Reasonable Faith A New Lake Pointe Ministry Allen Hainline Aug 25, 2013 “… always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” I Peter 3:15

2 “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” I Peter 3:15 We’re failing to adequately obey this verse There is much more involved in making a defense for Christianity than previously More training is required!

The Problem of the Youth Exodus The Southern Baptist Council study found 88% of children raised in evangelical homes leave church at age 18 Why are they leaving? – ‘05 study asked “Why did you fall away from the faith in which you were raised?” Most common answer was intellectual skepticism (32%) “Some stuff was too far-fetched for me to believe in” “I think scientifically there is no proof” “There were too many questions that can’t be answered” Personal stories 3

Post-Christian America? Barna.org Post-Christian Post-Christian = met 60% (9 or more factors) Highly Post-Christian Highly Post-Christian = 80% (12 or more factors) 1. Don’t believe in God 2. ID as atheist or agnostic 3. Faith is not important in their life 4. Have not prayed (to God) in the last year 5. Have never made a commitment to Jesus 6. Believe that the Bible is inaccurate

Post-Christian America? Barna.org 7. have not donated money to a church 8. have not attended a Christian church 9. agree that Jesus committed sins 10. Don’t feel a responsibility to share their faith 11. Have not read the Bible (in last week) 12. Have not volunteered at church (in last week) 13. Have not attended Sunday School 14. Have not attended religious small group 15. Do not participate in a house church

Post-Christian America? Barna.org

“...we try to arrange things so that students who enter as bigoted, homophobic, religious fundamentalists will leave college with views more like our own... Richard Rorty

So we are going to go right on trying to discredit you in the eyes of your children, trying to strip your fundamentalist religious community of dignity, trying to make your views seem silly rather than discussable..” Richard Rorty

Need to learn to evangelize the unchurched!

What is all this telling us? We’re not shaping culture – it’s shaping us ! We need to be more proactive at: – Defending the Bible – Teaching the evidence for Christianity – Answering questions (before they’re even asked) – Inoculating our youth – Evangelizing the unchurched – Obeying: “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” 2 Cor 10:5 For more info, see Turek’s talk if you missed it:

Purpose of our Ministry Show that faith can be reasonable – Strengthens all believers – Trains and emboldens to evangelize Reverse the youth exodus trend! – Train and equip youth and parents Proclaim the gospel to the “NONE’s” – Need to learn to present evidence for God and the Bible Publically speak out (e.g. at universities) – An ambassador defends reputation of those represented – Engage the culture – don’t just be isolated! Learn how to winsomely defend Christianity Apologetics is early evangelism

Leadership Team Leaders: Allen Hainline, Dr. Steve Arze Staff Liaison - Rod Vestal Firewheel campus leader - Steve Lee College student leader – Garrett Engel Other churches – Ridgeview Church? We need other leaders to step up and help …

Strategy Get Training Train Believers Train Believers Outreach to Unbelievers

Upcoming High-Level Schedule Training opportunities Sept 6-7 Confident Christianity Conference Cedar Hill (JP, S. McDowell) Sept 14-Oct 12 Hot Topics: Dealing with Doubts & Sharing with Skeptics Sat 7 pm Weekly Reasonable Faith UTD meetings on Thu nights 8:30-9:30 Monthly Reasonable Faith Dallas meetings on Wed nights 6:30-8:00 Train believers Small groups – True U or “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” Help answer questions arising from Internet campus Feb 2014 Passion conference for year olds in Houston March 2014 Defending the Faith seminar for Singles’ Ministry Spring 2014 Worldview and Apologetics training for High School students at LP August 2014 Apologetics Instructor training with Dr. Turek in Charlotte, NC Outreach opportunities Pass out flyers and witness to students Sept 26, Oct 3 Intelligent Design discussion in Deep Ellum Sept 29 Attend UTD debates to talk to students afterwards Sept 27, Oct 4

Hot Topics at Lake Pointe Church: Dealing with Doubts and Sharing with Skeptics Sept 14 th – What are the common claims of skeptics? Allen – How do you deal with common objections? Sept 21 st – How do you share with a skeptic? Allen Hainline Sept 28 th – How can a good God allow evil? – Dr. Steve Arze Oct 5 th – How can we defend the Bible against attacks? Allen – Is what we have now what they wrote then? – How can we be sure we have the right books? – Fulfilled prophecy as evidence of inspiration Oct 12 th – Can we trust biblical claims about Jesus? Dr. Arze

articulate learning increases internalize

Conversational Surveys  Do you believe… r Do you believe…

How can you help? Need – Prayer coordinator – Administrator – Event coordinator – People to lead small groups for youth – Marketing help – develop card, brochure – Website help You all can …. – Start coming with us to training – Spread the word to others in the church With enough help we could start another campus ministry

Discussion Feedback Ideas for action Resources – see books etc. at the back … Signup sheets – contact info + provide info as to your interests (if you know yet)

Testimonies Mitch: Tue from Vietnam Garrett from LP CI Jason Williams