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Evangelism Connections is proud to announce the release of the Spring 2008 edition of the Ecumenical Evangelism Toolkit, a compilation of evangelism and hospitality resources from the partner denominations of Evangelism Connections.
This toolkit is designed for anyone, clergy or lay, interested in evangelism and looking for resources that will help them understand more fully what the Bible requires of us. We hope to provide you with information that will assist you in sharing the grace of God and the salvation of Jesus Christ with others and encourage you as individuals and as churches to awaken to the many opportunities you encounter each day to be an evangelist.
Resources in this edition of the Toolkit include books, CDs, pamphlets, and video media produced by the partner denominations of EC. The entries include descriptions of the item, the cost, and information on how to obtain the resource. The Toolkit is currently available in PDF format at no charge by clicking on the link above or on the toolkit menu items anywhere on this site.
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from the ELCA News Service. Provided by Kathryn Love
Over the summer a white, circus-sized tent appeared on the grounds of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Troy, N.Y., garnering looks of interest from all who passed by, according to Marilyn Dyer. Although known throughout the community for its "innovative approach to ministry," St. Timothy reached a high point in its aspiration for doing things differently by organizing a "revival" or "renewal" -- an evangelism and worship trend currently making its way across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
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More and more these days churches are reaching out to those without a church memory and succeeding at integrating such folk into the life and mission of local congregations. But it isn’t easy and it doesn’t come without some pain and frustration on the part of both the “insiders” and the “outsiders.” Is there a resource around that can serve as a guide for pastors, elders, and deacons for the journey from a life apart from the faith to a home in the faith community? One such guide for that journey is Companions on the Way, A Guide for elders as they tend to the spiritual needs of people exploring or rediscovering the Christian faith.
We’re all very aware that the future of Social Security is uncertain due to the bulge in population represented by the aging of the largest group of cohorts in American history, the Baby Boomers, i.e., those born between 1946 and 1964. According to Anthony E. Healy in Visions, January-February, 2002, boomers “will push the proportion of elderly to more than a fifth of the U.S. population.”* A large question for the twenty-first century church might be: Will this large segment of the American culture be coming to church on Sunday, or any other time of the week? Tex Sample estimates that only one-third of the most conservative “Boomers” are currently in the church. Will the other two-thirds of the Boomers have a change of heart and join the church down the street as they retire? If so, why? If not, why not? What are the characteristics of the kinds of spirituality “Boomers” are seeking vs. that of those who preceded them, namely the seniors or Builders? {mos_fb_discuss:5}
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Written by Deb Crawford |
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George Bush on July 26, 1990. This momentous legislation affirmed the rights of 49 million Americans with disabilities and has been considered the most important civil rights legislation in decades.1 Historically, people with disabilities have been stereotyped into roles of dependency and unfulfilled potential. Passage of the ADA has shifted federal policy from a charitable view to one of social, economic, political and psychological diversity. Many areas of American society have been dramatically altered by the ADA to include employment and the provision of reasonable accommodation in the workplace, delivery of state and local services, access to public and paratransit transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications and, to some degree, the religious community.2 {mos_fb_discuss:5}
Written by Kwasi Kena |
Have you ever heard someone in an aging church in decline suggest the following remedy for evangelism? "We need a young, energetic pastor with small children. That would help our church grow." Various pastor-centric remedies exist. “We need a good preacher who can pack ‘em in. We need a pastor who can reach young people.” Just how effective are pastors in reaching and relating to the unchurched? According to George G. Hunter III, “Pastors typically discover that they lose credibility with about half of the unchurched population the day they get ordained.” (Radical Outreach, Abingdon Press, 2003, p. 30) Hunter’s statement is logical. Clergy generally spend most of their time interacting with church members and other clergy. The people who rub shoulders with the real world are laity. People are connected to networks of other people. You go to work and network with people. You are a part of a family system—another network. You socialize with friends and acquaintances—more networks. Laity has access to people networks that clergy never will. Laity can talk to people within their networks easily because a relationship exists. Imagine how long it would take a clergyperson to establish the level of trust that you currently have in your various networks. {mos_fb_discuss:5} |
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