SOWING REAPING KEEPING A paradigm shift Four changes

A paradigm shift Four changes to shape a strategy for evangelism

Change 1 Evangelism is not so much about ‘telling the truth’ as the ‘outworking

Change 2 Evangelism is not so much about requiring people to ‘make a decision’

Change 3 Evangelism is not so much about making converts as about making disciples.

Change 4 Evangelism is not so much about a few gifted evangelists proclaiming ‘the

Evangelism is about: - the outworking of love - being involved in what the

Two important questions Question 1: Where on the scale are most people in England?

The Engel Scale: Sowing and Reaping Steps 1 - 3 “God is good and

An evangelistic strategy needs to include: Sowing 1 activities Sowing 2 activities Reaping activities

Having a Strategy Paul’s basic strategy is clear in Acts 1 Go first to

Examples: Sowing 1 activities ü Be a secret pastor ü Offer practical help ü

Examples: Sowing 2 activities ü ü ü ü Family ‘café style’ services Alpha /

Examples: Reaping activities ü ü Retreat (Quiet Day, large Christian event) Pointing people in

Keeping strategies What helps people stay? ü ü a sense of belonging, small groups

What next? Encourage leaders to read Sowing, Reaping, Keeping Share with the church members

Sowing One (Network) Children Teens Adults Baby Boomers Seniors Family Other Sowing One (Pioneer)

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SOWING, REAPING, KEEPING

A paradigm shift Four changes to shape a strategy for evangelism

Change 1 Evangelism is not so much about ‘telling the truth’ as the ‘outworking of love’.

Change 2 Evangelism is not so much about requiring people to ‘make a decision’ as being part of a process and what the Holy Spirit is doing in a person’s life over time.

Change 3 Evangelism is not so much about making converts as about making disciples.

Change 4 Evangelism is not so much about a few gifted evangelists proclaiming ‘the truth’ as about every Christian being good news in their neighbourhood.

Evangelism is about: - the outworking of love - being involved in what the Holy Spirit is doing over time (process) - making disciples - everyone being involved

Two important questions Question 1: Where on the scale are most people in England? At the lower end Question 2: Where on the scale has our evangelism been directed? At the higher end

The Engel Scale: Sowing and Reaping Steps 1 - 3 “God is good and Christians are OK. ” Steps 4 - 6 Basics of the gospel message Steps 7 - 10 Counting the cost and making a response

An evangelistic strategy needs to include: Sowing 1 activities Sowing 2 activities Reaping activities Keeping activities

Having a Strategy Paul’s basic strategy is clear in Acts 1 Go first to the Jews or God-fearers 2 Establish an evangelistic church plant Having an evangelism strategy is not unspiritual

Examples: Sowing 1 activities ü Be a secret pastor ü Offer practical help ü Hold a party for your neighbours (The Big Lunch) ü Family Fun Days ü Become a school governor ü Play sport for a local team

Examples: Sowing 2 activities ü ü ü ü Family ‘café style’ services Alpha / Journeys /Wellsprings Fair Trade / Christian Aid concert Prayer Spaces in schools Songs of Praise ‘Fresh Expressions’ eg Messy Church Make the most of Christmas, Easter etc

Examples: Reaping activities ü ü Retreat (Quiet Day, large Christian event) Pointing people in the right direction Alpha ALF Club

Keeping strategies What helps people stay? ü ü a sense of belonging, small groups KEY! a place to serve and grow healthy, open and trusting relationships leaders able to lead, motivate and equip

What next? Encourage leaders to read Sowing, Reaping, Keeping Share with the church members Use the training materials to involve the whole church