixionCrucifixion– ResurrectionResurrection

Q - your starting place?Q - your starting place?

Different place = GospelsDifferent place = Gospels

Task to find:Task to find:

The gospel –The gospel –in the Gospelsin the Gospels

Q – What is the message of Jesus?Q – What is the message of Jesus?

A new compass for ecumenism, mission and evangelisation?

NB: Paul points to JesusNB: Paul points to Jesus ‘‘Follow me’ Follow me’ Mt 4:19Mt 4:19 ‘‘Blessed a re the poor in spirit for theirs is Blessed a re the poor in spirit for theirs is

the kingdom of heaven’ the kingdom of heaven’ Mt 5:3Mt 5:3 Ask and it will be given to you’ Ask and it will be given to you’ Mt 7:7Mt 7:7 ‘‘Take up your cross’ Take up your cross’ Mt 16: 24Mt 16: 24 ‘‘Your sins are forgiven’ Your sins are forgiven’ Mark 2:5Mark 2:5 ‘‘Go, sell what you own, and give the Go, sell what you own, and give the

money to the poor’ money to the poor’ Mk 10: 17-20Mk 10: 17-20 etcetc

Q – who were the words written for?Q – who were the words written for?A – John 20: 30, 31.A – John 20: 30, 31.

Introduce ‘360’ - not a Introduce ‘360’ - not a formulaformula

PicturesPictures InterviewInterview AntivirusAntivirus XboxXbox DiggerDigger ADD …ADD …

Jesus 360?Jesus 360?

360 used in:

Jesus ‘360’ = starting point?Jesus ‘360’ = starting point?

Etc

Lessons from the MasterLessons from the Master Bill Hybells: Contagious ChristianBill Hybells: Contagious Christian Martin Hengel: composite GospelMartin Hengel: composite Gospel James M Robinson: QJames M Robinson: Q Tom Wright: ‘For everyone’Tom Wright: ‘For everyone’ Robin GambleRobin Gamble Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI

.... etc.... etc

360 jigsaw360 jigsaw Pieces to big picturePieces to big picture From all four GospelsFrom all four Gospels Removing duplicatesRemoving duplicates Listing ‘as given’ words of JesusListing ‘as given’ words of Jesus Taking ‘top 50’Taking ‘top 50’ Looking at all facetsLooking at all facets Possible answers to question: ‘what Possible answers to question: ‘what

must I do to inherit eternal life’.must I do to inherit eternal life’.

‘‘Jesus 360’Jesus 360’ All anglesAll angles All directionsAll directions ContradictoryContradictory ParadoxicalParadoxical

> > Experience of paradox?Experience of paradox?> Faith Development / stages of faith> Faith Development / stages of faith>> Cyprian Smith, The Way of paradox. >> Cyprian Smith, The Way of paradox.

DLTDLT

Gospel - exciting adventureGospel - exciting adventure

Paradox

Paradox

Paradox

Paradox Parado

x

Paradox

Paradox in the Gospel?

The ‘360 Gospel of Jesus’The ‘360 Gospel of Jesus’Jesus model is not ‘one size fits all’. Just Jesus model is not ‘one size fits all’. Just

like the facets of a diamond it depends like the facets of a diamond it depends on the angle as to what you see: on the angle as to what you see:

‘‘Repent and believe’Repent and believe’ ‘‘Follow me’ Follow me’ ‘‘You must be born again’.You must be born again’. ‘‘Give away your goods to the poor’Give away your goods to the poor’ ‘‘Take up your cross’Take up your cross’ etcetc Add?

Pastor and Evangelist storyPastor and Evangelist story

Gospel in the GospelsGospel in the Gospels Q: What must I do? Answer x2!Q: What must I do? Answer x2! Read all 4 GospelsRead all 4 Gospels Lose duplicatesLose duplicates List all possible ‘answers’ (84)List all possible ‘answers’ (84) Eliminate to get ‘top 50’Eliminate to get ‘top 50’ Add all texts to Add all texts to www.wordle.net

>> What are possible texts?>> What are possible texts?NB: accept text out of context = pretext, BUT argument from Pope NB: accept text out of context = pretext, BUT argument from Pope

Benedict XVI in Jesus of Nazareth about ‘historical criticism’ Benedict XVI in Jesus of Nazareth about ‘historical criticism’ method method

Word picture of ‘top 50 texts’Word picture of ‘top 50 texts’

Q - What does this ‘word cloud’ say to us about the gospel?

