Transcript Evangelism
Evangelism Basics for the 21 st Century (Learning Section)
Prepared by Kwasi Kena GBOD
Regular Church Optional Icebreaker Opening: Use the YouTube Clip “Training Fleas” (Play Station ad) Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlpjA QgmQM
Types of Church Growth
Biological
– church members come from existing families in the church
Types of Church Growth
Transfer
– members come from other churches
Types of Church Growth
Conversion
– people become new Christians and join the church
Types of Church Growth
Which type of growth occurs most in your church?
Evangelism and Mainline Churches Unbinding the Gospel • An extensive study of evangelism in mainline churches.
• Includes best practices
How Did You Become a Methodist?
One pastor’s telling confession
A Theology of Evangelism
Evangelism… What’s That?
Evangelism and the Academy
Evangelism Described “Those sets of [church ministries] in which people are initiated into the kingdom of God for the first time.” --William Abraham
Evangelism Described Evangelism is more… “relational than confrontational” “communal than solitary” “A beginning point than an end.” --Hal Knight III & Doug Powe Jr.
Evangelism Described “That set of loving, intentional activities governed by the goal of initiating persons into Christian discipleship in response to the reign of God.” --Bishop Scott Jones
Evangelism Described “Evangelism is…the holistic initiation of people into the reign of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.” --Elaine Heath
Evangelism Described The proper context for evangelism is “authentic Christian community, where the expression of loving community is the greatest apologetic for the gospel.” --Elaine Heath
Regarding these descriptions of evangelism… What did you notice?
What do you wonder?
The “Evangel” Greek Definitions
The “Evangel” Defined
In the early church, three Greek words described "the evangel":
Euaggelizesthai
-- to Tell Good News
Marturein --
to Bear Witness K
erussein --
to Proclaim.
Being the Good News… With Just a Few Sandwiches Show Teen Feeds Homeless UMTV Video
Euaggelizesthai
–
to Tell Good News
What Good News do we have to share?
Jesus’ central message – the Kingdom (Reign) of God is at hand. (Readings from Luke 4:18-21 & Mark 4:26-7; 10:13-15)
Marturein
-- to Bear Witness
Greek understanding of
bearing witness
: A Legal Term
Marturein
-- to Bear Witness
Why is it
good
for you to be in personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
K
erussein --
to Proclaim
What do we proclaim?
K
erussein --
to Proclaim
Word Deed
Transforming Evangelism The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith Use as 6-week Study
What Motivates You to Do Evangelism?
Why? How?
If not heaven or hell, what motivates you?
A “Both/And” Theology
The Place of Prayer in United Methodism
The Proclamation/Growth Approach
Believe, Belong, Behave An Orthodox View
Models of Church
The Attractional Church
Church as Vendor of Religious Services
Church A Body of People--Sent
Missional Church Model
Evangelism Basics for the 21 st Century (Leading Section)
Prepared by Kwasi Kena GBOD
Pivotal Questions
What is church?
What is church for?
Make-No-Wave UMC
Make-No-Wave UMC What does this dialogue reveal about the congregation? About the Pastor?
What do you believe a congregation should expect from its pastor?
What do you believe a pastor should expect from the congregation?
Who “Does” Evangelism ?
Three Exercises
Exercise #1 Paying the Rent
“Paying the Rent” Group Activity (2 Minutes) Imagine you are getting a new pastor.
List the most important tasks he/she should do as your pastor to “pay the rent”
Paying the Rent (Sample List)
Sermon 15-20 hours (1 hour per minute) Planning Worship 2-3 hours Bible study 3-4 hours Visiting the sick 2-8 hours Youth 2-4 hours Specialized Ministry 4-6 hours Counseling 3-4 hours (session, research) Weddings 6 hours pre-marital Rehearsal 2-3 hours Service 2-6 hours Funerals 1-2 hours (visitation w/bereaved family) 1-2 hours service & obituary prep 4 hours eulogy prep 2-4 hours funeral, burial, meal w/family Office hours 20 hours Church committee meetings 2-4 hours
Paying the Rent Conclusions
A typical pastor works 50+ hours a week… On ministry that primarily benefits the congregation Who then “does” evangelism?
Dispel the Myth of “ Super-pastor”
A Pastor’s Multiple Functions:
–
Word, Sacrament , Order, and Service
–
Order (equip) church for service in mission & ministry
–
Lead people in discipleship and evangelistic outreach
The 2008 Book of Discipline, para. 340
Evangelism requires A Credible Witness
“Pastors typically discover that they lose credibility with about half of the unchurched population the day they get ordained.”
--George G. Hunter III,
Radical Outreach
, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003) p. 30 .
“When necessary use words…”
Exercise #2 Faith Sharing in 3 Chapters
Faith Sharing in 3 Chapters 1.
2.
3.
My life before Christ How I met Christ My life since meeting Christ 1.
2.
3.
Growing up in a Christian environment When I affirmed the faith myself My life since affirming the faith
Faith Sharing in 3 Chapters
Trinity of Relationships God Church Members People Outside Church
Exercise #3 Ministry in Focus See Ministry in Focus Handout
Ministry Focus
3 Focusing Questions
3 Dimensions of Discipleship
4 Audiences
Those Who Show Up
Those Who Walk In
1
st
Time Visitors
Friends and Family of Members
Neighbors
Identify What Your Congregation is Doing
Change the Scorecard
Homework 1. Weave prayer throughout your congregation.
2. Do at least one of the following exercises: a. Paying the Rent b. Ministry in Focus c. Faith Sharing in Three Chapters