Methodological Madness

Whilst packing for my trip, I found some random notes that I scribbled a long time ago about evangelism. It would appear to have been written in early 2003. For posterity I leave them here on this web log.

Note that I made no warranty on the soundness or otherwise of these notes. So be warned.

[Editorial notes are formatted in italics, like this.]

1. On evangelism

• The need for it and the opportunities available are obvious—-there is no need to mention them here.

• Although it sounds good, there are “risks” associated with it. These should be taken care of when we formulate strategy.

  • Gospel risk. That what we preach is not the gospel, is not the truths of first importance.

    That we become (theologically or philosophically) too “inclusive” (potentially with cooperation with other churches [which has not undergone due diligence on their soundness, etc]) that would jeopardise the gospel in our own local church.

    That we place anything else (attractive things [like] fun, games, even “community”) above the gospel itself. There is a place for these things, but they should not take precedence over the gospel. In particular, [making] contact, pre-evangelism (postmodernity).

    The community is built on the gospel, not the other way around.

  • Follow-up risk. This is mainly due to resourcing/training. We need to know what to do when someone becomes a Christian.

  • Persecution risk is self-explanatory.

2. The audience

• Who is the audience?

  • The answer to this would depend on our resources. There is no point to expanding to somewhere where we have no resources.

• Potential audience characteristics and strategies

  • Young and postmodern. Relational/community, not scientific arguments (less on evidential apologetics). Community events, discipled, existing community groups

    Unchurched, biblically illiterate

    Likes stories. Biblical theology, gospel presentations (Two ways to live, Romans 1-5, New Tribes Mission)

  • Chinese, but decreasingly so. [I am now sceptical about this.]

  • Eppingsters. Historically a “Christian” suburb, biblical literate

3. Our resources

• The need for resource-based thinking.
• The need for a discipled community —- deacon-quality disiciples

4. Where the rubber hits the road

If we want to reach the world, we need to prepare ourselves.

• discipleship: substantially increase proportion of well-discipled
• gift inventory
• extra-ecclesial community inventory. What is the biggest category of non-Christian friends that the congregation has?
• the gospel in community

5. Much people

Acts 18:9-10