Prepared by Kwasi Kena GBOD Evangelism Basics for the 21 st Century (Learning Section) Evangelism Basics for the 21 st Century (Learning Section)

Regular Church Optional Icebreaker Opening: Use the YouTube Clip “Training Fleas” (Play Station ad) Available at: QgmQM

Types of Church Growth Biological – church members come from existing families in the church existing families in the church

Types of Church Growth Transfer – members come from other Transfer – members come from other churches churches

Types of Church Growth Conversion – people become new Conversion – people become new Christians and join the church

Types of Church Growth Which type of growth occurs most in your church? 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. --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 --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 Kerussein -- 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?

Kerussein -- to Proclaim What do we proclaim?

Kerussein --to Proclaim Deed Word

Transforming Evangelism The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith 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

Prepared by Kwasi Kena GBOD Evangelism Basics for the 21 st Century (Leading Section)

Pivotal Questions What is church? What is church for?

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 Who “Does” Evangelism?

Three Exercises Three Exercises

Exercise #1 Paying the Rent 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 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 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 Exercise #2 Faith Sharing in 3 Chapters

Faith Sharing in 3 Chapters 1. My life before Christ 2. How I met Christ 3. My life since meeting Christ 1. Growing up in a Christian environment 2. When I affirmed the faith myself 3. My life since affirming the faith

Faith Sharing in 3 Chapters

Trinity of Relationships God God Church Members People Outside Church Church Members People Outside Church

Exercise #3 Ministry in Focus 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 TimeVisitors

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

Close Session in Prayer