| |
Eight Ways to Ignite Evangelism*
Dave Urbanski 10/13/2011
Pastors discuss the tools their churches are using to share the Gospel effectively
What are some of the most effective methods and resources God is using in churches today to reach people with the Gospel? To find out, we went to church leaders across the country. We sought their concrete evangelistic ideas that have been field-tested and proved effective in their contexts. We heard from smaller churches and larger churches everywhere from Alaska to North Carolina that have found evangelism success.
Alpha USA
A weekly, 10-session course that gives participants a chance to explore the meaning of life and spiritual questions in a “relaxed, friendly setting”.
Sharing Life Stories in West Des Moines, Iowa
Helping church members understand they can share their stories as a part of their normal relationships at work, home, school or neighborhood is a huge key to effective evangelism, says Caroline Boehnke-Becker, teaching pastor at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, Iowa, a congregation of more than 8,000 people.
“Street preachers just aren’t effective because they have no relationship with the people they’re preaching at,” she says—a stark contrast to a regular person who can “preach a sermon every single day” through outward actions. “Too often we forget others are watching us closely to see if our actions match our words.”
"The Alpha course helps learners open up about their own spiritual experiences, and they, in turn, can more readily enter into dialogue with others about spiritual topics. " Boehnke-Becker says. "The main points are for people to describe what life was like before a relationship with Jesus, how they came into a relationship with Jesus, and what life is like now." she says.
Seeing Transformation in Leawood, Kansas
Jeff Kirby, the minister of discipleship and men's ministry at the 7,000 attendee The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas has been offering the Alpha course for 16 years and now helps other churches implement it as well.
Kirby says he has witnessed significant transformation in the lives of participants.
"People who did not know Jesus two years ago (now) lead dynamic and effective ministries in the state and federal prisons, recovery ministries, country clubs and college bars." Kirby says.
How does he measure results? "Transformed lives, increasing numbers, building a sense of momentum," Kirby says, "and getting new believes into the ministry right away."
* Excerpts taken from Outreach Magazine November/December 2011 issue, "What's Working?" and Outreach Online, October 13, 2011, "8 Ways to Ignite Evangelism"
The lists was sorted alphabetically.
|
|
|
|
Register/Update a Course
Contact Us
