Spurred on by something I have to prepare for Sunday night looking at Planning for evangelism mobilising the church. I have just sat and read Peter Bolt's excellent Mission Minded book. It challenges us about whether we do maintenance ministry or mission ministry.
It contains a helpful little diagnostic table to use for churches examining the different activities we run and whether they are raising awareness of our church, creating initial contacts, pre-evangelism, evangelism and then in terms of edifying those converted; follow up, nurture and Training in Ministry. I have found it really helpful to read the book and am going to follow it up by using the diagnostic tool to analyse our evangelism.
It has fitted in very well with reading John 14-17 this week in preparation for preaching from John 16 on Sunday, as Jesus prepares to leave his disciples and ascend to his Father, he tells them not only that he is leaving, but that the world hates them (ch15) before sending into the world to proclaim him - the very thing the world will hate them for. However he doesn't send them alone he will send the Holy Spirit, the advocate, helper, counsellor to convict the world as they witness and to make Jesus a living reality for his followers.
Helpful in light of that challenge to then be thinking strategically about how we best do that as a church.
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