Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Monday, September 27, 2010
Roles in Evangelism
Evangelism often relies heavily on story, mostly through our own personal testimonies. If we are willing to be interested in others stories then people will want to hear ours.
Evangelism as Mystery is where we can explain to a non believer the faith we have and why and how we experience it. First we must invite them to explore for themselves, “it is that something deep inside us”, it might be hard to explain but worth pursuing.
Image in evangelism is where people are invited to look and wonder, “is this old fashioned or what are they going on about?” We need images that reflect us as real people not just ‘church’ people.
Metaphor can link the secular and Church worlds take the word “fellowship” which in evangelism should really be translated “Friendship” people understand this concept much better.
Evangelism as Mystery is where we can explain to a non believer the faith we have and why and how we experience it. First we must invite them to explore for themselves, “it is that something deep inside us”, it might be hard to explain but worth pursuing.
Image in evangelism is where people are invited to look and wonder, “is this old fashioned or what are they going on about?” We need images that reflect us as real people not just ‘church’ people.
Metaphor can link the secular and Church worlds take the word “fellowship” which in evangelism should really be translated “Friendship” people understand this concept much better.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Evangelism Stories
Evangelism and stories can take place in various ways. Stories in evangelism are a tremendous tool to help every Christian help a non believers understand the gospel.
Personal stories are the most common as people identify with their own situations from what you tell them in your story. The stories of God or Jesus can be woven into our conversations in any setting at i.e. work, recreation etc, which makes them very portable.
Less noticeable are the communal narratives in evangelism. These take of form of preaching or in house groups or larger groups’ events held within the faith community. So as Christian we must invite people to step into the faith community to hear them.
Public narratives are often told by those with the gift of sharing the gospel. This relies on other Christians to invite non believers to hear the speaker. The aim here is to sharing the gospel with as many as possible at once.
Personal stories are the most common as people identify with their own situations from what you tell them in your story. The stories of God or Jesus can be woven into our conversations in any setting at i.e. work, recreation etc, which makes them very portable.
Less noticeable are the communal narratives in evangelism. These take of form of preaching or in house groups or larger groups’ events held within the faith community. So as Christian we must invite people to step into the faith community to hear them.
Public narratives are often told by those with the gift of sharing the gospel. This relies on other Christians to invite non believers to hear the speaker. The aim here is to sharing the gospel with as many as possible at once.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Personal Story Bit's
I agree with Steve’s, (http://kiwimadepreaching.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/steve-taylor-stories-can-be-sermons-best-friend/) points about how we have to “craft” and understand the process of what we share and what is not helpful in sharing personal stories in our preaching.
As New Zealander’s we try to be humble, not to off load onto others when we tell our stories. People do however want to hear authentic stories concerning you as a real person. As the deliverer of the story we must consider the timing and audience to share those stories. What is the benefit to the audience and the implications for me?
I actually found this out the first time I was asked to speak publicly to a group. I quickly learnt what was allowed to be shared and what was not. With lots of help from critical friends which are invaluable. It was really, really frustrating not being able to directly address a topic and having to find another way around it.
One of the first people I remember as teenager telling a personal story was Murray Robertson from Spreydon Baptist in Christchurch. What I remember most is that the stories always had a resolution or something to reflect on.
One way to learn about the process is to look for people who tell great stories.
As New Zealander’s we try to be humble, not to off load onto others when we tell our stories. People do however want to hear authentic stories concerning you as a real person. As the deliverer of the story we must consider the timing and audience to share those stories. What is the benefit to the audience and the implications for me?
I actually found this out the first time I was asked to speak publicly to a group. I quickly learnt what was allowed to be shared and what was not. With lots of help from critical friends which are invaluable. It was really, really frustrating not being able to directly address a topic and having to find another way around it.
One of the first people I remember as teenager telling a personal story was Murray Robertson from Spreydon Baptist in Christchurch. What I remember most is that the stories always had a resolution or something to reflect on.
One way to learn about the process is to look for people who tell great stories.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
INTERGENERATIONAL CHILDREN
While Fowler gives us the different stages of faith, I think that as a form of communication children’s talks are often sermons in themselves. Contains some of the following elements.
Some kind of picture or piece of equipment, (like the large hammer or mallet which was used to crash boxes to pieces, or the secret bags of goodies).
The verbal honest replies of a child, to questions i.e., the child who proceeds to tell the bible story for you, or the one who asks difficult questions that require an answer in some way (keeps the presenter on their toes).
Stories or event that sticks in adults heads for ages afterwards. Whether it is the talk, or something a particular child has done, (the child who should know better biting the top of the runner bean that was presented or the older child who was asked to pick up suitcases to show the sin that we carry, when he had finished, he literally let them all fall in a pile and left them for someone else to pick up, an adult noted that this is what we should do leave sin at the cross.
