Invitational Ministries Made Easier or Witnessing by Just Being Yourself Based upon Evangelism...

Invitational Ministries Made Invitational Ministries Made EasierEasier

ororWitnessing by Just Being Witnessing by Just Being

YourselfYourself

Based upon Based upon Evangelism Without Additives : What if Evangelism Without Additives : What if Sharing Your Faith Meant Just Being Yourself bSharing Your Faith Meant Just Being Yourself by Jim y Jim

HendersonHenderson

What’s the Difference?What’s the Difference?

Share Your Faith, Live Share Your Faith, Live Your LifeYour Life

vs.vs.

Live Your Faith, Share Live Your Faith, Share Your LifeYour Life

When you hear the word…When you hear the word…

What do you think of when you hear the What do you think of when you hear the word “evangelism”.word “evangelism”.

Think of at least two positive words that you Think of at least two positive words that you associate with it and two negative words associate with it and two negative words that you associate with it.that you associate with it.

Share in large group.Share in large group.

Why Should We Witness?Why Should We Witness?

To fulfill To fulfill God’s God’s mission, the reign of God on mission, the reign of God on earth.earth.

It’s not our mission.It’s not our mission.

It’s not even the Community of Christ’s It’s not even the Community of Christ’s mission.mission.

It’s God’s mission. And He calls us to help. It’s God’s mission. And He calls us to help.

God’s MissionGod’s MissionGod is up to something!God is up to something!

We are not setting the agenda.We are not setting the agenda.

We are part of an unfolding story.We are part of an unfolding story.

Doctrine and Covenants 154:Doctrine and Covenants 154:

““My Spirit is reaching out to numerous My Spirit is reaching out to numerous souls even now . . .”souls even now . . .”

Doctrine and Covenants 163Doctrine and Covenants 163

““Above all else, strive to be faithful Above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable to Christ’s vision of the peaceable

kingdom of God.”kingdom of God.”

But Evangelism Isn’t Easy!But Evangelism Isn’t Easy!

ProgramProgram

Formalized and StructuredFormalized and Structured

Takes a lot of NerveTakes a lot of Nerve

Designed for extrovertsDesigned for extroverts

Luke 10Luke 10

Model of EvangelismModel of Evangelism

Dwelling In the WordDwelling In the Word

– Listen to it read aloudListen to it read aloud

– Second reading, notice where you stopSecond reading, notice where you stop

– What is God saying to you today?What is God saying to you today?

– Share with a reasonably friendly partnerShare with a reasonably friendly partner

Ordinary AttemptsOrdinary Attempts

Free Attention GiveawaysFree Attention Giveaways

paying attention to people because we paying attention to people because we want to nudge them toward Jesuswant to nudge them toward Jesus

Instead of asking them Instead of asking them forfor something, we something, we give give themthem something…our time, attention something…our time, attention and interest. and interest.

The ‘small’ thingsThe ‘small’ things

Think of a time when someone did Think of a time when someone did something small for you, but it was huge. something small for you, but it was huge.

Drink of water, an opening in traffic, a door Drink of water, an opening in traffic, a door opened, a coffee paid for. opened, a coffee paid for.

What happened? What happened?

What was your reaction?What was your reaction?

How, if at all, were you changed?How, if at all, were you changed?

Matthew 10:42 RevisedMatthew 10:42 Revised

If anyoneIf anyone …even cowards for Jesus…even cowards for Jesus

Gives evenGives even …small things are the big things…small things are the big things

A cup of cold waterA cup of cold water …ordinary things are the …ordinary things are the real thingsreal things

Because he is my discipleBecause he is my disciple …good intentions …good intentions count toocount too

He will not lose his rewardHe will not lose his reward …it counts, and …it counts, and God will multiply its effectiveness.God will multiply its effectiveness.

