Evangelism in Difficult Times

David Schoen Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Local Church Ministries United Church of Christ

Evangelism in the 21st Century Missional, Relational & Conversational • Missional in purpose • Relational in outreach • Conversational in witness

Missional in Purpose

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Missional congregations and disciples

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Find joy not in being served but in serving Missional congregations and disciples

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reach out beyond themselves Missional congregations and disciples

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Nurture new disciples and churches

Missional Evangelism

• Buzz Marketing • Evangelism

One beggar telling another where there is food

• Come and See! One Spiritual Seeker telling another where they found welcome.

Come and See

• What do you think when you hear the word….

– EVANGELISM ?

Celtic Evangelism In The Celtic Way of Evangelism:

How Christianity Can Reach the

West . . . Again, George Hunter writes about the difference between what he describes as the evangelism approach in Roman and Celtic Christianity.

Celtic Evangelism Roman Model Presentation Decision Fellowship Celtic Model Fellowship Ministry and Conversation Belief, Invitation to Commitment

Belonging and Believing Christianity is more caught than taught! As Professor Robin Gill observes, belonging comes before believing. For this reason, evangelism is now about helping people to belong so that they can believe.

Missional in Purpose Relational in Outreach • Ministry in 21 st Century is Relational • Build community with those outside the church • Get to know the unchurched people and culture

the world has changed

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60 – 80 % unchurched

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80 % of baby boomers left

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80 % of youth have negative view of church

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Culture does not support church

Relational in Outreach

• Bridge the gap by building relationships • The days of waiting for people to come to church to welcome them are over.

• Instead of waiting inside, we go outside

Go Forth into the World

• Stirring a 'Gumbo' Theology, Reverend Otis Moss III speaks on Church Vitality and Discipleship in a Hip Hop World http://www.ucc.org/vitality/ready-set grow/video/otis-moss.html

Missional Outreach

• Go to where the unchurched are: Starbucks, Borders Parks, Gyms •

“I stopped wondering about how to draw younger folks into my church and started focusing on how to draw my congregation out of its building and into relationship with the world outside its doors.”

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Go Forth….

Into the Virtual World.

In Asia, Europe and North America —an entire generation has experienced the Internet as a means for maintaining relationships with family and friends.

The Internet is a lifeline for users whose mobility is limited by disability, chronic illness or advanced age.

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The Internet is where we can find and engage seekers.

Go Forth….

Into the Virtual World.

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Web Ministry Resources

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UCC Web University

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http://www.ucc.org/vitality/web-university/

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Web tips on line

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http://www.ucc.org/webtips/

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A very useful resource is the book

" Reaching Out in a Networked World: Expressing Your Congregation's Heart and Soul

" by Lynne M. Baab (The Alban Institute). "

Websites that Work

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Relational in Outreach Conversational in Witness • Conversational ministry is central to the future of the church in 21 st Century • Count conversations, not conversions – Brian McLaren,

More Ready than You Think

Conversational Ministry

• The postmodern world calls for disciples who reach out to a world that is hungering for good conversation about faith, values, hope, meaning, purpose, goodness, beauty, truth, life after death, life before death and God. Engaging in everyday faith conversations will not only help others become Christians, it will help us become better Christians, who know and love the still speaking God more than ever.

Conversational Ministry

• A world of spiritual seekers wants to talk.

• We are the ones who are not talking! • Vital churches are communities in which the pastor and members have invited 5 to 15 new folks to their community of faith in the past six months.

Are you Ready to Talk?

“Tricking” the church into Evangelism – Taking it back!

Are You Ready to Talk?

Why do you love your church?

What impact has believing in God and following Jesus made in your life?

What Bible words have made a difference in your life?

God is still speaking,

Through you and me!

Resources for Missional Congregations • Ready, Set, Grow Resources on ucc.org/vitality – Vital-o-Meter – Discovering your Congregation’s Strengths – Discerning your Congregation’s Mission – “It’s a Whole New World” Anthony Robertson – Vitality Interviews – Vitality Powerpoint - Retreat Resources www.ucc.org/vitality/retreat-resources/

Evangelism in the 21st Century Go Forth into the World!

• Missional in purpose • Relational in outreach • Conversational in witness