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The Missionary Heart of the Congregation

The Missionary Heart of the Congregation. Evangelism and Assimilation. The Evangelism Pyramid. There are three distinct types of congregational evangelism Different methods are applicable to these different types. Evangelism Pyramid. Persuasion. Proclamation. Presence.

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The Missionary Heart of the Congregation

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  1. The Missionary Heart of the Congregation Evangelism and Assimilation

  2. The Evangelism Pyramid • There are three distinct types of congregational evangelism • Different methods are applicable to these different types

  3. Evangelism Pyramid Persuasion Proclamation Presence

  4. The Evangelism Pyramid • We won’t talk much about “Presence Evangelism” • Brainstorm different things you can do to raise your congregation’s visibility in its community • We’re going to focus on Proclamation and then Persuasion (Assimilation)

  5. The Problem of “Proclamation” • What words and images come to mind when you hear the word “evangelist” or “evangelism”? • What words and images come to mind in the minds of the unchurched when they hear the words “evangelist” or evangelism?

  6. The Problem of “Proclamation” • Proclamation Evangelism should be… • 1. Authentic • 2. Natural • 3. Personal • 4. Verbal • And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Rom. 10:14)

  7. The Problem of “Proclamation” • 5. Process Oriented • 6. Team Oriented • 7. Service oriented (Puts others first)

  8. Benefits of Proclamation • Being Proclaimers brings great benefits • Adventure • Purpose • Fulfillment

  9. Benefits of Proclamation • Spiritual Growth • Need for Scripture • Better prayer life • Personal purity • Better church attendance • Doing God’s Work

  10. Being Yourself

  11. Six Styles of Proclamation Evangelism Based on Bill Hybels, et. al. “Becoming a Contagious Christian” ß

  12. Six Styles of Proclamation • We are not all the same • God likes it that way! • 1 Cor 12 • Ephesians 4

  13. Six Styles of Proclamation • At least six different evangelism styles are found in Scripture. Most people find they fit into one (or a combination of) these six styles.

  14. Six Styles of Proclamation • Confrontational Style • Key Verse: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 • Biblical Example: • Peter, Acts 2

  15. Six Styles of Proclamation • Characteristics • Confident • Assertive • Direct

  16. Six Styles of Proclamation • Contemporary Example • Billy Graham • Caution • Be sure to use tact when confronting people with the truth. • We don’t want to unnecessarily offend anyone!

  17. Six Styles of Proclamation • Intellectual • Key Verse: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5 • Biblical Example: • Paul, Acts 17

  18. Six Styles of Proclamation • Characteristics • Inquisitive • Analytical • Logical

  19. Six Styles of Proclamation • Contemporary Examples • Lee Stroebel • Paul Maier • Caution • Don’t substitute giving answers for giving the Gospel. • Be careful of being drawn into an argument.

  20. Six Styles of Proclamation • Testimonial • Key Verse: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 • Biblical Example: • Blind Man, John 9

  21. Six Styles of Proclamation • Characteristics • Clear communication • Good story-teller • Good listener • Vulnerable about life's ups and downs

  22. Six Styles of Proclamation • Contemporary Example • Corrie ten Boom • Caution • Beware of talking about yourself but not relating your experience to the other person’s life. • Listen to the other person and then connect your story to theirs.

  23. Six Styles of Proclamation • Interpersonal • Key Verse: To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Cor. 9:22 • Biblical Example • Matthew, Luke 5:29

  24. Six Styles of Proclamation • Invitational • Key Verse: "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’” Luke 14:23 • Biblical Example: • Woman at the well, John 4

  25. Six Styles of Proclamation • Contemporary Example • Me • Caution • Avoid valuing friendship over truth telling. • Don’t forget the goal: bring people to Christ

  26. Six Styles of Proclamation • George Barna: 25% of unchurched adults would attend a church service if a friend took the time to invite them. • Most effective way to get someone to join a specific church. Over 75% of people surveyed said they joined a specific church because someone invited them.

  27. Six Styles of Proclamation • Characteristics • Hospitable • Relational • Persuasive

  28. Six Styles of Proclamation • Contemporary Example • Friendship Sunday • Caution • Don’t let someone else do the talking for you. • Share your own story! • Don’t be upset if someone refuses you. • Help develop outreach events.

  29. Six Styles of Proclamation • Serving • Key Verse: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 • Biblical Example: • Dorcas, Acts 9 • Not serving instead of evangelism, but evangelism through service!

  30. Six Styles of Proclamation • Characteristics • Other-centered • Humble • Patient

  31. Six Styles of Proclamation • Contemporary Examples • Mother Teresa • Caution • Words are no substitute for actions; Actions are no substitute for words. • We need to verbally point to Jesus. • Be careful not to be overwhelmed with the needs of others.

  32. What Do We Proclaim?

  33. God • God is loving. • God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16b)

  34. God • God is holy (absolutely pure). • But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)

  35. God • God is just (a good and honest judge). • God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. (2 Thess 1:6)

  36. Us • We were created good, but we have all fallen short. • For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)

  37. Us • We deserve death—both physical and spiritual • For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23

  38. Us • We are spiritually helpless. • All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6

  39. Christ • Christ is God, who also became human. • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1, 14

  40. Christ • Christ died as our substitute. • He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

  41. Christ • Christ gives forgiveness as a gift. • For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ or Lord. Rom. 6:23

  42. Us (Again) • We must believe. • For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 • Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— John 1:12

  43. Us (Again) • Faith is a gift. • For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

  44. Us (Again) • When we believe, Christ changes us. • Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

  45. Other Models • Theology of Glory vs. the Theology of the Cross • “Do vs. Done” • Joyous Exchange • Bounced Check • The Bridge

  46. Other Models • The Roman Road • Romans 3:23 • Romans 6:23 • Romans 10:13

  47. Persuasion Evangelism We got some new members ––now what?

  48. Assimilation • This is a huge issue. • The LCMS is declining • Not just because no new members are being brought in the front door • But because we are losing more out the back door

  49. Assimilation • People are assimilated into a local congregation as they • Grow in the knowledge of the faith • Learn the language of the faith • Learn the structure and practices of the congregation • Take ownership in the congregation • Give of themselves to the congregation

  50. Assimilation • Characteristics of an assimilated member • Regular in worship • Regular in communion attendance • Regular in Bible study • Regular in giving

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