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Transforming Presence: Evangelising Effectively Preparing for Mission Weekends. We want every parish/benefice in the diocese to. … put on a Mission Weekend as part of our centenary celebrations …try to do one thing in evangelism it has never done before
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Transforming Presence: Evangelising EffectivelyPreparing for Mission Weekends
We want every parish/benefice in the diocese to... • …put on a Mission Weekend as part of our centenary celebrations • …try to do one thing in evangelism it has never done before • …have in place a small team of people who have had some training and experience in evangelism
Purpose • A Mission Weekend is a time set aside for specific events that share the gospel with people on the fringe or outside the church. It is set in the context of understanding how people grow and develop in faith, and of how we become a missionary church,renewing our faith as we share it with others
Growth Spiral Contact Growth Nurture Commitment Church membership
Putting people first How can we serve the people with whom we already have contact in such a way as to make the gospel intriguing, challenging and appealing
Planning evangelistic events • Contacts? • Issues? • Gospel? • Event? • Next step?
Evangelistic events • Express good news • Experience Christian community • Opportunity to take the next step
Questions to keep in mind • What event will people actually attend? • How does the event deal with their issues and interests? • Have you invited them to help you plan it? • How is the gospel being presented?
Two common pitfalls • Social events • Church services
Helping people take the next step • Response cards • A personal visit • Nurture course e.g. Alpha, Christianity Explored, Emmaus, Pilgrim or Start • A course that relates to the issue e.g. parenting course • Another event
Three golden rules • Let the event fit the people • Is there a next step in place? • Small is beautiful
Other issues • Pray • Pay • Name • Help and training is available • Team
Co-ordinating team • Prayer • Hospitality • Events • Publicity • Follow up
2014 is the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War • Many opportunities to engage with our communities • 4th August National memorial. It is hoped that every church will be open for prayer and for people to bring their memories • Remembrance next year will be more significant than ever
What next? • Get praying • Start planning • Other training opportunities • Ask for help • Prayer partners • Let us know what you’re doing