APPROACHES TO EVANGELISM
Board of Missions - Cumberland Presbyterian Church

“The idea of an ‘evangelistic program’ would not evenhave made sense to the New Testament Christians. ‘Evangelism’ was the gospel message simply overflowing from their adventure with Christ and each other.”  - Keith Miller, The Scent of Love

“One of the most striking features in evangelism in the early church was the people who engaged in it. Communicating the faith was not regarded as the preserve of the very zealous or the officially designated evangelist. Evangelism was the prerogative of every church member... The ordinary people of the church saw it as their job: Christianity was supremely a lay movement, spread by informal missionaries.” – Michael Green, Evangelism Through the Local Church
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OUR APPROACH TO EVANGELISM IS....

            PERSONAL

• Based on a genuine, heartfelt experience of the saving grace of God in Christ
• Unique, just as our relationship with Christ is
• Spiritual development in prayer, scripture, worship, service

            FOUNDATIONAL

• Biblically sound
• Recognizing the need of all humanity for salvation
• Affirming God’s love and offer of salvation in Christ
• Responding to Great Commission as ‘ambassadors for Christ’
• Comprehensive - being, doing and saying the Word

            RELATIONAL

• Modeled after Christ’s care for the one, the few, the many
• Person-centered in relationships of mutual trust and care
• Concentrating on care-giving, leaving cure-giving to God
• Widening the ‘circle of concern’ beyond family and church

                       
            CONGREGATIONAL

• Intentionally equipping the whole church
• Identifying, supporting those with ‘gift’ of evangelism
• Prioritizing for faith-sharing
• Responding to community concerns and felt needs
• Providing multiple opportunities for witness and service
• Assessing ministries in light of outreach
• Making church facilities, worship and activities guest-friendly
• Following-up visitors
• Assimilating new members

MULTIPLE STYLES AND APPROACHES TO EVANGELISM
There are many ways to share the gospel in personal and congregational witness. Here are several ‘styles’ that have been identified by a variety of writers*. These approaches often overlap, and in fact provide a synergy when seen as complementary. They typically fit into three main categories, suggested by Church Growth analysts: Presence, Proclamation and Persuasion

• Confrontational – Personal witnessing, often one-on-one. This direct approach is used in such training programs as “Evangelism Explosion” and others.
  
• Conversational - Listening carefully, and sharing faith only when it seems natural to do so.
  
• Intellectual - A rational approach to discussing faith issues with those without a faith commitment, as typified by the writings of C.S. Lewis and other Christian apologist
  
• Testimonial - Personal accounts of ‘how God changed my life.
  
• Interpersonal - Particularly associated with small group ministry. Part of the DNA of such a small group is to welcome new people – distinct from other kinds of small support groups.
  
• Invitational - Encouraging individuals and the community to attend activities. Congregations should concentrate on becoming “inviting churches”; special programs and ministries for the non-churched community can be planned.
  
• Relational - Networking with friends, relatives, co-workers. Sometimes associated with ‘lifestyle evangelism,’ and/or  ‘mentoring’ seeking or questioning friends.
  
• Presentational - Concerts, evangelistic services and crusades, films/videos, drama, etc.
  
• Incarnational - Intentional acts of kindness, service to individuals and community.  This is sometimes referred to as ‘service evangelism’ or ‘holistic, need-oriented evangelism.’ Involvements such as Habitat For Humanity, food banks, social action and peace/justice ministries can offer opportunities for sharing faith.
  
• Worship evangelism - In both traditional worship services and more contemporary ‘seeker services’ there is opportunity to share the gospel and invite persons to accept Christ.
  
• Prayer evangelism - Intercessory groups of the church pray for community friends and those ministering to them. Some churches encourage individuals and couples to ‘prayer-walk’ their own neighborhoods regularly.
  
• Media evangelism - This ranges from the TV/radio Christian broadcast, to ‘video cafes,’ to newspaper advertising/articles, gospel tracts, direct mail, Yellow Pages and more.

FOUR STORIES FOR FAITH-SHARING
‘God created people because God loves stories.’ – Elie Wiesel

YOUR STORY WITH GOD

• You are the only ‘authority’ on your relationship with God
• Reflect on the difference Christ makes in your own life
• Put into words what’s difficult to explain

GOD’S ‘STORY

• The Biblical message – It’s not essential to be a Bible scholar, but become familiar with the primary message of God’s love, and human need of salvation [cf. John 3:16; Romans 3:23-24]
• Commit to spend time with the Word, listening to the Spirit

YOUR FRIEND’S STORY

• Cultivate the art of sensitive listening to the other person
• People don’t care what you know till they know that you care
• What difference could Christ make in that person’s life?

YOUR CHURCH’S STORY

• Church is not incidental to God’s call to people
• Know your church’s ministries and opportunities
• A experience of belonging and meaningful hands-on service can be powerfully attractive
• If you sense weaknesses in your church, pray and work to improve it (many people don’t invite friends to church because, deep down, they don’t believe they would enjoy it)

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