reimagine evangelism (7)

GUEST POST: Discipleship + Mentoring ---> Evangelism

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Ripple Effect of Mentoring Evangelists

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Mark, Heather, Kate, Addie, and Don
For four years Mark has led a local monthly mentoring group for a few people passionate and gifted in evangelism.  Originally begun as a one-year Advance Group as part of a Luis Palau initiative Mark was leading, this group bonded together across our generations and continued beyond one year.  Each person has a unique passion for sharing the gospel with specific types of people – junior high and high school students, Mormons, homeless people, people with Parkinson’s disease, and more.

Throughout these years we walked through challenges together personally about sharing the gospel in our lives and words in this often-confusing cultural moment.  Using various resources, we discussed numerous topics together – the biblical gift of the evangelist, the essence of the gospel, apologetics, new evangelism training resources, and living in a moment in the midst of deconstruction and increased opposition to Christian faith.  It was rich for everyone, spurring us on to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5) in bringing Jesus’ hope and Good News.

 

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After a season of prayer and discernment, we realized it was time for our group to end.  Often it’s often hard for us to admit when something needs to end!  However, for various reasons it was time.
 
At our final official gathering, we celebrated all God had done.  Then Mark exhorted everyone from Scripture to remain faithful to the gospel and spread what we’ve learned to others in our various churches and places of influence.
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Just 5 days later, one group member texted to the group how God had already worked.  She remembered Mark sharing, “It’s important to have other people who are passionate about evangelism to share the wins and losses together.”  She began pondering if her church had any type of group like this.  The next day one of her pastors emailed her about meeting to help them think through missions and outreach at their church!  As she shared the providential timing of his email, he was blown away!  They now plan to survey people at church about evangelism, and then from that survey build an evangelism group that meets monthly.  The pastor then asked her to do a workshop to help people be better equipped in sharing their faith in their everyday life! 
 
She concluded by saying, “The roots are already spreading from our group!  Thanks to each of you for helping me grow!” 
 
That’s the power of intergenerational mentoring!  Investing time in people flows like a river to places we could never imagine… all for the glory of God and His Kingdom!
 

Please Pray For.....

  • Mark, Heather, Kate, Addie, and Don as they spread the Gospel in their individual places of influence.
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GUEST POST ~ “Let’s be talking about Jesus.”

Dr. Paul Cedar

Lausanne * MissionAMerica Coaltion * The Table Coaltion

 

“Let’s be talking about Jesus.”  That was the theme of a recent article in Our Daily Bread devotional booklet a few days ago. It is a wonderful insight that has been resonating with both of us during the past few days.  That’s what our ministry is all about - talking about – sharing - our Lord and Savior – Jesus! Then it happened to us again when we were departing from the theater last Friday evening after viewing the wonderful film ,“The Jesus Revolution!”  And now, we’re trusting – we’re praying that we can use every opportunity - to speak – to share all about Him – Jesus!  To let others know – all about Jesus! 

 

It is something that every one of us could and should be doing!  We can share His Name when we are with Christian friends.  We can share Him when we are with our neighbors or in other settings of non-Christians. Of course, we always need to do sowith love, gentleness and sensitivity without using our church “insider” vocabulary that often “turns off” outsiders.  

 

Without a doubt, Jesus is the most wonderful, loving, captivating person who has ever lived on this earth.  He personified the life of love.  He not only preached about love, He lived it!  And He has invited us to live the life of love; to share His love with others.  As we do, let us be talking more and more about Him - Jesus

 

Dr. Paul Cedar

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GUEST POST ~

GUEST POST ~ "Christmas" Can Be Any Day of the Year

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As I read Scripture daily, pray and watch the continued loss of Christian influence in our culture, I often ask: “What can be done to reveal Christ’s mission to the world?” Or, “How do we make an impact on our neighbors so that our message about Jesus risen and reigning as Lord will be truly heard?”