How to be like JesusHow to be like Jesus

Ask great questionsAsk great questionsDon’t get in a Don’t get in a frenzyfrenzy to move people closer to move people closer

to the kingdomto the kingdomOperate in a relatively small geographical Operate in a relatively small geographical

and cultural spaceand cultural spaceBe approachable to others. Be friends with Be approachable to others. Be friends with

themthemLook for, and be, a Look for, and be, a relatively friendly relatively friendly

strangerstranger

Nothing to LoseNothing to Lose

““Freedom’s just another word for nothing left Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose”to lose”

We are the freest people on earth because We are the freest people on earth because we have eternal security as well as we have eternal security as well as internal security. We can risk, attempt, and internal security. We can risk, attempt, and fail and still be safe~fail and still be safe~

What are we afraid of?What are we afraid of?

Why Not?Why Not?

Share with your neighbor two reasons why Share with your neighbor two reasons why you don’t invite, evangelize, witness, you don’t invite, evangelize, witness, evangelize or whatever term you want to evangelize or whatever term you want to use.use.

Share in the large group.Share in the large group.

Are there common reasons?Are there common reasons?

Cup, Saucer, PlateCup, Saucer, Plate

Solitude Solitude

CommunityCommunity

MinistryMinistry

Attempting the OrdinaryAttempting the Ordinary

Ask someone the question: “How are Ask someone the question: “How are you?”you?”

Then listen. Don’t interrupt. Don’t witness Then listen. Don’t interrupt. Don’t witness or preach or say anything religious. Just or preach or say anything religious. Just listen.listen.

Learn to be present.Learn to be present.

If that’s too riskyIf that’s too risky

Practice noticing the people God has put Practice noticing the people God has put around you.around you.

Take a small notebook or tape recorder with Take a small notebook or tape recorder with you and begin to write down observations you and begin to write down observations about the people you notice whom you’ve about the people you notice whom you’ve never ‘seen’ before. Ask God to give you never ‘seen’ before. Ask God to give you new ideas about how you could serve new ideas about how you could serve these people. these people.

Are they lost or just missing?Are they lost or just missing?

The “lost” are those who Jesus misses most.The “lost” are those who Jesus misses most.

The “Lost”The “Lost”

What images do you get when you hear people What images do you get when you hear people referred to as “lost”?referred to as “lost”?

Who are the found?Who are the found?

Which group is superior?Which group is superior?

Is it easy to relate to the lost? – to love them? To Is it easy to relate to the lost? – to love them? To want to be with them?want to be with them?

What if they are just “Missing”?What if they are just “Missing”?

““Missing people aren’t bad; Missing people aren’t bad; they’re just not where they’re they’re just not where they’re supposed to be.”supposed to be.”

Brian Brian McLarenMcLaren

A coinA coin, , a sheepa sheep, , a persona person

Luke 15Luke 15

verse 4 – who lost the sheep?verse 4 – who lost the sheep?

verse 8 – who lost the coin?verse 8 – who lost the coin?

verse 13 – the boy chose to leave, but verse 13 – the boy chose to leave, but how did his father receive him?how did his father receive him?

Were they missing or lost? What’s the Were they missing or lost? What’s the difference?difference?

Seinfeld EvangelismSeinfeld Evangelism

““Ordinary attempts could also be called Ordinary attempts could also be called Seinfeld Evangelism – we make a big deal Seinfeld Evangelism – we make a big deal out of what some people think of as out of what some people think of as nothing. We count all the small, ordinary nothing. We count all the small, ordinary encounters in life. We look for Jesus in all encounters in life. We look for Jesus in all the ordinariness the way Seinfeld looked the ordinariness the way Seinfeld looked for humor. for humor.


““Momentology”: the practice of making a big deal Momentology”: the practice of making a big deal out of the moments one experiences in life.out of the moments one experiences in life.

Pay special attention and keep track of moments Pay special attention and keep track of moments (e.g. getting bills paid, having correct change, (e.g. getting bills paid, having correct change, hearing from an old friend). When you notice hearing from an old friend). When you notice God in your own life, it’s easier to recognize him God in your own life, it’s easier to recognize him in someone else’s. Make a big deal out of in someone else’s. Make a big deal out of others’ moments as well.others’ moments as well.

In other wordsIn other words....

Be yourself.Be yourself.

Be human.Be human.

Be normal.Be normal.

Be real.Be real.

Be intentional.Be intentional.

