This is the fourth and final installment in this series. Enjoy!
Tools
When I was in fourth grade, my Dad and I built a soapbox derby. As an imaginative kid, I had a vision in my head of how this process was going to work and what the pieces and parts were going to look like. The kit we received from the organization included all the necessary hardware and a shopping list – so we headed off to the lumber yard. Had the shopping trip gone like I imagined, we would have had a trailer full of large boards and metal peices to pull home that day – after all we were building an entire car! I was both perplexed and disappointed when the largest pieces we bought were a sheet of 4x8 plywood to cut the sides and top of the car and one 2x16 board for the base of the car. Everything we got that day fit in the back of Dad’s truck! The reality of what we needed was much simpler that my over-active imagination made it out to be.
Starting as early as Jr. High School, I have been taught, practiced, and worked though more techniques, methods and sure fire tools for gospel presentations and personal evangelism than I can recall. From the relationship evangelism style of Young Life to the mall surveys that were an assignment in a personal evangelism class, I have seen and used a broad range of tools of the trade. There are four elements that I have found constant necessities regardless of the context or approach to sharing the gospel.
1) The Word of God. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”2 Timothy 3:14-17
As discussed above, a passion for God’s Word is a key element in developing a passion for evangelism. Having it nested firmly in your toolbox, however takes interest in the scriptures from a passion to a practice. As we undertake the process of evangelism, we need to be grounded in what God has to say about key issues such as sin and salvation, heaven and hell, and life and death. Understanding what the Bible teaches on these topics does not require an in depth knowledge of the doctrinal history of each issue. The goal of understanding is to provide a base knowledge of the truth we seek to communicate and a filter we can use to sort out false doctrines we may encounter as we broach spiritual topics with an unbelieving, ungrounded world.
2) Prayer. “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” I Thessalonians 3:1
“Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” Romans 10:1
While this may feel painfully obvious, it is often a most neglected tool in the evangelism process. Prayer is our opportunity to quiet our minds to things of this world and refocus our thoughts and sensitivity to God and His will. While prayer for general efforts in evangelism is never a bad idea, there are several specifics that should be at the forefront of our prayers.
· Pray for specific opportunities that are part of your natural course of life: a PTA meeting, an office picnic, etc.
· Pray for specific people in your life. It may even be beneficial to develop a list of the top ten or top five people God has put on your heart to be on regular alert for outreach opportunities.
· Pray for protection and stamina. Engaging in the act of evangelism is something our spiritual enemies will not take lightly; rest assured that the deceiver will be at his best to thwart our efforts. Evangelism is one of several activities that move a person from religious defense – just trying to live a good life and not do wrong things – to spiritual offense – proactively seeking to take new ground in our lives as well as the life of others for the sake of Christ.
3) Your Testimony. “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.” 1 Corinthians 2: 1-5
Your testimony is the story of the specific events leading up to your personal decision to follow Christ. This is your account of the change that God made in your life and is longing to make in the life of every unbeliever. You should be able to share your testimony in less than five minuets, support your claims about the process in your life with scripture, and include an example of how the change that took place at that moment continues to impact your life today. The goal of your testimony is to share with an unbeliever that you understand and have experienced first hand the truth that is revealed in scripture. This is often, but not always, a good time to invite a person to experience God’s love in a personal way by accepting Christ as their savior. The timing for this invitation is something to you will need to look to the Holy Spirit for prompting toward. Don’t assume that it’s your job to make this happen. The work in the heart of a person is something we have no control over, no matter how persuasive, convincing or knowledgeable we may be.
4) Your Story. “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:4-9
In contrast to your testimony, your story about more than the moment you received Christ; it is a collection of experiences and events in your life that demonstrate God’s faithfulness or support your claims to his truth. Paul pulled from his history in the Jewish culture and traditions to lend credibility to his claims. In a similar way, your story pulls from your personal experience. It is not about your spiritual or personal success. On the contrary, your story may leave you in a very open, vulnerable and consequently uncomfortable place. Paul does not set out his religious qualifications as a way to elevate himself, but rather to show his once misguided reliance on religious tradition.
