Arlington Baptist College Cross Cultural Ministry CM 3303

Conspiracy of Kindness By Steve Sjogren

The Power of Kindness Demonstrating the kindness of God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached Demonstrating the kindness of God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached

The Power of Kindness Demonstrating the kindness of God – Visible Reminders of the Holy Demonstrating the kindness of God – Visible Reminders of the Holy By Offering to do – Service Before Self By Offering to do – Service Before Self Some act of humble service – Excellence in all we do Some act of humble service – Excellence in all we do With no strings attached – truth in advertising – Integrity First With no strings attached – truth in advertising – Integrity First

The Power of Kindness People on the receiving end of simple acts of kindness come away with a more positive impression of Christianity than they previously had People on the receiving end of simple acts of kindness come away with a more positive impression of Christianity than they previously had With regular frequency, these deeds also open a door to deeper communication about the gospel With regular frequency, these deeds also open a door to deeper communication about the gospel

The Power of Kindness Servant Evangelsim = deeds of love + words of love + adequate time Servant Evangelsim = deeds of love + words of love + adequate time

The Power of Kindness American Christians tend to view evangelism as a one-shot deal – a let em have it while weve got their attention blast from both barrels of a shotgun loaded with Scripture American Christians tend to view evangelism as a one-shot deal – a let em have it while weve got their attention blast from both barrels of a shotgun loaded with Scripture

Why does Servant Evangelism Work? It is a process versus a project It is a process versus a project Doing acts of kindness is high grace Doing acts of kindness is high grace Evangelism hits home when it begins with acceptance Evangelism hits home when it begins with acceptance

Why Does Servant Evangelism Work? Evangelism must overcome a credibility gap Evangelism must overcome a credibility gap An experience of love opens a persons heart to a message of love An experience of love opens a persons heart to a message of love

Unlearning the E Word Christians typically approach evangelism in light of three possible choices: Christians typically approach evangelism in light of three possible choices: The Shark The Shark The Carp The Carp The Dolphin The Dolphin

Seeing the World Through Jesus Eyes Jesus saw through the eyes of the kingdom of God Jesus saw through the eyes of the kingdom of God Jesus saw through the eyes of Scripture Jesus saw through the eyes of Scripture Jesus saw through eyes of mercy Jesus saw through eyes of mercy Jesus saw people through the eyes of simplicity Jesus saw people through the eyes of simplicity

Seeing the World Through Jesus Eyes Jesus saw people through the eyes of integrity Jesus saw people through the eyes of integrity Jesus saw people through the eyes of his culture Jesus saw people through the eyes of his culture Jesus saw people through the eyes of reality Jesus saw people through the eyes of reality

Unlearning the E Word Christians and non-Christians have one thing in common – they both hate evangelism! Christians and non-Christians have one thing in common – they both hate evangelism!

Getting Beyond Ourselves Be with the people Be with the people Step out of your comfort zone Step out of your comfort zone Bring the kingdom Bring the kingdom Begin to care Begin to care Make yourself available Make yourself available

Getting Beyond Ourselves Manage your fear by going with a group Manage your fear by going with a group Realize that failure is a given Realize that failure is a given Sow liberally Sow liberally

Five Discoveries that Empower Evangelism People listen when I treat them like friends People listen when I treat them like friends When I serve, hearts are touched When I serve, hearts are touched As I serve, I redefine the perception of a Christian As I serve, I redefine the perception of a Christian Doing the message precedes telling the message Doing the message precedes telling the message Focus on planting not harvesting Focus on planting not harvesting

Servanthood Evangelism

Biblical Concept 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:25-28 Matthew 20:25-28

Servanthood Evangelism 1. Servanthood Evangelism is intentionally sharing Christ by modeling biblical servanthood. 1. Servanthood Evangelism is intentionally sharing Christ by modeling biblical servanthood. 2. Servanthood Evangelism is a combination of simple acts of kindness and intentional personal evangelism. 2. Servanthood Evangelism is a combination of simple acts of kindness and intentional personal evangelism. 3. What kindness is not – telling people what they want to hear so they will feel good about themselves. 3. What kindness is not – telling people what they want to hear so they will feel good about themselves.