Making the E word go awayMaking the E word go away

““If being Christians meant we were the If being Christians meant we were the most ‘real’ people on earth rather than the most ‘real’ people on earth rather than the most religious, evangelism as a program most religious, evangelism as a program would disappear forever.”would disappear forever.”

People aren’t shopping for a religion. They People aren’t shopping for a religion. They are looking for something real. are looking for something real.

The Gospel According to YouThe Gospel According to You

Two Basic Practices Jesus Used to Share Two Basic Practices Jesus Used to Share the Gospel:the Gospel:

1. 1. Speak the gospelSpeak the gospel: “Preach the good news : “Preach the good news to all creation”. Mark 16:15to all creation”. Mark 16:15

2. 2. Serve the gospelServe the gospel: “Whatever you did for : “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. Matthew 25:40you did for me”. Matthew 25:40

How Big is Small Talk?How Big is Small Talk?

The primary reward of small talk is that it builds The primary reward of small talk is that it builds relationships.relationships.

Speaking and feeling are closely related.Speaking and feeling are closely related.

It’s not the words…it’s the heart.It’s not the words…it’s the heart.

The impact is enormous.The impact is enormous.

It’s Big!It’s Big!

Conversation > Community> Conversation > Community> ConversionConversion

In a pluralistic society, the possibility of In a pluralistic society, the possibility of conversion, that is changing the way one conversion, that is changing the way one perceives essential reality, is opened up perceives essential reality, is opened up through conversations with people who through conversations with people who live with a contrasting view of reality. One live with a contrasting view of reality. One adopts and internalizes the new worldview adopts and internalizes the new worldview through socialization into a community through socialization into a community sharing that new worldview.sharing that new worldview.

George HunterGeorge Hunter

Celtic EvangelismCeltic Evangelism

Celtic Christians treated Outsiders like Celtic Christians treated Outsiders like Insiders (hospitality)Insiders (hospitality)

Celtic Christians talked about everyday Celtic Christians talked about everyday issues ( real and relevant)issues ( real and relevant)

Celtic Christians looked for the goodCeltic Christians looked for the good

(affirming)(affirming)


Ask questions. Jesus asked a lot of questions. Ask questions. Jesus asked a lot of questions. He didn’t always know the answers.He didn’t always know the answers.

Make small talk. How people smell each Make small talk. How people smell each other. Be willing to be bored for Jesus.other. Be willing to be bored for Jesus.

Practice normal talk. Take out the religious Practice normal talk. Take out the religious jargon. jargon.

Say “wow” Say “wow”

Listen!Listen!

Ask Great QuestionsAsk Great Questions

Where are you from?Where are you from?

Where do you live?Where do you live?

How long have you been…?How long have you been…?

What would you change if you could change What would you change if you could change one aspect of your life?one aspect of your life?

Count to ThreeCount to Three

Wait time: simply waiting just to pause Wait time: simply waiting just to pause longer than you are accustomed to when longer than you are accustomed to when you’re talking to someone.you’re talking to someone.

Why? People need more time to think and Why? People need more time to think and respond than we normally give them.respond than we normally give them.

Only fools rush inOnly fools rush in

Spiritual FormationSpiritual Formation

Create a niche in your missing friend’s life Create a niche in your missing friend’s life by being someone “who really cares”.by being someone “who really cares”.

Grow spiritually by resisting the temptation Grow spiritually by resisting the temptation to preach or correctto preach or correct

Wear down a person’s will to resist God. Wear down a person’s will to resist God. Free attention giveaways cause the Free attention giveaways cause the person to trust you in spite of the fact that person to trust you in spite of the fact that you are religious.you are religious.


““Nonmanipulative intentionality”Nonmanipulative intentionality”

The “phone call” ordinary attemptThe “phone call” ordinary attempt

““Hold the door for someone” ordinary Hold the door for someone” ordinary attemptattempt

Five Loaves and Two FishFive Loaves and Two Fish

The “grocery store” ordinary attemptThe “grocery store” ordinary attempt

The “freedom fighter” ordinary attemptThe “freedom fighter” ordinary attempt

Religion or Reality?Religion or Reality?