Two recent experiences of mine shed light on my response. The first came when I delivered books from my library to Tyndale House Publishers to be shipped to a buyer in Florida. (I once had 12,000+ books. Now I have less than 1,300. My goal is to keep what I will use and make sure my physical effects do not present a problem for my family to deal with when I pass.) Anyway, I had packed some 45 boxes and drop-shipped them from the Tyndale warehouse. The warehouse person who met my friend and I to help unload these books was an exceptional man who treated us both with amazing care. I thanked him and invited him to have lunch with me a few days later. I was surprised when we told me that he was not a Christian. The more I probed carefully into his story the more clear it became to me that my new friend was not turned off by working with Christians. In fact, he spoke well of the culture he had worked in for decades. I plan to spend more time with him in the days ahead but here is my point: working for a Christian company, as a non-Christian, was not a negative for him. That tells me something very positive about the culture of Tyndale House. 

My second experience came when my daughter arranged for me to go with the twins to pack food at a nearby Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) warehouse. The drive and work took us about three hours. We packed enough food to feed three children in Ukraine for a whole year. But what impressed me was how the mission included Stacy and me helping two six-year old boys get into this witness for Christ’s kingdom. 

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What a teaching moment! But, much like Tyndale House, FMSC made it clear that non-Christians were welcome to come alongside and help. This invitation to share with Christians in their mission was a wonderful way to “involve” all people in a basic human concern for the needy. I was impressed with the FMSC enterprise and their workers, who made us all feel like we were doing something important, which of course we were. 

Check out FMSC at: https://www.fmsc.org/

Here is my point. We can actually include all people in Christ’s mission of mercy in fresh and winsome ways that we have never seriously explored. I am convinced people are more likely to “hear” our message of God’s love when they share with us in showing that love. That is basic and it surprises far too many Christians who think our only witness is to talk about Jesus all the time and to oppose a culture they do not like. 

 

May you and your loved ones experience a wonderful Advent this year.  

John Arnstrong

 

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GUEST-POST: #ReimagineCOMPASSION...as Generosity
 
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Connecting Pablo Picasso to Generosity

Written by Dynamis Ministries

If you’re like most people, when you hear “Picasso” you probably think of a famous painting like the one above. For some who are more familiar with the person, you may think of Picasso himself an eccentric artist. Fewer of us would think of Picasso as a philosopher. Pablo Picasso is in fact one of the world’s most influential artists and has inspired countless people through his work, and he was also quite contemplative when it came to the deeper questions of life. Although Picasso lived his life as an avowed atheist, his thoughts show that perhaps he was much closer to the Kingdom of God than he ever realized. One such example is what he said about the meaning and purpose of life:

 

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

 

For a Christian, our meaning and purpose of life is connected to much more. We affirm the purpose of life is to let God love us and to live in a way that brings glory to Him. However, there is a valuable lesson in Picasso’s philosophical quote. In fact, what Picasso said is not too far off from what the Apostle Peter said in one of his letters. Check out his words:

 

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)

 

Each of us have been given gifts from God through the Holy Spirit. In the Bible these are called spiritual gifts, and we’re to use them to serve one another. In other words, spiritual gifts are meant for generosity – for helping others! A big part of living out our greatest generosity is tapping into our spiritual gifts. The Bible reveals the types of spiritual gifts God bestows on his people, and here’s one type of master list:

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From this list, we each typically carry a top 3-5 gifts that we have been uniquely blessed with for serving others. Developing our spiritual gifts is a big part of growing our generosity potential because they can guide us in areas where we can serve others in impactful ways. What better time to reassess how we’re using our gifts than right now, as 2023 is upon us? The new year is so often associated with goal setting and resolutions, so let’s make sure we spend some time reflecting on how we’ve been developing and using our spiritual gifts.

 

What are some of the spiritual gifts God has given you? Are there fresh ways to use your gifts to serve others? If you want some guidance, consider doing a Dynamis Generosity Plan in 2023 as this is a big part of the coaching process. Not only does the Generosity Plan reveal your gifts, but it draws out how they can be used with new and exciting ideas. To begin this process, sign up for an introductory call with our Generosity Coach, Ben Berg, by clicking the icon below. In doing so you’ll be growing your generosity and living out your purpose in impactful ways in the year to come!

If you would like to subscribe to The Dynamis Drop please click the button above. If you are a current subscriber please consider forwarding this to anybody in your network that might benefit.

 

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GUEST POST: Redemptive Relationships

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GUEST POST: Redemptive Relationships

4 Ways to Build Redemptive Relationships

By Gary Reinecke on Nov 16, 2022 10:03 am

In a post-Christian context, one of the challenges when building redemptive relationships is discerning where to start. In our efforts to relate, serve, and ultimately build trust, sometimes we inadvertently do more damage than good. It can happen in subtle ways through words and actions that are intended to build bridges but, instead, create deep divides that are challenging to navigate.  

