The current context

Postmodernism – people now decide what is true based on experience rather than rational argument
Society overall is now further away from Christ (can no longer assume that people believe in truth, existence of God, etc)
Although we have understood conversion as a process for some time, we still often approach evangelism as a single event rather than a process towards faith in Christ.

We need to create (in our church)…

1. a sense of ownership (sentness) about evangelism
• accountability e.g. small group structure?
• A ministry mindset with every encounter with every person (2 Cor 5:20 ~we are ambassadors for Christ)
• Need 100% buy in within leadership so that people have models to follow

2. An expanded view of evangelism
• Evangelism is walking with the person as they journey towards faith in Christ
• Therefore, we rejoice in any movement towards Christ
• Help friends to take the next step
• The Gospel IS ultimately a message, but evangelism is a process that is bigger than just communication of the message

3. An expectation of involvement evangelistically with their friends/acquaintances
• Building relationships, showing hospitality with non-churched people

4. An environment of affirmation & permission to NOT be involved in EVERY church activity so as to invest time in redemptive relationships
• What should be the primary ministry? To the church or to the unsaved?
• Don’t let church ministry distract you from your primary ministry which is to the unsaved

5. An understanding of skills for meaningful conversations with non-churched people
• Jesus’ ministry – drawing people to himself & accepting them (Luke 15:1-2) the tax collectors and sinners came near to listen to Him
o They came near because of Jesus’ incarnation (identifying with them)
o They listened because they knew that He had something meaningful to say
• Learn from Jesus’ example: Jesus often didn’t start by making people feel bad about their sinfulness (John 4) Jesus first showed the Samaritan woman that He had something to offer, then she asked for it, THEN He exposed her sinfulness.

6. Events/activities/resources that will facilitate your people’s redemptive relationships

7. An understanding among church people of your church’s strategy for resourcing & enabling your people in leading their friends & contacts to Christ

Discussion

How could we implement each of the above points in our church context?
What could be our strategy?
1. Sense of sentness
2. Expanded view of evangelism as a process
3. Expectation of evangelistic involvement with non-churched friends
4. Permission not to be super-involved in church activities to spend time with non-churched people
5. Skills for meaningful conversations with non-churched people
6. Facilitating redemptive relationships
7. Understanding of our strategy