You should be able to share your story in short slices, making them relevant to a specific context. For example, if you grew up in a broken home, you may relate that part of your story to an unbeliever who is dealing with their own kids through a divorce. You may have lost a job, experienced the death of a parent or close friend, been on a mission trip or built a house with a neighbor. Nothing is off limits. Anywhere you have been, anything you have experienced that points your life closer to God is worthy of your story.
In spite of my delusions of grandeur, we did get that car built and had several successful runs down the track (and one not-so-successful, but that’s another story!) By keeping the big picture in perspective and following the lead of those who have made a few trips down that mountain, we can set ourselves up with the right tools for the right opportunities to share God’s truth as He leads us through our daily lives.
While we are not all called to pursue a vocation of Christian ministry, every believer is called be a minister to the world in which we live, work and play. Left to our own random efforts, evangelism will be become a “by-the-way” activity that we occasionally embrace. With minimal effort and deliberateness, any believer can adopt a lifestyle that fulfills our biblical mandate to be an everyday evangelist.
It’s Time to Go
Since the beginning of this year at our home church here in North Texas, our pastors have ended our Sunday services with a challenge to “live it forward.” While a traditional “benediction” (literally meaning “to speak good thoughts or blessings”) marks the end of a service, this challenge reminds us that when we walk out the door we are continuing a process – one that involves more doing than speaking and doesn’t always fit into our plans and schedules, but one that God himself has set into motion and has ultimate control over. As everyday evangelists – Christians seeking honor God in our hearts and use the tools he has giving us to make the most of every opportunity – it is our calling to seek God daily and consciously bow our will to His.
I’m still sitting in the study looking out the window and there are still people walking by. Our community is no different that every other community across our country and around our world: it’s full of people who need to experience and know the tangible love of our God and His risen Son!
I think its time to turn off the computer, go outside and say “hello”!
July 10, 2008
July 1, 2008
Everyday Evangelists Part 3: Opportunity
(This is part three of a four part series. Parts 1 & 2 are posted in the June Archives.)
Opportunity
When my wife and I were married, I did what every red-blooded American man should do: I registered at The Home Depot. While I was sure to include the big-ticket items – a table saw, lawnmower, etc - I also included several small tools that I knew my closest friends could afford. A friend of my parents, who had been a general contractor for thirty plus years, got a hold of the list and, in his own words, “took some liberties with my selections.” Instead of the inexpensive pack of screwdrivers I had on the list, he presented me with a vintage set of forged tools (which I still use on a regular basis), and instead of the light hammer I had on the list, he gave me a heavy framing hammer, forged from a single piece of steel. While this is a great tool – one I doubt I could even buy today – it sits idle in my tool box for one simple reason: I have never framed a house!
If I ever want to but my framing hammer to use, I will need to go out of my way to find a frame to build. If we want to pour out our hearts and use our tools for outreach, we need to either find or create opportunities to do so! From my experience in intentionally reaching out in our communities, there are two ways opportunities present themselves: they cross our paths as we go through the course of our everyday lives or we plan them in advance and intentionally prepare to be productive in specific areas. Furthermore, a key essential to fostering opportunities for outreach involves a deliberate step out of our comfortable church circles. (As I said, these are my observations from my life and experience, so there is not scripture attached to each of these points.)
1) As life brings it. Drawing from my hammer illustration, I can think of a few situations that I might need a framing hammer along the course of life. Living on the edge of tornado alley, the reality that a twister could tear through our neighborhood with little warning is ever present. If that should happen and I find myself with neighbors in need of shelter or need to clean up the wreckage left in the wake of the storm, I know I have a tool in my box that will be valuable.
