I. Definition of Terms: Evangelism Strategy

Transcription

1 I. Definition of Terms: Evangelism Strategy A strategy is an attempt to anticipate the future God wants us to bring about. It thus gives us an overall sense of direction and helps to generate cohesiveness by forcing us to seek the mind and will of God.

2 II. The New Testament Offices A. Apostles: One sent to lay a foundation for the expansion of the church with a specific, God-given assignment. 1. He must be a person who have seen Jesus Christ the Lord. (Ac.1: 21-22, 1 Cor. 9: 1-7, 2 Cor. 12: 1-10) 2. God must have used him to do miracles, signs, and wonders in his hands. (2 Cor. 12: 11-12) 3. He has a calling of laying a foundation for the local and global church. (2 Cor. 13: 10, 1 Cor. 3: 10-15)

3 The New Testament Offices: 4. He must be involved in multiple church planting and growth. 5. He must be a person of integrity and faithfulness. 6. He must be a live testimony in his personal and family life in his daily walk- Walking the talk! 7. He must be genuine, original, and sincere in all his deliberations.

4 The New Testament Offices: B. Prophets: One who shares and speaks a specific word from God to a distinct person or people. C. Evangelists: Passionate about share the Good News with others. D. Shepherds: Overwhelming concern for continuing care of a specific community.

5 The New Testament Offices: E. Teachers: Responsible for progressive growth in understanding & application of the truth. Start and Go (Apostles & Prophets) Stay & Grow (Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers)

6 III. The Evangelistic Mandate: First, evangelism is the first priority of the Church s ministry in the World. Second, evangelism is essentially witness ( marturium to bear a witness ) ; it is beyond evanglizesthai to proclaim the gospel. Third, Witness is a function of the church as a community.

7 The Evangelistic Mandate: Presence Evangelism; Proclamation of the gospel; Persuasion to the good news; and Propagation/ Reproduction makes the Church a dynamic and living organism!

8 The Evangelistic Mandate: Salt, Light, and Sheep among Wolves! Salt suggests the Church s role of preservation. As light Church is a means of revelation to mankind. Finally, the Church lives as a sheep among wolves. This suggests the demonstration in the flesh of the reality of the Kingdom.

9 IV. The Prophetic Role of The Church: First, The Church is prophetic when it creates and sustains a reconciled and reconciling community of believers. ( 2Cor. 5:16-21, col. 1:21-23, Phil. 2:1-11, Eph. 2:1-22) Second, The Church is prophetic when it recognizes and identifies the true enemy. (Matt. 10 : 28, Lk. 12: 4-5, Eph. 6:12, Rom. 8: 38-39, 1Cor. 15: 26, Rev. 12: 9, 20: 2, 14)

10 The Prophetic Role of The Church: Third, The Church is prophetic when it renounces the World s definition and practice of power. (Matt. 20: 20-28, 23: 1-12, Mk. 9: 35-37, Lk. 9: 46-48, 22: 24-27, Jn. 13:12-17, Phil. 2: 1-11,1Cor. 1: 18-31) Fourth, The Church is prophetic when it works for justice in society. (Psa. 82: 1-4, Amos 5: 21-24, Lk. 3: 10-14, 4: 18-21, Matt. 11: 4-6, Eph. 5: 11)

11 V. Patterns: Church Growth life Cycle First, Telling the good news. (Matt. 28: 18-20) Second, Multiplying Christian congregations. Normal church growth comes by the divisions of cells, not by the unlimited expansion of existing cells. It comes by multiplication of congregations of believers!

12 Patterns: Church Growth life Cycle Third, Building Christian community. (Eph. 4: 13) Fourth, Exercising spiritual gifts.

13 Patterns: Questions to be Considered Is growth by division possible in all situations? Is growth by division wise in areas where many Christian churches already exist? Does not division usually occur for carnal rather than spiritual reasons?

