National Evangelism Workshop - Portland 2005
by Betsy on July 26, 2005 09:00AM (EDT)
Net Results [ww.netresults.org] hosts the National Evangelism Workshop, an ecumenical event that brings together Christian folks who focus on evangelism. There were representatives from 41 states and I forget how many denominations in Portland Oregon from July 20-22, 2005. I chose to go because I know I am stretched by the diversity of perspective. And I believe that happened.
Here are some of the things I learned or confirmed along the way.
My experience had been that I did not know of any worship service that successfully met the needs of people over 60 while attracting folks under 40. At NEW, I found others coming to the same conclusion. In fact, since the word "church" and even the place "church" is all but toxic to 20 and 30 somethings, it seems better to consider different ministries and to choose other places to worship. One of the most exciting examples of this I heard about was a spiritual community serving young professionals in the New York City area. It has grown to maybe 1500 participants in less than 18 months. It meets after work on Thursday night in a hotel ballroom. It is essentally lay lead, using experiential small groups and whole group praise music.
So, how might our congregations move in this direction? The best recommendation I heard was to devote half of your time and resources to folks who are not presently in your congregation. Service evangelism is one possibility: action that ranges from working in local facilities - soup kitchens, nursing homes to showing love in action to ordinary folk. Praying for and with folks not in the congregation is another way to invest this time. Use outreach programs such as Alpha, but don't be afraid to substitute material for the parts you find unacceptable theologically. Train your congregation in the evangelism continuum... meeting people where they are and inviting them to move a half step.
The preacher from Riverside Church, Jim Forbes, didn't come, but his substitute from Chicago Baptist Church did - I don't have his name -- but he powerfully presented the need to hear the spirit of the Biblical text. I heard "God is still speaking... are we listening? are we living into that call?" I was really inspired. And, indeed, what I learned most from the conference is that I need to be even more intentional about my prayer and study to continue to draw my strength and discernment from the deep water of Spirit. What we are inviting people into is a path that transforms lives. Have I let myself be transformed? Do I model testifying to transformation? Do I invite others to share their stories?
Rev. Betsy Waters
melizabethwaters@verizon.net
Net Results [ww.netresults.org] hosts the National Evangelism Workshop, an ecumenical event that brings together Christian folks who focus on evangelism. There were representatives from 41 states and I forget how many denominations in Portland Oregon from July 20-22, 2005. I chose to go because I know I am stretched by the diversity of perspective. And I believe that happened.
Here are some of the things I learned or confirmed along the way.
My experience had been that I did not know of any worship service that successfully met the needs of people over 60 while attracting folks under 40. At NEW, I found others coming to the same conclusion. In fact, since the word "church" and even the place "church" is all but toxic to 20 and 30 somethings, it seems better to consider different ministries and to choose other places to worship. One of the most exciting examples of this I heard about was a spiritual community serving young professionals in the New York City area. It has grown to maybe 1500 participants in less than 18 months. It meets after work on Thursday night in a hotel ballroom. It is essentally lay lead, using experiential small groups and whole group praise music.
So, how might our congregations move in this direction? The best recommendation I heard was to devote half of your time and resources to folks who are not presently in your congregation. Service evangelism is one possibility: action that ranges from working in local facilities - soup kitchens, nursing homes to showing love in action to ordinary folk. Praying for and with folks not in the congregation is another way to invest this time. Use outreach programs such as Alpha, but don't be afraid to substitute material for the parts you find unacceptable theologically. Train your congregation in the evangelism continuum... meeting people where they are and inviting them to move a half step.
The preacher from Riverside Church, Jim Forbes, didn't come, but his substitute from Chicago Baptist Church did - I don't have his name -- but he powerfully presented the need to hear the spirit of the Biblical text. I heard "God is still speaking... are we listening? are we living into that call?" I was really inspired. And, indeed, what I learned most from the conference is that I need to be even more intentional about my prayer and study to continue to draw my strength and discernment from the deep water of Spirit. What we are inviting people into is a path that transforms lives. Have I let myself be transformed? Do I model testifying to transformation? Do I invite others to share their stories?
Rev. Betsy Waters
melizabethwaters@verizon.net
posted by Congregation Renewal Associates at
8:43 PM
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