Practice fruitful evangelism
"Evangelism is so far out of my comfort zone I'm not really sure how to begin. But I do see we need it now more than ever."
An experienced church leader
Start where you are and be prepared to ask for help
Admit struggles and fears but be open to learning and keep praying! Seek encouragement from the Mission Team, licensed evangelists, or other churches.
Rethinking Evangelism
Implement simple accessible patterns that work in your context:
| No longer : | Instead: |
| Targeting unwilling strangers | Interested friends and contacts |
| Forcing your agenda | Listening and asking questions |
| One ‘right way’ to do it | Multiple gentle and personal styles |
| I am the expert (and need to know all the answers) | We are both learners on a journey |
| Motivated by fear or expectation | Motivated out of love to see the other thrive |
Seek Seekers among your existing contacts
‘The work of evangelism is not to try to persuade everyone, but to search for seekers’ From Leading Your Church Into Growth
‘I am a seeker, and you are a teacher, you are a reacher, so reach down, reach out and lead me, guide me and keep me in the shelter of your care’
Dolly Parton
Talking Jesus research shows that 20% of people are interested in talking about the possibility of faith. Complete the Mapping Your Galilee exercise from Leading Your Church Into Growth.
Run An Enquirers Course
Research by Leading Your Church Into Growth demonstrated that churches which regularly run Enquirers Courses see new people joining their church, even when just a few people attend the course. Click here to find out more.
Useful Links:
Sharing Faith – a free to download course from Peterborough Diocese