14 Patterns: Questions to be Considered Doesn t the multiplication of small groups and church communities increase the potential for going astray doctrinally? Where does the church find sufficient leadership when new congregations are formed? Doesn t growth by division weaken the mother church?

15 III. Five-Point Calvinism - TULIP Total depravity (no one is capable of saving himself); Unconditional election (God s choosing of the saved isn t conditioned by anything in them); Limited atonement (Christ s atonement is adequate to save all people but it is efficient for God s elect only!);

16 III. Five Point Calvinism - TULIP Irresistible grace (the Sovereignly given gift of faith cannot be rejected by the elect); Perseverance of the saints (those who are regenerated and justified will persevere in the faith). -John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, trans. by Henry Beveridge, (Peabody, Massachusetts : Hendrickson publishers, 2008), xv.

17 IV. Universal Salvation: Universal salvation may be related to the perception of a problem of Hell, standing opposed to ideas such as everlasting torment in Hell, but may also include a period of finite punishment similar to a state of purgatory. Believers in universal reconciliation may support the view that while there may be a real "Hell" of some kind, it is neither a place of endless suffering nor a place where the spirits of human beings are ultimately 'annihilated' after enduring the just amount of Assayehegn divine Berhe Gebreselassie, retribution.

18 IV. Universal Salvation: What is Universalism? Universalism is the belief that finally no human being will be lost; all shall be saved. This view became quite popular in the 19th century although we can historically trace it back to the 3rd century Greek philosopher and theologian Origen. This is a repetition of an old heresy of universalism, centuries ago advocated by Origen (AD ) who went further that even Satan would eventually be redeemed.

19 IV. Universal Salvation: Adamantly defending this pathetic position John Mbiti (1971:180, The New Testament eschatology in an African background) writes that: One finds it almost impossible to imagine that their punishment will last for all eternity in the same way that Redemption is for eternity. For only the presence of God has this quality of eternity.... Such love of the Father must ultimately win over even the most hopeless case of sinners, and bring home the lost sheep to join the one great flock (Luke 15:4-6; John 10:16).

20 IV. Universal Salvation: Universalism is the belief that everyone will be saved. There are many people today who hold to universal salvation and believe that all people eventually end up in heaven. Perhaps it is the thought of men and women living a life of eternal torment in hell that causes some to reject the teaching of Scripture on this issue.

21 IV. Universal Salvation: For some it is an over-emphasis on the love and compassion of God and the neglect of the righteousness and justice of God that leads them to believe God will have mercy on every living soul. But the Scriptures do teach that some people will spend eternity in hell. (Matt. 25: 41, 46, Mk.9: 44)

22 II. Focus on the few, while serving the crowd: The Crowd (Mark 6: 33-44; 8: 1-21) The Seventy-two (Luke 10: 1-20) The Twelve Disciples (Mark 3: 14; 6: 7-11) The Four Disciples (Mark 13: 3) The Three (Mark 9: 2-13; 5: 37-43; and Matthew 17: 1) The One Disciple (Mark 5: 21-24); 10: 17-22; John 3: 1-21; John 4: 4-46)

23 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions Selection: People were His method. His concern was not with the programs, but with men whom the multitudes would follow. They were Unlearned and ignorant (Acts 4: 13); but Jesus saw in them the potential to be leaders in the Kingdom of God.

24 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions He concentrated on the few, and yet He did not neglect serving the crowd. Because His strategy was not to impress the crowd, but to usher the Kingdom.

25 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions/ Evangelism Association: He stayed with them. Knowledge was gained by association before it was understood by explanation. He exhibited that Godliness and character-formation precedes any activity.

26 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions/ Evangelism Consecration: He required obedience. He exhibited servant-hood leadership in His life and ministry. They were not required to be smart, but loyal.

27 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions/ Evangelism Impartation: He gave Himself. He showed them the deep compulsion of His own soul aflame with the love of God for the lost World. Passion was the key for motivation in His life and ministry. He taught them that it was only the Spirit of God that enabled one to carry on the redemptive mission of evangelism.