Headlines counted in ‘top 50 Headlines counted in ‘top 50 texts’texts’

Q – How close to St Paul? Q – Implications for ecumenism, mission / evangelisation?

1. Repentance of sin (x16)

2. Follow and love me (x13)

3. Live a righteous life (x8)

4. Care for others (x8)

5. Believe and trust for eternal life (x13)

The compass = the gospel in the The compass = the gospel in the GospelsGospels

Principles:

1.Three stories2.Their story and God’s story > my story3.What they hear is more important than what I say4.At appropriate time, name the name of Jesus5.Don’t point finger – Jesus didn’t6.The motivation, and the gift, is love7.John 3:16 ‘gospel in a nutshell’

Ecumenism and Ecumenism and EvangelisationEvangelisation Paradox of unity (Vine / branches)Paradox of unity (Vine / branches) Growth at the edge Growth at the edge Adventure ‘people / God’Adventure ‘people / God’ Look to Jesus ‘pioneer and Look to Jesus ‘pioneer and

perfecter’perfecter’

Facets of the gospel – for allFacets of the gospel – for all

Their need > ours

Prayer, Care, Share ... dare!

Name the name of Jesus

Individualise the message

PLAY You tube videoJ John: ‘He is the one’

Inherited evangelism Inherited evangelism model?model? PreachingPreaching

Bible bashingBible bashing

PressurePressure

JudgementJudgement

New evangelism model?New evangelism model? Three relationships:Three relationships:

God

Me You

Sharing faith the Jesus way: Bible Reading Fellowship

Ecumenism?Mission?Evangelisation?

Mission together - principleMission together - principleChrist's intercessory (high priestly) prayerChrist's intercessory (high priestly) prayer

‘‘I pray also for those who will believe I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.' may believe that you have sent me.'

John 17: 20b,21.John 17: 20b,21.

'It is our conviction that, as a matter of policy 'It is our conviction that, as a matter of policy at all levels and in all places, our churches at all levels and in all places, our churches must now move from co-operation to clear must now move from co-operation to clear commitment to each other, in search of the commitment to each other, in search of the unity for which Christ prayed and in common unity for which Christ prayed and in common evangelism and service of the world'.evangelism and service of the world'.

Swanwick Declaration Swanwick Declaration 19871987

Prayer of Churches Prayer of Churches TogetherTogetherLord God, we thank youLord God, we thank you

For calling us into the companyFor calling us into the companyOf those who trust in ChristOf those who trust in ChristAnd seek to obey his will.And seek to obey his will.May your Spirit guide and strengthen usMay your Spirit guide and strengthen usIn mission and service to your world;In mission and service to your world;For we are strangers no longerFor we are strangers no longerBut pilgrims together on the way to your But pilgrims together on the way to your Kingdom.Kingdom.AmenAmen

Five Marks of MissionFive Marks of Mission1.1. To proclaim the good news of the Kingdom To proclaim the good news of the Kingdom

2.2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers To teach, baptise and nurture new believers

3.3. To respond to human need by loving service To respond to human need by loving service

4.4. To seek to transform unjust structures of To seek to transform unjust structures of society society

5.5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of earth. and sustain and renew the life of earth.

Five Marks of UnityFive Marks of Unity1.1. Working togetherWorking together

2.2. Mutual accountabilityMutual accountability

3.3. Visible unityVisible unity

4.4. Whole inhabited earthWhole inhabited earth

5.5. Coming kingdom of GodComing kingdom of God

Missio dei : the 'mission of Missio dei : the 'mission of God'. God'. The missiologist David Bosch is often quoted as The missiologist David Bosch is often quoted as

saying: 'mission is not primarily an activity of saying: 'mission is not primarily an activity of the church, but an attribute of God. God is a the church, but an attribute of God. God is a missionary God'. missionary God'.

((David Bosch in Transforming Mission, Maryknoll: Orbis Books 1991. p 389/310).David Bosch in Transforming Mission, Maryknoll: Orbis Books 1991. p 389/310).