Servanthood Evangelism 4. What kindness is – doing something to show the love of Jesus in a practical way. 4. What kindness is – doing something to show the love of Jesus in a practical way. 5. Servanthood evangelism is made of two parts: 5. Servanthood evangelism is made of two parts: Service (acts of kindness) Service (acts of kindness) Evangelism Evangelism

Servanthood Evangelism 6. Examples of Servanthood Evangelism: 6. Examples of Servanthood Evangelism: Handing out soft drinks in a towns business district Handing out soft drinks in a towns business district Going door-to-door in older communities with nine- volt batteries and checking residents smoke detectors Going door-to-door in older communities with nine- volt batteries and checking residents smoke detectors Absolutely free car wash – no donations Absolutely free car wash – no donations Taking light bulbs door to door and focusing on Jesus as the light of the world Taking light bulbs door to door and focusing on Jesus as the light of the world Taking several rolls of quarters to a laundry mat and sharing Christ Taking several rolls of quarters to a laundry mat and sharing Christ

Servanthood Evangelism 7. Servanthood Evangelism is an effective approach to intentionally share ones faith in todays contemporary culture – it is trans-cultural evangelism. 7. Servanthood Evangelism is an effective approach to intentionally share ones faith in todays contemporary culture – it is trans-cultural evangelism. 8. Matthew Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 8. Matthew Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism It is effective in reaching people in todays culture; it is easily contextualized without compromise. It is effective in reaching people in todays culture; it is easily contextualized without compromise. People are more likely to allow a person to share their faith when evangelism is combined with simple acts of servanthood. People are more likely to allow a person to share their faith when evangelism is combined with simple acts of servanthood. It is personal evangelism is a corporate setting. It is personal evangelism is a corporate setting.

Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism It is low-risk evangelism – it focuses on the Lord of the Harvest versus some ingenious method or approach. It is low-risk evangelism – it focuses on the Lord of the Harvest versus some ingenious method or approach. It should become an essential part of the churchs mission It should become an essential part of the churchs mission It is enjoyable and fun! It is enjoyable and fun!

Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism It involves everyone is evangelism and is a wonderful family approach to witnessing. It involves everyone is evangelism and is a wonderful family approach to witnessing. Servanthood Evangelism follows the model of Jesus. Servanthood Evangelism follows the model of Jesus. Servanthood Evangelism allows laypeople to use their creativity to initiate ministry opportunities. Servanthood Evangelism allows laypeople to use their creativity to initiate ministry opportunities.

Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism Servanthood Evangelism takes very few resources and can thus be done anywhere in any setting. Servanthood Evangelism takes very few resources and can thus be done anywhere in any setting. Servanthood Evangelism is win-some because it is not utilitarian in its approach – it does not use people. Servanthood Evangelism is win-some because it is not utilitarian in its approach – it does not use people.

Foundational Principles of Servanthood Evangelism Those participating must be intentionally evangelistic. Those participating must be intentionally evangelistic. Those participating must genuinely care about people. Those participating must genuinely care about people. Eventually, those participating need to be equipped as personal witnesses – it is the result not the front-end requirement. Eventually, those participating need to be equipped as personal witnesses – it is the result not the front-end requirement.

How To Begin Servanthood Evangelism S – Seek the Fathers Power and Presence S – Seek the Fathers Power and Presence E – Enlist the People E – Enlist the People R – Resource R – Resource V – Vacate the Church and get involved in the local community V – Vacate the Church and get involved in the local community E – Evaluate E – Evaluate

Final Issues Servanthood Evangelism is not an end unto itself. Servanthood Evangelism is not an end unto itself. Servanthood Evangelism is a process, not a program. Servanthood Evangelism is a process, not a program.

Servanthood Evangelism Servanthood evangelism has the potential of revolutionizing the ministry of any local congregation, student ministry, etc. If properly done on an intentional basis it will enhance the evangelistic ministries that already exist. The key issue is the corporate development of a servant mentality among Gods people. Servanthood evangelism has the potential of revolutionizing the ministry of any local congregation, student ministry, etc. If properly done on an intentional basis it will enhance the evangelistic ministries that already exist. The key issue is the corporate development of a servant mentality among Gods people.