28 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions/ Evangelism Demonstration: He showed them how to live. His spiritual influence as a deliberate course of His main strategy. He used point-of-contacts as an entry point for evangelism (John 3: 1-13; John 4: 1-42)

29 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions/ Evangelism Delegation: He assigned them to work. He gave them specific tasks to carry on (e.g., getting food, sending them two by twos, demonstration of power over the demons, etc.) He also gave specific instruction about evangelistic ministry (Matthew 10: 1ff) He demonstrated them to wait until the empowerment of the Holy Spirit comes (Luke 24: 49, Acts 1: 8).

30 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions/ Evangelism Supervision: He kept check on them. Jesus made it a point to hear their progress reports, without being swayed by the report. He checked the actions and reactions of His disciples as they faced various difficulties. He supervised them whether they kept their focus.

31 III. The Incarnation of Christ: The model for our Missions/ Evangelism Reproduction: He expected them to reproduce His likeness. Multiplication of life and ministry was His method and ultimate goal of his ministry. The imperative of the Great Commission is Make disciples of every nation. The message and the messenger is Jesus Christ Himself.

32 IV. Planning for the Harvest Multiplying the harvest: thirty-fold, sixty-fold, one hundred-fold (Matt. 13: 1-23) Prepare, sow, cultivate, reap, and multiply! (John 4: 35)

33 IV. Planning for the Harvest Define the mission: Every farmer faces the question of what crop to plant in which field. Likewise, the evangelist must consider where the gospel needs to be sown. Each field requires a different labor and set of costs.

34 IV. Planning for the Harvest Describe the people: Every field is made up of the soil of people, which is different in nature. The fertility levels are not the same. The evangelist needs to understand the community that he/she is trying to reach: their demography, economy, worldview, politics, religious stance, etc. All these affect how they respond to the Kingdom of God.

35 IV. Planning for the Harvest Describe the force for evangelism: Who is to work the field? There is much to be done: cleaning, tilling, fertilizing, sowing, cultivating, irrigating, reaping, processing, storing, and distributing the fruits of the labor. The evangelist needs to consider all the range of skills, gifts, and help needed to bring about the fullest harvest possible. It is best to avoid forming a community around one person, a specific curriculum, or a task. When this happens, the focus is directed away from God; and a personality cult being to develop!

36 IV. Planning for the Harvest Examine means and methods: Tools can be very simple or enormously complex, inexpensive or almost priceless. Evangelistic tools and methods vary greatly. Some are simple as distributing Bibles and praying for the reader to come to the truth. Others might need deeper prayer, planning, mobilizing, developing leaders for church planting.

37 IV. Planning for the Harvest Define an approach: All these elements the crop desired, the soil available, the labor mobilized, and the tools utilized are brought in an integrated manner. An approach or strategy is the glue that holds them together. Part of the strategy has to do with what will not be done.

38 IV. Planning for the Harvest Anticipate an outcome: Every wise farmer plans for what must be done when the crop is harvested. Every wise evangelist must also plan for the result: discipleship programs, training sessions, ministry orientations, and leadership development.

39 IV. Planning for the Harvest Decide the role of key people: Evangelization requires more than evangelists in the field: church planters, team leaders, cross-cultural missionaries, financial resources, etc. Make plans for the next harvest learning from past mistakes: describe the goal, the situation, choose methods, sequence of events, cultivate resources, analyze resources, and implement/act accordingly.

40 IV. Planning for the Harvest Evaluate your evangelistic ministry: The feedback we get helps us to adjust towards effectiveness and efficient approaches. Develop a Movement: Multiplying disciples, multiplying leaders, multiplying churches, and multiplying movements!

