Journey to Faith Evangelism as heartbeat not hiccough in the local rural church Session 2: Heartbeat not Hiccough

The Aim To help individual Christians and local churches recognise how they can make intentional evangelism an ongoing element of the life of their church To reflect on ways of including evangelism and witness as the heartbeat of the church’s life – not a bolt-on extra for extra-special people or occasions

Outline for the Session Steps in the Right Direction Seasons & Cycles Third Agents Putting it all Together Questions & Feedback Concluding Liturgy

Blessing Behaving Believing Belonging Befriending

Ann – from vicarious faith to owned faith Ben – from little or no faith/knowledge of God to becoming a disciple of Jesus Ann – from vicarious faith to owned faith

Two significant rural generalities A familiarity with the church and the Christian faith A lack of anonymity – hindering the embrace or exploration of faith

Evangelization with Harmony & Rhythm While evangelism focused at a specific time may bring a sharper clarity, it is more in keeping with the nature of rural communities that faith sharing (evangelization) is ongoing in harmony with the rhythms of people’s lives, the seasons and the turning of the year, and the features and nature of the local community. (Laurence Singlehurst)

Five I’s A way of intentional evangelism that offers people an opportunity to engage with the faith at various stages on that journey

Five steps to faith offered by the church… Instruction Induction Invitation Introduction Involvement

“Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honour to God because of Jesus Christ … Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)

strategy serendipity AND Making plans, setting goals, reviewing progress AND serendipity Allowing room for the unexpected (the Holy Spirit?)

Involvement Getting alongside people Working with all faiths and none Not hiding the faith but relaxed enough to allow it to shine out naturally Not getting stressed because you did not share Jesus Practical, hands on, caring

Introduction Jesus or the Christian faith is purposefully introduced Parents and Toddlers begins with prayer and the clergy make a regular visit Coffee morning with leaflets/speaker Any questions event

Invitation At an appropriate moment and in a sensitive manner people are given an invitation to respond to the call of God upon their lives. At the end of a series of sermons… At the end of a Christian nurture course… When the moment feels right by any individual

Induction Finding an appropriate way of marking the step that has been taken in acceptance of Christ. This may be small or large Baptism or confirmation Rededication Prayer Laying on of hands Receiving a book Invitation to join a group

Instruction Lifelong learning… Mentoring Confessor Spiritual director Discipleship course Cell group Home group Prayer group

Yearly cycle of community engagement KEY: GREEN – the world’s view of the year Purple - Church seasons Red Blobs – opportunities for engagement CHRISTMAS Dec Jan  New school year – begin Alpha or other initiation courses  Back to Church Sunday & Harvest – STEWARDSHIP  All Saints / Remembrance – LEGACIES  Christmas – hospitality and welcome  “Welcome to St Wilberts” course – meet the local teams  Candlemas – just completed tax returns – another STEWARDSHIP opportunity  Lent courses – deepening discipleship AND/OR Alpha (if not done in Sept)  Easter – baptisms and confirmations  Church check-up time – are we effective?  Summer term – serving the community  Go to summer festivals – New Wine, Soul Survivor, Greenbelt SPRING TERM Epiphany Nov Advent Feb   AUTUMN TERM  Lent   Oct Mar Yearly cycle of community engagement  EASTER   Apr Sep    Pentecost May Aug SUMMER HOLS Jul Jun SUMMER TERM

Third agents Particularizing the Gospel when local sensibilities make it difficult to do so – a very rural specific! But only when evidence of the evangelistic heartbeat of the local church

Putting it all Together 1 Look at your copy of the Rural Church Cycle In your groups of 4-5, discuss what things specific to your own church or community you might include in the yearly cycle Could some of these things be done in partnership with others? (Another local church or group? A ‘third agent’?)

The Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) All sorts of material, resources & stories to help the rural church: www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk Journey To Faith. All the course materials are freely available at: www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/publications-and-resources/rural-evangelism

Putting it all Together 2 1-year cycle: localised 5 steps: Involvement Introduction Invitation Induction Instruction CYCLES Befriending Belonging Believing Behaving Blessing EXPERIENCE 5 aspects: My personal story (Ben or Ann?) Our local or regional church story The Jesus’ story God’s ‘Big Story’ STORIES