Have you said something that was received with a surprised look, hurt, or even anger?  I know I have. Fortunately, when this happens I have people around me that make me aware and those on the receiving end have been kind enough to forgive. There are times, though, when things are said that are offensive and insensitive that can lead to rifts in relationship if not quickly addressed. That’s what I would like to address here.

4 ways to build redemptive relationships

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1. Listen

Listen to understand so that you learn where a person is coming from. This is easier said than done. Before you form a judgment – stop, remain curious and ask questions. When you feel the urge to share your own thought or relatable story, decide instead to listen and understand.

2. Empathize

If there is one thing that followers of Jesus need to lead the way in, it is the art of empathy. With the ability to put yourself in another person’s position, you can earn the right to ask questions. The only way to do this is by getting into the muck and mire of people’s lives. Watch Brene Brown on Empathy.

3. Nurture Trust

This is vital. Until you have implemented the first two, listening and empathizing, you will find it challenging to build trust. Nurturing trust is not a one-time event, but a repeatable process that needs to be reinforced. 

4. Contextualize your message 

What about when you have something to say? There is a nagging question in the coaching community about feedback and it’s true, sometimes it’s important. We cover that topic in the post Coaches and Timely Feedback. If you are confident it’s time to speak up, remember to make sure what you offer is principle based and appropriately contextualized. 

Paul was astute at relating to people from different worldviews than his own. Think of what he encountered throughout his ministry:  navigating cross-cultural barriers, paradigms that were contrary to his, and an array of theological assumptions. A favorite example is when he encountered the “unknown God” in Acts 17:22-23

So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with. —The Message

Become a More Effective Witness

Reflect on these questions to assess how you can adapt your approach and build relationships with people outside of the church.

  1. What values do I need to hold true to?
  2. Which issues are non-negotiables for me? Really?
  3. What issues am I willing to let go?
  4. What am I unwilling to risk in this conversation?
  5. How can I create a win-win for this conversation?
  6. What should I look for to determine if people are uncomfortable?
  7. How will I respond when I encounter a sensitive topic?
  8. What possible subjects will this person find potentially offensive?
  9. How can I share what I need to share in a way that it can be heard?
  10. Who else could I include?

Cover Photo by Duy Pham on Unsplash

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The post 4 Ways to Build Redemptive Relationships appeared first on Christian Coaching Tools.


#ReimagineEVANGELISM...

 

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Honoring Steve Douglass - My Cru Colleague

{GUEST POST - A Tribute to A Man Who Used Questions To Share His Faith}

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Today’s post is going to be a departure from my normal LeadingWithQuestions.com posts.

This past Saturday afternoon, October 29th, Steve Douglass – President Emeritus of Cru (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ) took his first breath of celestial air.

Steve Douglass was my colleague and friend since 1980. He was also my mentor, not in a one-on-one way, but by being influenced through observing his leadership! He was one of the most genuine, caring, wise men that I have been privileged to know.  

Steve came to the ministry of Cru after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School. Through more than five decades of service, he held a variety of positions, including Vice President for Administration and National Director of the U.S. Ministries. In July 2001, Steve took over as the President of Cru from its founder Bill Bright. In October 2020, he passed the baton of President to Steve Sellers.

There are so many stories I could share – but one of my favorite Steve Douglass stories took place in Russia in 1994. Steve and his younger daughter took part in our mission trip to deliver food/medicine/clothes/toys to Russian children in hospitals, orphanages, and schools. Steve and his daughter just wanted to be regular volunteers and were assigned to a bus with 28 other volunteers.

On the very first day, one of the women on that bus came to Steve to share that her Dad, who was on the trip, was not a follower of Jesus and asked if Steve would please share with him. Steve, of course, agreed. But the week had passed without Steve finding any opportunity, until the final morning when Steve and this man ended up sitting across the bus aisle from each other as they headed out to their final day of distribution. Steve also noticed the man’s daughter sitting in the row behind them. She caught Steve’s eye and folded her hands and nodded – of course encouraging Steve to take advantage of this opportunity.

Steve began to engage her Dad in conversation and soon shared his story of how he had come to faith in Jesus. Steve then pulled out a little booklet, called “The Four Spiritual Laws.”

