Introduction to Missiology

Ch.27 Contextual Evangelism Strategies

Why Contextualize?

• The population of the US increasingly questions the relevance of the church

• Societal dysfunction is on the rise• Church involvement is declining• Attitudes have shifted from friendly

toward the church to suspicious of the church

Sociocultural Changes

Rise in nonreligious from 1% in 1900 to over 21% today due to

• Rise of self-authority• Growing divergence of wealthy and

impoverished lifestyles• Growing isolation based on technology• Rise of privatized morality• Rise of religious pluralism

Contextual Evangelism

• Presenting the uncompromised gospel

• In the sociocultural, ethnic, and linguistic context of the hearers

• So they may respond and be discipled into a church

The Uncompromised Gospel

• The prophecy of Christ’s coming• Jesus’ miracles and his teaching• His atoning death on the cross• Jesus’ physical resurrection• The promise of his second coming• The sending of the Holy Spirit• Humankind’s need for repentance,

belief, and obedience in baptism

The Cultural Context

You need to use a tool to gather adequate information about a culture

• Worldview– Religious beliefs, folk religions,

understanding of Christianity– Core Values– Which people are important– Patterns of communication– Role of family and friends in decisions

Cultural Context (Cont)

• General cultural information– Socio-economic patterns and values– Education levels present and extent– Time– Customs and Special Days– Food

Contextual Evangelism Strategy

• Preparation – The key activity is prayer• Purpose – Involve every believer in

communicating a credible message of Christ in a way that makes cultural sense to the hearers

• Process – Make evangelism a core purpose of the church, then recruit and train champions to advance that purpose. Review results and revise strategy at least annually

Conclusion

• Much of what passes for Christianity in the South is just folk religion that emphasizes a certain set of do’s and don’ts

• What is needed in every place is a Christian faith that results in lives transformed from the inside out.