It gives the adults a chance to reinforce behaviour or learning at home, i.e., on being helpful/showing kindness. Lets us as adults reflect on how we behave, especially in front of children.
Can connect adult sermons and children church drawing the whole faith community together whatever their stage of faith development.
PS: in writing this blog I have been sitting having a little giggle at all the things I remember happening and to whom both adult and child.
Some kind of picture or piece of equipment, (like the large hammer or mallet which was used to crash boxes to pieces, or the secret bags of goodies).
The verbal honest replies of a child, to questions i.e., the child who proceeds to tell the bible story for you, or the one who asks difficult questions that require an answer in some way (keeps the presenter on their toes).
Stories or event that sticks in adults heads for ages afterwards. Whether it is the talk, or something a particular child has done, (the child who should know better biting the top of the runner bean that was presented or the older child who was asked to pick up suitcases to show the sin that we carry, when he had finished, he literally let them all fall in a pile and left them for someone else to pick up, an adult noted that this is what we should do leave sin at the cross.
It gives the adults a chance to reinforce behaviour or learning at home, i.e., on being helpful/showing kindness. Lets us as adults reflect on how we behave, especially in front of children.
Can connect adult sermons and children church drawing the whole faith community together whatever their stage of faith development.
PS: in writing this blog I have been sitting having a little giggle at all the things I remember happening and to whom both adult and child.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Not another sermon...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Yes "Don't have sermons every week". I think that there are different way to communicate not just through a standardised sermon. I was thinking how it could be done in my own context in the morning (which for most of us is when people expect to here a good sermon).
Involving children and youth in the service is one way, using props or other media to tell a story. You would be surprised how many children's talk's people remember compared to the Vicar's sermon.
Reorganising the church so people have to sit in different places is another, then involving them in some kind of activity such as making something with clay or the like. Then having people tell about why they made it artwork, what inspired them.
Having several short talks ie 1-3 minutes from people in the congregation about something that has happened to them, in story form or what their favourite bible verse is and why, what it means to them. No one then feels cheated out of not hearing the WORD preached.
All of the above are about teaching people to share their faith and learning to think about the Gospel for themselves. None of them are easy and do require a bit of thought and planning.
Involving children and youth in the service is one way, using props or other media to tell a story. You would be surprised how many children's talk's people remember compared to the Vicar's sermon.
Reorganising the church so people have to sit in different places is another, then involving them in some kind of activity such as making something with clay or the like. Then having people tell about why they made it artwork, what inspired them.
Having several short talks ie 1-3 minutes from people in the congregation about something that has happened to them, in story form or what their favourite bible verse is and why, what it means to them. No one then feels cheated out of not hearing the WORD preached.
All of the above are about teaching people to share their faith and learning to think about the Gospel for themselves. None of them are easy and do require a bit of thought and planning.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Safe spaces for Emotions
As one who does not preach, but hang on, what have I seen when others preach I thought!
- the whole service needs to revolve around people feeling safe in their environment the minutes one walks in the door.
- The intentional use of Sermon's with questions/statements using "you" and "I". Hence, people think about their own situations and emotions.
- Leaving space for quiet reflection after the sermon or corporate prayer time. The Anglican Liturgy has a silence kept for praying for our own needs at the end of a prayer time. (Often not long enough).
- Use of a poem or a picture or song, specifically chosen.
- Use of prayer teams during communion or after the service. This can spill over into weekly housegroups as people talk freely about the sermon.
Stop Press!!
But all of this could not go on without the help of the Holy Spirit. I got a taste of this last night in our evening service. Our SOMA mission Team talked about their trip to Fiji. Very moving, but I felt I had to dance during the worship at the end. The whole mood of the service changed, everyone became thoughtful, prayerful, as if though God had captured people's emotions inside.
- the whole service needs to revolve around people feeling safe in their environment the minutes one walks in the door.
- The intentional use of Sermon's with questions/statements using "you" and "I". Hence, people think about their own situations and emotions.
- Leaving space for quiet reflection after the sermon or corporate prayer time. The Anglican Liturgy has a silence kept for praying for our own needs at the end of a prayer time. (Often not long enough).
- Use of a poem or a picture or song, specifically chosen.
- Use of prayer teams during communion or after the service. This can spill over into weekly housegroups as people talk freely about the sermon.
Stop Press!!
But all of this could not go on without the help of the Holy Spirit. I got a taste of this last night in our evening service. Our SOMA mission Team talked about their trip to Fiji. Very moving, but I felt I had to dance during the worship at the end. The whole mood of the service changed, everyone became thoughtful, prayerful, as if though God had captured people's emotions inside.
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