Jesus wasn’t in the religion business. He Jesus wasn’t in the religion business. He wasn’t selling a religious point of view. His wasn’t selling a religious point of view. His business was reality, and whenever he business was reality, and whenever he encountered a ‘reality seeker’ he encountered a ‘reality seeker’ he responded to that person. responded to that person.

““People don’t need a better religion; they People don’t need a better religion; they need a better reality”need a better reality”

Do What You Can DoDo What You Can Do

““15 Minutes at Borders”15 Minutes at Borders”

Do What You Can DoDo What You Can Do

Pray behind their backs. Pray as you walk Pray behind their backs. Pray as you walk around your neighborhood. Walk around around your neighborhood. Walk around your neighborhood. your neighborhood.

Be a Coward for Jesus (CFJ) Jesus didn’t Be a Coward for Jesus (CFJ) Jesus didn’t ask us to be brave, just to be ourselves.ask us to be brave, just to be ourselves.

Mystify and surprise people with kindness.Mystify and surprise people with kindness.

Ask questions and then really listen, with no Ask questions and then really listen, with no strings or agendas attached.strings or agendas attached.

Attempting the OrdinaryAttempting the OrdinaryDoing a lot with very littleDoing a lot with very little

““When I see folks at the grocery store When I see folks at the grocery store or the post office or on the street, I’m or the post office or on the street, I’m now much more open to looking them now much more open to looking them in the eye and asking how they’re in the eye and asking how they’re doing. I might even coo at their baby doing. I might even coo at their baby – and I’m not really into cooing at – and I’m not really into cooing at babies!”babies!”


““I finally met the neighbor I’ve only waved at I finally met the neighbor I’ve only waved at for two years. I actually introduced myself”for two years. I actually introduced myself”

Table ministry – being in the neighborhood, Table ministry – being in the neighborhood, having dinner together for the sake of having dinner together for the sake of having dinner together. Welcoming the having dinner together. Welcoming the other into sacred space.other into sacred space.


““Now I stop to talk and listen to Now I stop to talk and listen to another neighbor, an older man with another neighbor, an older man with few teeth, when he’s out with his dog. few teeth, when he’s out with his dog. I think he doesn’t get too many I think he doesn’t get too many people to listen to him, and he loves people to listen to him, and he loves to talk.”to talk.”

Ordinary Attempts Practice GuideOrdinary Attempts Practice Guide

Ask someone “how are you?” – and then Ask someone “how are you?” – and then actually listen.actually listen.

Pray for people “behind their backs” and tell Pray for people “behind their backs” and tell them later.them later.

Ask a tip sensitive server in a restaurant Ask a tip sensitive server in a restaurant about his or her life outside of work.about his or her life outside of work.

Listen to someone, anyone. Listen to someone, anyone.

Give away a little money.Give away a little money.

Think small. Don’t change the world, just Think small. Don’t change the world, just change something.change something.

Say “wow”. Make a big deal out of small Say “wow”. Make a big deal out of small stuff.stuff.

Do what’s doable. It’s all you’re going to do Do what’s doable. It’s all you’re going to do anyway.anyway.

Count what matters. Conversations, not Count what matters. Conversations, not conversions.conversions.

Be yourself. It will intrigue people. Be yourself. It will intrigue people.

Henri NouwenHenri Nouwen

““When you are aware that you are the beloved, When you are aware that you are the beloved, and when you have friends around you with and when you have friends around you with whom you live in commuity, you can do whom you live in commuity, you can do anything.anything.

You’re not afraid anymore. You’re not afraid to You’re not afraid anymore. You’re not afraid to knock on the door while somebody’s dying. knock on the door while somebody’s dying. You’re not afraid to open a discussion with a You’re not afraid to open a discussion with a person who underneath all the glitter is much in person who underneath all the glitter is much in need of ministry. You’re free.”need of ministry. You’re free.”

1 John 4:71 John 4:7

Dear Friends,Dear Friends,

Let us practice loving one Let us practice loving one another, for love comes another, for love comes from God and those who are from God and those who are loving and kind show that loving and kind show that they are the children of God.they are the children of God.

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