st
Evangelism in An Age of Evangelization

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What is evangelism?
◦ 1 st -4 th centuries – personal, individual sharing of a relationship with Jesus Christ
◦ 5 th -13 th centuries – virtually unheard of; the spread of faith was political/military
◦ 14 th -16 th centuries – institutional/empiric – invitation shifted from “Christ” to “Church”
The Evolution (& Devolution) of Evangelism


What is evangelism?
◦ 17 th -19 th centuries – factional/theological – shifted from “Church” to “church”
◦ 20 th century – personal/universal – “do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord &
Savior?”
 Church identity shifted from community to individual.
◦ 21 st century – institutional representation – evangelism = marketing
The Evolution (& Devolution) of Evangelism

18
14
Faith Sharing & Evangelism
3
34
With other
Christians
Church's responsibility
Unclear about
"Evangelism"
Lifestyle
With non-Christians
31
United Methodist Approaches to
Faith Sharing & Evangelism

21
Faith Sharing & Evangelism
5
Embarrassment/Fear
39
Lack of preparation/knowledge
Concern not to intrude/force beliefs
Indifference
35
United Methodist Obstacles to
Faith Sharing & Evangelism

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Confusion
◦ 83% of United Methodists equate evangelism with “inviting people to come to church”
◦ 57% of United Methodists have a “strongly negative” or “negative” emotional response to the word “evangelism” (only 12% have negative reactions to the term “faith sharing”
◦ Only 4% of UMs remember ever having been taught HOW to share their faith
Challenges to Modern-Day
Evangelism

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Ignorance
◦ 9% of United Methodists would like training and guidance in sharing their faith with others outside the church.
◦ 76% of United Methodists say they don’t think it is their responsibility to share their faith with others – faith is personal and private
Challenges to Modern-Day
Evangelism

Whose Responsibility?
8
35
Church (Leaders) responsibility
Pastor's responsibility
27
Evangelism
Committee/Team responsibility
Personal responsibility
30
Attitudes About Inviting People
To Church

When was the last time you invited someone to church?
3
12
Never
More than a year ago
48
Within the past year
37
Within the past month
Attitudes About Inviting People
To Church

When was the last time someone invited you to their church?
6
19
Never
16
More than a year ago
Within the past year
Within the past month
59
Attitudes About Inviting People
To Church

When was the last time you talked to a non-believer about your faith?
2
15
Never
More than a year ago
54
Within the past year
29
Within the past month

How often are you encouraged to share your faith by the leaders and teachers in your church?
Never
4 1
10 Occasionally
24
61
Regularly/Often
Monthly
Weekly

How does your church teach you to share your faith & engage in evangelism?
3 It doesn't
15
Workshops/Classes
15
17
50
Sunday School
In worship
Other

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Restrictive Evangelism – Invitation based on a construct of “who belongs/who doesn’t” belief system – strong division between “sacred” & “secular.”
Remedial Evangelism – Turn-or-Burn, escape-the-wrath-to-come, do-you-knowwhere-you’ll-spend-eternity invitation.
Revisional Evangelism – Invitation into a narrowly defined, pre-determined relationship with God/Jesus/the Church.
Five Facets of Modern Evangelism

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
Representational Evangelism – Relying on non-personal messaging – marketing, tracts, billboards, flyers, websites, newsletters, etc. to do our evangelism for us.
Relational Evangelism – Interpersonal invitation for mutual sharing and reflection grounded in relationship.
Five Facets of Modern Evangelism

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

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Restrictive Evangelism – Who we will allow in (Us)
Remedial Evangelism – Who we want to save (Us)
Revisional Evangelism – What we want people to know and believe (Us)
Representational Evangelism – How we can get people to join us (Us)
Relational Evangelism – Who we care enough about to introduce to God/Jesus
Five Foci of Modern Evangelism

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
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Invasive Evangelism – Dualistic
(“churched/unchurched,” “saints/sinners,” sacred/secular, “us/them”)
Evasive Evangelism – Indirect/come to us
(about programs, services, events, having needs met, coming “to church.”
Pervasive Evangelism – Direct and personal (journey in community, walking together, interactive, developmental)
Three Types of Modern
Evangelism

How are we sharing our UM faith?
8
20
Invasive
Evasive
Pervasive
72
Three Types of Modern
Evangelism

Alpha Omega
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
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Personal & relational
Incarnational
People trained, equipped, supported
Focus: building the body of Christ for the transformation of the world
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Impersonal & unidirectional
Institutional
People left to own devices
Focus: expanding the scope and reach of the church for the transformation of the world.

We want conversation, not a lecture
We want questions, not answers
We want safety and respect, not disapproval
We want stories, not
“Four Spiritual Laws
We want welcome and patience, not pressure and deadlines
We want guidelines, not rules

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
Focus on Faith
Sharing rather than
Evangelism
Teach people the art of conversation
Help people learn to tell their own story
Talk about talking about the faith

Build faith sharing into group processes
◦ “Where have you experienced the grace of God in your life this week?”
◦ “Where have you extended God’s grace to others this week?”
◦ “And how is it with your soul?”