1. Evangelism in Difficult Times
David Schoen
Congregational Vitality and Discipleship
Local Church Ministries
United Church of Christ

2. Evangelism in the 21st Century Missional, Relational & Conversational
Missional in purpose
Relational in outreach
Conversational in witness

3. Missional in Purpose Missional congregations and disciples
Find joy not in being served but in serving
reach out beyond themselves
Nurture new disciples and churches

4. Missional Evangelism Buzz Marketing Evangelism
One beggar telling another where there is food
Come and See! One Spiritual Seeker telling another where they found welcome.

5. Come and See
What do you think when you hear the word….
EVANGELISM ?

6. Celtic Evangelism
In The Celtic Way of Evangelism: How Christianity Can Reach the West Again, George Hunter writes about the difference between what he describes as the evangelism approach in Roman and Celtic Christianity.
Celtic Christianity is the tradition of mission and ministry that was first developed by St. Patrick in Ireland and then journeyed into Scotland. Roman Christianity is the tradition of mission and ministry that was practiced by missionaries from Rome that sought to Christianize the people of England.

7. Celtic Evangelism Roman Model Celtic Model Presentation Fellowship
Decision Ministry and Conversation
Fellowship Belief, Invitation to Commitment
The Roman model seems very logical to us because most American evangelicals are scripted by it! It is the evangelism of revival, door knockers and brochures that ask where we are going to spend eternity. It is the evangelism that we usually respond negatively to. We explain the gospel, they accept Christ, we welcome them into the church! Presentation, Decision, Assimilation.
In contrast, this is the Celtic model for outreach: (1) you first establish community with people, or bring them into the fellowship of your community of faith. (2) within the embrace of community, you engage in conversation, ministry, prayer and worship. (3) As people discover their gifts and faith, you invite them to commit to discipleship.

8. Belonging and Believing
Christianity is more caught
than taught!
As Professor Robin Gill observes, belonging comes before believing. For this reason, evangelism is now about helping people to belong so that they can believe.
Reflect on your own experience, came to believe in community of faith
Helping people belong so that they may believe. Stillspeaking experience reminded us that we have a mission and message. Reaching out over the abyss of alienation to the spiritually homeless those alienated from god and god’s people with a message of God’s extravagant welcome. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome.

9. Missional in Purpose Relational in Outreach
Ministry in 21st Century is Relational
Build community with those outside the church
Get to know the unchurched people and culture

10. the world has changed 60 – 80 % unchurched 80 % of baby boomers left
80 % of youth have negative view of church
Culture does not support church

11. Relational in Outreach
Bridge the gap by building relationships
The days of waiting for people to come to church to welcome them are over.
Instead of waiting inside, we go outside

12. Go Forth into the World
Stirring a 'Gumbo' Theology, Reverend Otis Moss III speaks on Church Vitality and Discipleship in a Hip Hop World

13. Missional Outreach
Go to where the unchurched are: Starbucks, Borders Parks, Gyms
“I stopped wondering about how to draw younger folks into my church and started focusing on how to draw my congregation out of its building and into relationship with the world outside its doors.”

14. Go Forth…. Into the Virtual World.
In Asia, Europe and North America—an entire generation has experienced the Internet as a means for maintaining relationships with family and friends.
The Internet is a lifeline for users whose mobility is limited by disability, chronic illness or advanced age.
The Internet is where we can find and engage seekers.

15. Go Forth…. Into the Virtual World.
Web Ministry Resources
UCC Web University
Web tips on line
A very useful resource is the book "Reaching Out in a Networked World: Expressing Your Congregation's Heart and Soul" by Lynne M. Baab (The Alban Institute). "Websites that Work",

16. Relational in Outreach Conversational in Witness
Conversational ministry is central to the future of the church in 21st Century
Count conversations, not conversions
Brian McLaren, More Ready than You Think

17. Conversational Ministry
The postmodern world calls for disciples who reach out to a world that is hungering for good conversation about faith, values, hope, meaning, purpose, goodness, beauty, truth, life after death, life before death and God. Engaging in everyday faith conversations will not only help others become Christians, it will help us become better Christians, who know and love the still speaking God more than ever.

18. Conversational Ministry
A world of spiritual seekers wants to talk.
We are the ones who are not talking!
Vital churches are communities in which the pastor and members have invited 5 to 15 new folks to their community of faith in the past six months.

19. “Tricking” the church into Evangelism – Taking it back!
Are you Ready to Talk?
“Tricking” the church into Evangelism – Taking it back!
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20. Are You Ready to Talk? Why do you love your church?
What impact has believing in God and following Jesus made in your life?
What Bible words have made a difference in your life?
Let’s practice
Pastor had helped congregation simply to ask, do have a church you go to
Are you ready to talk
Why do you love your church
What difference has knowing god, christ, and the holy spirit made in your life
No theological words
Richard peace, practice with unchurched

21. Through you and me! God is still speaking, Let’s practice
Pastor had helped congregation simply to ask, do have a church you go to
Are you ready to talk
Why do you love your church
What difference has knowing god, christ, and the holy spirit made in your life
No theological words
Richard peace, practice with unchurched

22. Resources for Missional Congregations
Ready, Set, Grow Resources on ucc.org/vitality
Vital-o-Meter
Discovering your Congregation’s Strengths
Discerning your Congregation’s Mission
“It’s a Whole New World” Anthony Robertson
Vitality Interviews
Vitality Powerpoint - Retreat Resources

23. Evangelism in the 21st Century Go Forth into the World!
Missional in purpose
Relational in outreach
Conversational in witness