G’day i’m writing a paper and i’m interetsed to here what people think.

Can you answer 2 questions?

1. What is evangelism

2. What does that look like on the ground? Practically how do you or we do that?

What do you think?

Sorry Mitchell, you’ve come to the wrong house… Sydney Anglicans don’t go much for evangelism these days - not sure if there’s actually anyone out there who could help you with this one....

;-P

Hey Mitchell,

I’ve been thinking about this for a while - I haven’t heard this particular viewpoint on evangelism expressed by anyone else so these are my own thoughts - take them with a grain of salt ;)

When Moses spoke to “all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness” (Deut 1:1) he could not have possibly been heard personally by all of the people. Have you ever tried to speak to 100,000+ people without a microphone? What would have happened is that people would have been set up through the crowds as “repeaters” - to listen to Moses talk (or one of the other repeaters) and then repeat what they had heard. I think evangelism is a bit like this.

The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

John 10:3-4

Jesus says that when his sheep hear his voice, they know him and will follow him. When we faithfully “repeat” the Word of God to the world, those who are his will recognise his voice. I think this is what evangelism is.

Im not really into this whole “selling” idea of evangelism.

1. What is evangelism

Proclaiming the gospel

2. What does that look like on the ground? Practically how do you or we do that?

There are many many ways. My church, for example, is holding a mission to our suburb in December. We will run seminars, knock on doors - that sort of thing.

The goal of our contact with the community is to get them into an “Introducing God” course, where the gospel is explained and proclaimed.

what is evangelistic preaching?

It seems to me that some Christians do not consider preaching as evangelism unless it is done in a certain stylised way.

I think every sermon should be evangelistic, but do not mean that every sermon must cover the same ground.

We should take our Lord Jesus as an example. His preaching has great variety, is addressed to the needs of his audience, but is uncompromising in confronting them with their need to change.

G’day Craig S.

I think evangelism does / must contain the preaching of the gospel, I think though that evangelism is more then preaching the gospel.

I believe that evangelism is to preach the gospel in a way that those you are preaching to will hear and be willing to respond to the message offered to them.

Every sunday the gospel is preached around the world, yet that is not evangelism.

I believe that true evangelism contains the following as a must.

1. A burning prayerful recognisance of the state of the lost by those evangelising.

2. A a prayerful and practical heart of mercy towards the lost to reach out to them in a way that you can build bridges with them.

3. Being able to build a bridge with that person for them to invite you to tell them more about Christ.

4. Telling the person about Christ in such a way that they will hear what you are saying that causes Christ to be relevant to them.

5. Follow up with them in their discipleship.

As Peter Jensen said on the first night of synod, preaching the word might mean two people having a yak over the back fence and one telling the other about Jesus.

It might mean two or more having a coffee with one person telling the other their personal story of Christ working in their life, giving the other person a chance to respond to him.

What it doesn’t mean is pulpiteering though that can be included in it.

Hope this helps Mitchell.

craig b

As Peter Jensen said on the first night of synod, preaching the word might mean two people having a yak over the back fence and one telling the other about Jesus.

I agree 100%

Preach the Gospel always. When necessary, use words. St. Francis of Assissi

Another way to evangelise. The one we often forget about.
It aint just words folks.
Craig’s summary includes prayer, support, friendship, giving and living.

Them’s the ticket!

I can recall hearing Michael Green defining evangelism as ‘one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread’.

I think evangelism is many things:

-At a basic level; it is the communication of a specific message-yes: words!

-BUT, this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Relationships are the context in which most become Christians. Without a context, the words have no meaning. I can draw on my own story for this: my experience of Christian community as a 13 year-old from a non-Christian home was what won me over. I ticked the box! The understanding followed and was crystallized by life experience, and the Holy Spirit I guess.

-this interplay between words and relationships is what I try and think about as I pray for, and try to reach, those whom I love with the gospel (the words bit).

I’m refreshed by John Dickson’s ideas about evangelism. I think our current day is one in which we need to earn the right to speak.