The same is true with opportunities for outreach: live long enough and they will present themselves. Every new person we meet, every pot-luck dinner we attend and kids sporting event we watch presents a chance to interact with people who may have never been adequately exposed to the gospel. With the right tools in your toolbox, you will be prepared to take advantage of these opportunities as life brings them your way.
2) As you bring it into life. While I am a big fan of being prepared for what ever comes along, simply having a tool in the box does not make one a craftsman. While being prepared for opportunities when they arise is important, it is just as valuable to proactively create opportunities to engage the un-churched. This could be as simple as inviting several neighbors over for a cook-out or as organized as gathering with other believers to hand out free popsicles in a park on a hot summer day.
3) Stepping out of the Holy Huddle. While it is essential to a healthy Christian life to be grounded in fellowship with other believers, it is not at all realistic to expect to have an active evangelistic life if we limit our social, business and civic encounters to those within our spiritual circles. If the world is to know us as Christians by the love we share, we have to be in close enough proximity to them for it to rub off!
The proactive measures we take as believers to create opportunities for interaction with non-Christians are the first steps in moving simple relational evangelism to a more strategic endeavor. Maximizing our evangelistic energy comes when we couple those efforts with the appropriate knowledge of God’s word and sensitivity to God’s will.
Next Post: Tools
Opportunity
When my wife and I were married, I did what every red-blooded American man should do: I registered at The Home Depot. While I was sure to include the big-ticket items – a table saw, lawnmower, etc - I also included several small tools that I knew my closest friends could afford. A friend of my parents, who had been a general contractor for thirty plus years, got a hold of the list and, in his own words, “took some liberties with my selections.” Instead of the inexpensive pack of screwdrivers I had on the list, he presented me with a vintage set of forged tools (which I still use on a regular basis), and instead of the light hammer I had on the list, he gave me a heavy framing hammer, forged from a single piece of steel. While this is a great tool – one I doubt I could even buy today – it sits idle in my tool box for one simple reason: I have never framed a house!
If I ever want to but my framing hammer to use, I will need to go out of my way to find a frame to build. If we want to pour out our hearts and use our tools for outreach, we need to either find or create opportunities to do so! From my experience in intentionally reaching out in our communities, there are two ways opportunities present themselves: they cross our paths as we go through the course of our everyday lives or we plan them in advance and intentionally prepare to be productive in specific areas. Furthermore, a key essential to fostering opportunities for outreach involves a deliberate step out of our comfortable church circles. (As I said, these are my observations from my life and experience, so there is not scripture attached to each of these points.)
1) As life brings it. Drawing from my hammer illustration, I can think of a few situations that I might need a framing hammer along the course of life. Living on the edge of tornado alley, the reality that a twister could tear through our neighborhood with little warning is ever present. If that should happen and I find myself with neighbors in need of shelter or need to clean up the wreckage left in the wake of the storm, I know I have a tool in my box that will be valuable.
The same is true with opportunities for outreach: live long enough and they will present themselves. Every new person we meet, every pot-luck dinner we attend and kids sporting event we watch presents a chance to interact with people who may have never been adequately exposed to the gospel. With the right tools in your toolbox, you will be prepared to take advantage of these opportunities as life brings them your way.
2) As you bring it into life. While I am a big fan of being prepared for what ever comes along, simply having a tool in the box does not make one a craftsman. While being prepared for opportunities when they arise is important, it is just as valuable to proactively create opportunities to engage the un-churched. This could be as simple as inviting several neighbors over for a cook-out or as organized as gathering with other believers to hand out free popsicles in a park on a hot summer day.
3) Stepping out of the Holy Huddle. While it is essential to a healthy Christian life to be grounded in fellowship with other believers, it is not at all realistic to expect to have an active evangelistic life if we limit our social, business and civic encounters to those within our spiritual circles. If the world is to know us as Christians by the love we share, we have to be in close enough proximity to them for it to rub off!