The Lund PrincipleThe Lund Principle

Since the World Faith and Order Since the World Faith and Order conference at Lund in 1952, the conference at Lund in 1952, the churches have been asked whether churches have been asked whether they 'should not act together in all they 'should not act together in all matters except those which deep matters except those which deep differences of conviction compel them differences of conviction compel them to act separately? The question is to act separately? The question is sometimes asked the other way round!sometimes asked the other way round!

Churches Together in Churches Together in EnglandEngland'Churches Together in England is a visible sign 'Churches Together in England is a visible sign

of the churches commitment as they seek a of the churches commitment as they seek a deepening of communion with Christ and one deepening of communion with Christ and one another, and proclaim the Gospel together by another, and proclaim the Gospel together by common witness and service. It's strength common witness and service. It's strength comes from people from different traditions comes from people from different traditions finding new ways to work and worship finding new ways to work and worship together’.together’.

Annual Annual Report.Report.

'Churches Together' and 'Churches Together' and 'churches together''churches together'

England :England :2500 local 'Churches Together' groups, 2500 local 'Churches Together' groups,

some of which like Bristol and Cambridge have a long history going some of which like Bristol and Cambridge have a long history going back to the 1920's and 30's. Many were formed after World War II back to the 1920's and 30's. Many were formed after World War II when the World Council of Churches came in to being, especially in the when the World Council of Churches came in to being, especially in the 50's/60's/70's50's/60's/70's

800+ formal Local Ecumenical 800+ formal Local Ecumenical PartnershipsPartnerships

There are 6 kinds of LEP:There are 6 kinds of LEP:

1. 1. Single Congregation Partnerships Single Congregation Partnerships 2. Congregations in Covenanted2. Congregations in Covenanted 3. Shared Building3. Shared Building 4. Chaplaincy Partnerships4. Chaplaincy Partnerships 5. Mission Partnerships5. Mission Partnerships 6. Education Partnerships6. Education Partnerships

Hope 08: 1500 gps of Hope 08: 1500 gps of churcheschurches88.2% report that as a result of Hope08 their 88.2% report that as a result of Hope08 their

church's attitude towards other Christian church's attitude towards other Christian groups and denominations improved. In groups and denominations improved. In areas where inter-church partnerships were areas where inter-church partnerships were already in place, 71% thought these working already in place, 71% thought these working relationships were strengthened. No one relationships were strengthened. No one thought attitudes had got worse as a result of thought attitudes had got worse as a result of Hope08. Hope08.

Hope 08 churches involved:Hope 08 churches involved:

91.7% said Baptists involved91.7% said Baptists involved 88.9% CofE88.9% CofE 77.8% Methodists77.8% Methodists 58.3% Roman Catholics58.3% Roman Catholics 55.6% Salvation Army55.6% Salvation Army 50.0% URC50.0% URC (47.2% said other ‘new’ churches)(47.2% said other ‘new’ churches) 41.7% AOG41.7% AOG

Mutual Respect and Mutual Respect and Interdependence = MRIInterdependence = MRIPhrase has been key for 20 years in overseas Phrase has been key for 20 years in overseas

mission activity and reports of the Council for mission activity and reports of the Council for World Mission and Evangelism of the World World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches. Council of Churches.

The MRI principle, it has lead to fundamental The MRI principle, it has lead to fundamental changes in how mission is conducted, changes in how mission is conducted, especially overseas (eg missionaries are now especially overseas (eg missionaries are now called 'mission partners') and is now seen by called 'mission partners') and is now seen by many as a guiding principle for mission in the many as a guiding principle for mission in the UK. UK.

The Great CommissionThe Great Commission

A key mandate for mission comes from the Great Commission of Jesus:A key mandate for mission comes from the Great Commission of Jesus:

'Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in 'Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' age.' (Mt 28: 18-20)(Mt 28: 18-20)

2012 Mission Together2012 Mission Together‘‘Unprecedented’Unprecedented’

www.cte.org.uk/www.cte.org.uk/2012missiontogether2012missiontogether

Web resource:

Contact:Contact: Jim.currin@cte.org.ukJim.currin@cte.org.uk