MISSIONAL IMPLICATIONSDIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

BISHOP’S CONFERENCE

Canon Neal Michell

Pre-Constantinian Apostolic Age

The Welcoming Church

The Biblical Model: People of God in Exile Jeremiah 29:7Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH:

A. Our Missional Worldview Must

Change Three Worldviews of Mission for

Anglicanism 1.Chaplains to the Culture2.Chaplains to the Past3.Ancient/Future Missioners

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH B. Our focus on Ministry within the church must change.1. From an internal focus to an external focus• How do we measure the impact of the

church on our community?• What is the reputation of your church in

your community?Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

−Jeremiah 29:7

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH B. Our focus on Ministry within the church must change.2. From Developing Programs to Developing

People3. We need to change the word “church” from

a noun to a verb.

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

−Jeremiah 29:7

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH C. Our Target Population Must Change

1. You cannot build your congregation on the “new Episcopalians that have moved into the area.” You have to build your congregation on their own vision and values and not on the denominational identification

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH C. Our Target Population Must Change

2. The Good News is that the Post-denominational values will make it easier for people to consider the Episcopal Church. The Not-so-Good News is that it also makes it easier for people to find church homes elsewhere.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH C. Our Target Population Must Change

3. It used to be that you could manage an Episcopal church really poorly and it would still grow; now, you can run an Episcopal church really well and watch it decline.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCHD. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change1. From doctrine as the primary message to

story-telling.• People aren’t impressed that you are an

Anglican. They will be more impressed by how you live your life. (Word to Self: Your LIFE is the primary story.)

They will be more drawn by your personal faith story than what church you go to.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCHD. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change• People are looking more and more for a

church that makes a difference in the world around them, iow, fosters missions and outreach involvement.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCHD. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change

Web Site—must communicate to both parishioners and seekers. Four targets: Our own church members. Disaffected church members from other

churches. Christians moving into the area looking for

a church Non-Christians in the community

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCHD. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change

Web Site—must communicate to both parishioners and seekers. • People under 40 are looking for a

virtual experience of your church.• What does your church “feel” like for

the newcomer?• A word about music . . .

NB, An out of date website is worse than no website at all.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCHD. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change

A word about preaching . . .• Story of the Hot Air Balloon• Three types of Learners

1) Auditory2) Visual3) Kinesthetic

NB, if you preach only one kind of sermon, you’re missing a large portion of your congregation!

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCHE. Our Locus for Evangelism Must Change

• Under Christendom, the church was a positive place to gather. Not so anymore. People no longer trust churches or Christians. So . . .

• Not ATTRACTION (to the church building) but INCARNATION (where they are).

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCHE. Our Locus for Evangelism Must Change

Question: What are the natural gathering places in this day and age?• Starbucks?• Malls?• Neighborhoods?• Offices?• Mission trips• Social Ministry Outreaches

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCHCongregational evangelism – Christendom or New Apostolic?

Bible studies at work Conversations with the rector at Starbucks. Alpha Via Media “Theology on Tap” at a local pub. Home Eucharists: invite lapsed Catholics House and Business Blessings Honor the School Teachers at Church Sunday Passing out Tracts Blessing of the Animals

@ Church?@ PetSmart

Invite a friend to church Adopt an Elementary School

Exercise Gather with people from your church and make a list of the activities that your church is involved in. • Assess how many are internally focused

and how many are externally focused.• Determine the number of people involved

in each ministry and then compute the percentage of your members involved in internally focused ministries and externally focused ministries.