Her Dad quickly responded to share that while he meant no disrespect – he was not interested. So Steve put the booklet back in his pocket and continued to engage the man in conversation. He discovered that he had just retired at age 65 and had started saving for his retirement at age 22 and had been very disciplined in putting money aside every month and wisely investing it. Steve commended him for his efforts.

Steve then asked him how long he expected to live.  He said he hoped to be at least 85.

Steve then asked him, once you die how long do you expect to be dead? The man smiled and said, “I think that will be forever.”

Steve then asked him this question: “If I understand correctly you prepared for 42 years for your retirement which you hope will be at least 20 years. Am I correct?” The man confirmed that was true!

Steve then asked him this profound question: “How much time have you spent preparing for forever?”

The man was silent for quite a while. He then asked if Steve still had that little booklet, “The Four Spiritual Laws,” handy – as he was now interested in hearing!  Steve shared the booklet with him and when Steve shared that he could place his faith in Jesus right there on the bus, this man prayed with Steve to ask Jesus into his heart.

Steve shared with me later that it was God, who in that very moment, had given him those words and questions to ask. This was not something he had ever previously used.

If Steve was visiting with you today, he might ask you the same question: “How much time have you spent preparing for forever?”

One of my forever memories of my colleague Steve Douglass is that I do not remember ever a time that I was with him, either in person or via a phone call, that he did not end our time by praying for me! Every single time!

Here Steve shares his story of coming to Christ:

 

Below – I am reposting a “Guest Post” from Steve that posted this past February – of course sharing how he frequently engaged people to hear about Christ by asking them questions:

Helping People Become Interested in Hearing the Gospel Through the Use of Questions

 

Guest Post by Steve Douglass

We all have needs in our lives, don’t we? Some are pretty easy for us to meet—we are hungry, so we buy or fix something to eat. But some are much more challenging and seem to be beyond our ability to meet.

One time I was writing an article while sitting at a table in a McDonald’s restaurant. I was very focused and didn’t notice a woman walking toward my table until she was standing right in front of me.

She pointed and said, “Is that your Bible?” I said, “Yes”. Then she asked, “Are you a Christian?” Again, I said “Yes”. At which time she started explaining that she thought she was a Christian too but had some problems which were really bothering her. She had been living with a man for the last 10 years and had a child with him. The child was “special needs” and was challenging to care for.

After she went on for several minutes, I said, “Time out, time out! I think you are saying that you want to follow God as a Christian, but don’t seem to have the power to do that, right?” She said, “Yes”, to which I said, “Please sit down; you have come to the right table.”

She did sit down, and we talked for 20 minutes or so. I shared how she could appropriate God’s power to live her life according to God’s will. We prayed together and as she looked up, a big smile was beaming from her face. She had to go to work, and as she left I remember joyfully thanking God for what had just happened.

Think back on that interaction. I started by listening, discerned her need and asked if she felt she needed power to follow God. Normally I have to ask a few more questions to discern a person’s need. But once the need becomes clear, it is most often possible to connect that person with the powerful, wonderful fact that God is available to help, if the person is willing to trust Him.

I have found there are many needs which often surface:

  • Peace/Freedom from anxiety
  • Significance/Purpose in life
  • Love/Belonging
  • Forgiveness/A fresh start
  • Happiness/Enjoyment

And, I have found it is very helpful if I can give an example where God has met similar needs in my life.

So how do I find out what a person’s specific need is? I simply ask questions and pursue what I begin to learn about the person with more focused questions.

Let me give you an example. I was flying to Chicago O’Hare Airport. Across the aisle from me was a woman with whom I struck up a conversation. Her name was Joanne. Early in the conversation, I asked her “Where are you going after you land at O’Hare? I assume you might be connecting with a flight to another city since O’Hare is a hub airport.”

She said “no”, that she was driving on to her hometown. I asked, “And where is that?” She answered, “Rockford, Illinois”. I exclaimed, “You have got to be kidding me! That’s my hometown.” I asked a few more questions and found out that I had actually been in the furniture store her dad owned on the east side of town.

Before long she felt the freedom to volunteer that she had just gone through a divorce and was raising four young children by herself. I said, “Well, Joanne. I have never gone through a divorce, but I can only imagine that has caused you a lot of pain. Is that true?” She said, “Yes it has”. So, then I asked, “Could I tell you about how I have learned to deal with pain and anxiety in my life?” She said, “Yes, please do!”