The proactive measures we take as believers to create opportunities for interaction with non-Christians are the first steps in moving simple relational evangelism to a more strategic endeavor. Maximizing our evangelistic energy comes when we couple those efforts with the appropriate knowledge of God’s word and sensitivity to God’s will.
Next Post: Tools
June 24, 2008
Everyday Evangelists Part 2: Heart
(If you havn't read the first part, you might want to do that or this may not make much sense!)
Heart
I would venture to say that in the history of film there has not been a character that shows more heart and passion for a person, a cause and a country than William Wallace in Braveheart. His love for Scotland, the drive that came from a desire to avenge the lives of his wife, father, brother and hundreds of others pushed him to be a creative problem solver, a charismatic leader and fierce warrior. When a person has a big heart, it’s obvious – it shows in the decisions they make, the words they choose and lives they lead.
The question in evangelism is not so much about having passion, but rather about where we need to focus our passion. Three areas come to mind – there are probably more, but we are limited on space here!
1) A Passion for Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
I can always tell my daughter’s latest crush simply by counting the number of times a particular name comes up in conversation. When someone is on her mind, she talks about him – even if she tries not to, the name works its way into everyday conversation. When we develop a passion for Christ – truly living by faith in him and dying to ourselves - talking about him will be as natural as discussing Saturday’s ball game or our favorite fishing hole.
2) A Passion for People. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” I John 4:7-8
In the evangelism process, we have to see the people around us, believers and unbelievers alike, a more than just territory to be conquered. Each and every soul we encounter has a story. Our aim in evangelism is not to abduct them from their current life and place them as drones into ours. Our goal is to introduce them to the Author of all life, and in doing so help them see the fullness of life that they are missing. If we focus so much on the religion of Christianity that we miss the people that are, and will become Christ followers, we rob our neighbors of the full extent of God’s power unleashed uniquely in each believer’s life. The only way we can remove our own bias is by loving people more than processes and by having more faith in the God who gives life than in our own limited experience of life. With these priorities in line, God will unleash in us a passion for people that will become contagious!
3) A Passion for the Word of God. “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long; Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me; I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes; I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts; I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word; I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me; How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth; I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.” Psalm 119:92-104
God’s Word is our primary source for knowing him, understanding His desire to relate to His people, and learning how to relate to them. The more we know the word, the stronger our passion for people will become. As we devote ourselves to God’s word, letting it become ingrained in every expression of our lives, it will begin to takeover our hearts, overflow from our lives, and spill out onto everyone around us. His passion will become our passion. Our will becomes less and His will takes over.
Of the three elements up for discussion, “heart” is perhaps the most elusive. Western culture tends to view our passions as inalienably connected to our personalities to the extent that we believe the issue of heart or passion is relegated to the same category as those “new tricks” we can’t teach an “old dog.” While there is some truth to this, the greater truth is that God is in the heart changing business. Effective evangelism and outreach begins with a heart that is broken, submissive to God and ready to be remolded in His image, taking on the passions of our God as our own.
Heart
I would venture to say that in the history of film there has not been a character that shows more heart and passion for a person, a cause and a country than William Wallace in Braveheart. His love for Scotland, the drive that came from a desire to avenge the lives of his wife, father, brother and hundreds of others pushed him to be a creative problem solver, a charismatic leader and fierce warrior. When a person has a big heart, it’s obvious – it shows in the decisions they make, the words they choose and lives they lead.
The question in evangelism is not so much about having passion, but rather about where we need to focus our passion. Three areas come to mind – there are probably more, but we are limited on space here!
1) A Passion for Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
I can always tell my daughter’s latest crush simply by counting the number of times a particular name comes up in conversation. When someone is on her mind, she talks about him – even if she tries not to, the name works its way into everyday conversation. When we develop a passion for Christ – truly living by faith in him and dying to ourselves - talking about him will be as natural as discussing Saturday’s ball game or our favorite fishing hole.
