New Wineskins for 21

st

Century Wine

Evangelism in An Age of Evangelization

 What is evangelism?

◦ 1 st -4 th centuries – personal, individual sharing of a relationship with Jesus Christ ◦ 5 th -13 th centuries – virtually unheard of; the spread of faith was political/military ◦ 14 th -16 th centuries – institutional/empiric – invitation shifted from “Christ” to “Church”

The Evolution (& Devolution) of Evangelism

 What is evangelism?

◦ 17 th -19 th centuries – factional/theological – shifted from “Church” to “church” ◦ 20 th century – personal/universal – “do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior?”  Church identity shifted from community to individual.

◦ 21 st century – institutional representation – evangelism = marketing

The Evolution (& Devolution) of Evangelism

18 14

Faith Sharing & Evangelism

3 34 With other Christians Church's responsibility Unclear about "Evangelism" Lifestyle With non-Christians 31

United Methodist Approaches to Faith Sharing & Evangelism

21

Faith Sharing & Evangelism

5 Embarrassment/Fear 39 Lack of preparation/knowledge Concern not to intrude/force beliefs Indifference 35

United Methodist Obstacles to Faith Sharing & Evangelism

 Confusion ◦ 83% of United Methodists equate evangelism with “inviting people to come to church” ◦ ◦ 57% of United Methodists have a “strongly negative” or “negative” emotional response to the word “evangelism” (only 12% have negative reactions to the term “faith sharing” Only 4% of UMs remember ever having been taught HOW to share their faith

Challenges to Modern-Day Evangelism

 Ignorance ◦ 9% of United Methodists would like training and guidance in sharing their faith with others outside the church.

◦ 76% of United Methodists say they don’t think it is their responsibility to share their faith with others – faith is personal and private

Challenges to Modern-Day Evangelism

Whose Responsibility?

8 35 Church (Leaders) responsibility Pastor's responsibility 27 Evangelism Committee/Team responsibility Personal responsibility 30

Attitudes About Inviting People To Church

When was the last time you invited someone to church?

12 3 Never More than a year ago 48 Within the past year 37 Within the past month

Attitudes About Inviting People To Church

When was the last time someone invited you to their church?

6 19 Never 16 More than a year ago Within the past year Within the past month 59

Attitudes About Inviting People To Church

When was the last time you talked to a non-believer about your faith?

15 2 Never More than a year ago 54 Within the past year 29 Within the past month

Attitudes About Sharing Faith

How often are you encouraged to share your faith by the leaders and teachers in your church?

Never 4 1 10 Occasionally 24 61 Regularly/Often Monthly Weekly

Attitudes About Sharing Faith

How does your church teach you to share your faith & engage in evangelism?

3 It doesn't 15 Workshops/Classes 15 17 50 Sunday School In worship Other

Attitudes About Sharing Faith

   Restrictive Evangelism – Invitation based on a construct of “who belongs/who doesn’t” belief system – strong division between “sacred” & “secular.” Remedial Evangelism – Turn-or-Burn, escape-the-wrath-to-come, do-you-know where-you’ll-spend-eternity invitation.

Revisional Evangelism – Invitation into a narrowly defined, pre-determined relationship with God/Jesus/the Church.

Five Facets of Modern Evangelism

  Representational Evangelism – Relying on non-personal messaging – marketing, tracts, billboards, flyers, websites, newsletters, etc. to do our evangelism for us.

Relational Evangelism – Interpersonal invitation for mutual sharing and reflection grounded in relationship.

Five Facets of Modern Evangelism

     Restrictive Evangelism – Who we will allow in (Us) Remedial Evangelism – Who we want to save (Us) Revisional Evangelism – What we want people to know and believe (Us) Representational Evangelism – How we can get people to join us (Us) Relational Evangelism – Who we care enough about to introduce to God/Jesus

Five Foci of Modern Evangelism

   Invasive Evangelism – Dualistic (“churched/unchurched,” “saints/sinners,” sacred/secular, “us/them”) Evasive Evangelism – Indirect/come to us (about programs, services, events, having needs met, coming “to church.” Pervasive Evangelism – Direct and personal (journey in community, walking together, interactive, developmental)

Three Types of Modern Evangelism

How are we sharing our UM faith?

8 20 Invasive Evasive Pervasive 72

Three Types of Modern Evangelism

Alpha Omega

    Personal & relational Incarnational People trained, equipped, supported Focus: building the body of Christ for the transformation of the world     Impersonal & uni directional Institutional People left to own devices Focus: expanding the scope and reach of the church for the transformation of the world.

The Future of Evangelism

We want conversation, not a lecture We want questions, not answers We want safety and respect, not disapproval We want stories, not “Four Spiritual Laws We want welcome and patience, not pressure and deadlines We want guidelines, not rules

Six Wants of Spiritual Seekers

    Focus on Faith Sharing rather than Evangelism Teach people the art of conversation Help people learn to tell their own story Talk about talking about the faith  Build faith sharing into group processes ◦ “Where have you experienced the grace of God in your life this week?” ◦ ◦ “Where have you extended God’s grace to others this week?” “And how is it with your soul?”

Where Do We Start?