Let me pause the story here and comment on what God used to get us to that point. Through initial questions and conversation, we established a measure of trust. Eventually, she was vulnerable enough to share a need she had that was beyond her ability to meet. Then, through two simple questions, it was possible to bring her to the point of listening to a portion of my experience with God.

So, I shared a personal example of how God gave me peace in spite of a challenging negative circumstance. And then with two more questions, I transitioned from my testimony to the gospel: I asked, “Joanne, have you ever experienced a relationship with God like the one I have experienced?” She said, “No, I never have.” Then I asked, “Would you be interested in hearing how you can?” She exclaimed, “Yes, I would love to hear about that!”

So, I explained the gospel to her and at the end asked if she would like to become a follower of Jesus Christ, accept His forgiveness, and begin to operate in His power. She said she thought she might have made some decision like that when she was young, but she eagerly prayed to be sure and especially to be sure she was operating in God’s power and peace.

SUMMARY: So, what am I saying? We all have needs, some of which are beyond our human strength to meet. But God is able to meet those needs. He does that if we confess our sins, accept His forgiveness, walk in fellowship with Him, and trust and obey Him. And the best way I have found to help someone be motivated to consider the claims of the gospel is to:

  • Ask questions and listen.
  • Discern what they already see is beyond their human capacity to cope.
  • Share how I have experienced God’s love and provision, even in challenging areas.

Almost always, at that point, people are very willing to hear how they can have that kind of relationship with God.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Steve Douglass was President Emeritus of Campus Crusade for Christ/Cru.

Steve is survived by his wife Judy and their three grown children and ten grandchildren.

Steve was the author or co-author of several books, including How to Get Better Grades and Have More Fun and Enjoying Your Walk with God. His radio program, Making Your Life Count, aired daily on 1600 stations.

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Creative Arts Provoke Emotion That Leads To Action

Kyle Thompson - 
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The power of the creative arts to provoke the emotions of empathy, anger, love, hope, hate, fear, which specifically lead us to take an action, is why it is imperative for preachers of the Gospel to not miss this tool.
 
 
I believe it is why Jesus employed stories...parables, to express a complex idea in an easy to remember iconography.
 
We are in dangerous times as Christian leaders. As the culture continues to fragment and gather into warring tribes, the demand for level heads has never been higher, but the ability to carefully share simple answers to complex issues is nearly impossible with words alone.
 
The value of films like Superspreader (superspreaderfilm.com) which goes far in taking a snapshot of the recent past of 2020 and the ramifications then (and now and soon to come again) of standing, or in this case, singing for freedom; and JESUS REVOLUTION (https://jesusrevolution.movie/), which retells of the Jesus movement revival that spurred out of a similar cultural upheaval in our country over 50 years ago, is that the viewers can see for themselves the hope that Jesus brings, without uttering a word. The power of Sight and sound cuts through the veil of emotions to open hearts to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in an extremely effective way.
 
We know the arts change hearts. It's partially why we are where we are today culturally.  The 'Christian' movie business was on a pretty constant upward trajectory until COVID hit and now the shutdown of the theaters as much as the shutdown of the church has reverberated with fewer films of faith in theaters and those which have appeared, have not performed well for various reasons.
 
Though we don't need the movie system to grow the influence of Christ in our society, there is a potential of missing millions of people who are even more likely to avoid attending a church in person now then before. So seeing films like this come to theaters become the only sermon many will ever have an opportunity to hear.
 
For those pastors who say the value of online entertainment is just as good as in person theatrical releases, I would point to the same issue with online church services vs. in-person church attendance.  And I say this as a purveyor of livestreaming for churches (Catalyst acquired sermon.net during Covid), the in-person e
xperience creates a fixed position which disallows fast forwarding and allows the power of the moment to sit in a heart much better than online.  Though there is value to livestream preaching and teaching, there is no true substitute for the shared experience with others in corporate worship and teaching.  It is the same with film.  These films in particular could serve as a launching point for revival happening in individual hearts which could affect our nation on a macro-scale.
 
 

Kyle Thompson

https://catalystresourcegroup.com

 

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Catalyst Resource Group works in the areas of
MissionsMoviesStreaming, & Production.

 

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