41 V. D and the NAChurch: From Dynamic to Organic Church Love your God, love others, and make disciples as you go Divine Truth (Encounter); Nurturing Relationships (Building a family of God based on love relationship with Jesus); and Apostolic mission (The Church should be a sent agency, not a sending agency.

42 V. D and the NAChurch: From Dynamic to Organic Church Dynamics of Organic Churches: Transformational experience, Incarnational lifestyle, Relational community, Focus on Missions focus, Functional structure, and Continual multiplication.

43 V. D and the NAChurch: From Dynamic to Organic Church Love your God, love others, and make disciples as you go The Gift of Presence should lead to disciple making, mentoring, and leadership development. Everything in the Kingdom of God is about relationships: loving God and loving others. Church Planting is also bound to this fact.

44 V. D and the NAChurch: From Dynamic to Organic Church Love your God, love others, and make disciples as you go Multiplication of churches should be both spontaneous and intentional. Where it is spontaneous, leaders are being raised out of the harvest. Where it is intentional, there is planning and apprenticing with core leaders. It is paramount to pursue both spontaneous and intentional multiplication.

45 VI. Four Types of Possible Outcomes Anticipated Positive Outcomes: are what we usually call goals. They are the results we intend and plan. Anticipated Negative Outcomes: are what we usually call problems; those which we anticipate we can plan to counteract or counterbalance.

46 VI. Four Types of Possible Outcomes Unanticipated Positive Outcomes: are what we usually call pleasant surprises. If we succeed too well, we may suddenly be swamped with no plan to handle the results. Unanticipated Negative Outcomes: are headaches or unpleasant surprises. They are the sorts of problems that can take 80% of our energies to cope with them. Because they are unanticipated we are not prepared for them, nor Is the church prepared for them.

47 VII. Evaluation Evaluating Goals: Did we reach the desired goals? Why was it accomplished? If we did not reach our goals, why did we not? Were the goals unrealistic? Was the goal inappropriate? Did we abandon it? What can we learn because of not reaching the goal? If we did reach the goal, did it have the desired results? Are there some goals that should have been dropped? How can we utilize this approach and share it with others or avoid it in the future?

48 VII. Evaluation Evaluating Means and Methods: Were the means and methods effective? Did we use them in a timely manner? Did they produce unexpected outcomes, goals we did not aim at accomplishing? Were we manipulative to the target group?

49 VII. Evaluation Evaluating Resources: Did we use the amount of time we said we would? Did we wisely use the human and financial resources in a manner which consistent with the Kingdom of God? What was their strengths and weaknesses? Did we have a good stewardship time, money, and energy? Evaluating Personal Performance: When evaluating personal performance, focus on issues and not on personalities.

50 VIII. The Characteristics of Healthy Churches God s Empowering Presence God-Exalting Worship Spiritual Disciplines and Passionate Spirituality Learning and Growing Community A Commitment to Loving and Caring Relationships Servant-hood Leadership Empowering Leadership Mission-Minded Community

51 VIII. The Characteristics of Healthy Churches Wise Administration and Accountability Networking with the Body of Christ Stewardship and Generosity Harmonious Home Bible Study Groups Functional Structures Godly Vision: -Has a sense of being right for the times; Promotes faith rather than fear; Motivates people to action; Requires risk-taking; and Glorifies God, not people.

52 IX. Humility and Church Planting: First, there is the humility to acknowledge to the problem, which culture presents, and not to avoid or over-simplify it. Second, there is the humility to take the trouble to understand and appreciate the culture of those to whom we go. Third, there is the humility to begin our communication where people actually are and not where we would like them to be.

53 IX. Humility and Church Planting: Fourth, there is the humility to recognize that even the most gifted, dedicated and experienced missionary can seldom communicate the gospel in another language or culture as effectively as a trained local Christian. Fifthly, there is the humility to trust in the Holy Spirit of God, who is always the chief communicator, who alone opens the eyes of the blind and brings people to new birth. Without His witness, ours is futile!