Evangelism: a single word that strikes fear into many Anglicans. This word creates a picture in our minds, of us boldly going out into the community and reciting scripture in order to bring people to Christ. I have to admit that this has been my reaction to evangelism as well. Recently, I had the opportunity to read a book, A New and Ancient Evangelism, by Judith Paulsen, which looks at evangelism through conversion stories in scripture to rediscover the ways God calls and sends. What can we learn from 2,000-year-old stories that will help us be effective evangelists in the 21st century?
After reading this book, I have come to understand an evangelist needs to know scripture, but this doesn’t have to mean memorizing chapter and verse from the Gospels. Jesus and the disciples went out into the world and told stories. I, as an evangelist, need to be able to share stories about the life of Christ in order to bring people to God. Each chapter in the book focuses on a conversion story from scripture, which allows the reader to look at the ways people are called to God. There is the conversion of a God-fearing outsider, a desperate general, a prison warden, and a child prophet. In chapter 3, The Conversion of Friends, Family, and Students, John 1:35-51, is shared, followed by a discussion on relationships, community, and how people come to faith following different paths. In this conversion story, Andrew invites his brother Simon, and Philip invites his friend Nathaniel, and Jesus in turn invites them all to come, see, and follow. A relationship is already established with friends and family, which gives me the opportunity to not only share stories from scripture but also my own story of coming to faith.
Along with knowing scripture, I have learned the importance of knowing my own story as a person of faith. At the end of each chapter, ideas from the chapter are brought directly to the reader to consider their own story as a Christian through the discussion questions. Consider the question, “How has your understanding of Jesus grown through the years?” I have been an Anglican my whole life, but this question brought to my attention that my understanding of Jesus has been a journey throughout my life. This helped me to realize that everyone’s faith journey is exactly that, their journey, and that conversion may be sudden, or it may take a lifetime. Consider this question, “How did that community of faith disciple you? Did it begin with teaching or with a relationship?” This question led to the understanding of the importance of relationship-building in order to bring someone to faith. The most poignant realization for me came from this question: “In what ways do you think God was at work in you before you became a Christian?” This question reminded us that those we hope to reach have pre-existing spiritual lives.
In The Conversion of a God-fearing Outsider, Cornelius led a spiritual life, but he did not know Christ. If we trust that God is already working in people’s lives, then we can start a conversation that respects these experiences. Recently, I was asked by someone I know why I was pursuing becoming a deacon. His question about my faith journey was made possible by our pre-existing relationship. He was born into a family of atheists and agnostics, but from our conversation, I could see God working in him as the questions he asked demonstrated a genuine interest and openness to understanding my desire to share the love of Jesus with others. In this personal example, I was able to apply two things I learned from the conversion stories and apply them in the 21st century: build relationships and share a story from my faith journey. If we trust that God is already working in people’s lives, then we can start a conversation that respects their experiences. Reaching people requires a commitment to spending time listening to their stories, building relationships, and inviting them into the community.
After reading the book, A New and Ancient Evangelism, by Judith Paulsen, I feel I am better prepared to go out into the world and become a disciple of Jesus, spreading the Good News that God is with us. Remembering it all begins with prayer and trust in God.
Embracing Evangelism: A Reflection on Bishop Susan’s Book for Lent
Evangelism: a single word that strikes fear into many Anglicans. This word creates a picture in our minds, of us boldly going out into the community and reciting scripture in order to bring people to Christ. I have to admit that this has been my reaction to evangelism as well. Recently, I had the opportunity to read a book, A New and Ancient Evangelism, by Judith Paulsen, which looks at evangelism through conversion stories in scripture to rediscover the ways God calls and sends. What can we learn from 2,000-year-old stories that will help us be effective evangelists in the 21st century?
After reading this book, I have come to understand an evangelist needs to know scripture, but this doesn’t have to mean memorizing chapter and verse from the Gospels. Jesus and the disciples went out into the world and told stories. I, as an evangelist, need to be able to share stories about the life of Christ in order to bring people to God. Each chapter in the book focuses on a conversion story from scripture, which allows the reader to look at the ways people are called to God. There is the conversion of a God-fearing outsider, a desperate general, a prison warden, and a child prophet. In chapter 3, The Conversion of Friends, Family, and Students, John 1:35-51, is shared, followed by a discussion on relationships, community, and how people come to faith following different paths. In this conversion story, Andrew invites his brother Simon, and Philip invites his friend Nathaniel, and Jesus in turn invites them all to come, see, and follow. A relationship is already established with friends and family, which gives me the opportunity to not only share stories from scripture but also my own story of coming to faith.
Along with knowing scripture, I have learned the importance of knowing my own story as a person of faith. At the end of each chapter, ideas from the chapter are brought directly to the reader to consider their own story as a Christian through the discussion questions. Consider the question, “How has your understanding of Jesus grown through the years?” I have been an Anglican my whole life, but this question brought to my attention that my understanding of Jesus has been a journey throughout my life. This helped me to realize that everyone’s faith journey is exactly that, their journey, and that conversion may be sudden, or it may take a lifetime. Consider this question, “How did that community of faith disciple you? Did it begin with teaching or with a relationship?” This question led to the understanding of the importance of relationship-building in order to bring someone to faith. The most poignant realization for me came from this question: “In what ways do you think God was at work in you before you became a Christian?” This question reminded us that those we hope to reach have pre-existing spiritual lives.
In The Conversion of a God-fearing Outsider, Cornelius led a spiritual life, but he did not know Christ. If we trust that God is already working in people’s lives, then we can start a conversation that respects these experiences. Recently, I was asked by someone I know why I was pursuing becoming a deacon. His question about my faith journey was made possible by our pre-existing relationship. He was born into a family of atheists and agnostics, but from our conversation, I could see God working in him as the questions he asked demonstrated a genuine interest and openness to understanding my desire to share the love of Jesus with others. In this personal example, I was able to apply two things I learned from the conversion stories and apply them in the 21st century: build relationships and share a story from my faith journey. If we trust that God is already working in people’s lives, then we can start a conversation that respects their experiences. Reaching people requires a commitment to spending time listening to their stories, building relationships, and inviting them into the community.
After reading the book, A New and Ancient Evangelism, by Judith Paulsen, I feel I am better prepared to go out into the world and become a disciple of Jesus, spreading the Good News that God is with us. Remembering it all begins with prayer and trust in God.
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The Complexity of Easter: The Intersection of Faith and History
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