2) A Passion for People. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” I John 4:7-8
In the evangelism process, we have to see the people around us, believers and unbelievers alike, a more than just territory to be conquered. Each and every soul we encounter has a story. Our aim in evangelism is not to abduct them from their current life and place them as drones into ours. Our goal is to introduce them to the Author of all life, and in doing so help them see the fullness of life that they are missing. If we focus so much on the religion of Christianity that we miss the people that are, and will become Christ followers, we rob our neighbors of the full extent of God’s power unleashed uniquely in each believer’s life. The only way we can remove our own bias is by loving people more than processes and by having more faith in the God who gives life than in our own limited experience of life. With these priorities in line, God will unleash in us a passion for people that will become contagious!
3) A Passion for the Word of God. “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long; Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me; I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes; I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts; I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word; I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me; How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth; I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.” Psalm 119:92-104
God’s Word is our primary source for knowing him, understanding His desire to relate to His people, and learning how to relate to them. The more we know the word, the stronger our passion for people will become. As we devote ourselves to God’s word, letting it become ingrained in every expression of our lives, it will begin to takeover our hearts, overflow from our lives, and spill out onto everyone around us. His passion will become our passion. Our will becomes less and His will takes over.
Of the three elements up for discussion, “heart” is perhaps the most elusive. Western culture tends to view our passions as inalienably connected to our personalities to the extent that we believe the issue of heart or passion is relegated to the same category as those “new tricks” we can’t teach an “old dog.” While there is some truth to this, the greater truth is that God is in the heart changing business. Effective evangelism and outreach begins with a heart that is broken, submissive to God and ready to be remolded in His image, taking on the passions of our God as our own.
June 19, 2008
Everyday Evangelists
While I have been looking for a new job/ministry, I have taken some time to focus on putting some of my thoughts on evangelism and personal ministry down on paper (at least the virtual equivalent of paper!) This first post is just an introduction to the first article, which I'll post in 3-4 parts. I would love your feedback either here or on my facebook wall! Enjoy:
Everyday Evangelists
By Bryan Buchleiter
Summer is just around the corner and already the BBQ’s are blazing, the sidewalks are sizzling and mowers are churning. Sitting in my study looking out the front window, I notice something I have not seen in about 7 months – people. People who have been holed up in well lit indoor spaces surviving the short days and cold nights of winter, eager for some sort of personal interaction with anyone and everyone who is willing to take the time to stop and talk, eat or play with the kids.
Not only are the social muscles aching from a winter of apathy, but for many believers, the evangelism muscles are begging to be stretched. Youth mission trips, week long camps and special outings all mark the hot-bed of the peak evangelism season in America – second perhaps only to the emotional swell that comes around the holidays. This is the time of year where people are out, engaged and ready to relate. This is the opportunity meet them where they are with the Love of God. This is what the evangelism class during the spring semester has prepared faithful churchgoers for, this is why you stocked up on gospel tracks, this is why you memorized the four spiritual laws, this…is usually where, despite your best intentions, your outreach efforts come to a screeching halt.
One of two things usually happens: our schedules get in the way or we get in our own way. We remember that summer back in 1989 when laid out the Roman Road for a high school buddy, and never spoke to each other again. We remember standing on a Chicago street corner having tracks thrown back in our face (and then blown across Michigan Avenue to the chorus of a dozen honking cabbies). We also remember the neighbor we have known for several years now but never broken any spiritual barriers, or the co-worker that invites us out the lake every weekend and comes back Monday with the hangover to prove what a “good-time” he had.
In short our lives are a web of a message without relationships and relationships without a message. There is a cycle here that is the evangelistic equivalent of a typhoon surging through our mental landscape. The good news is that our early detection system is intact. We know what is on the horizon we can be ready for what lies ahead. Our aim is to be intentional in our relationships for the sake of the gospel.
Evangelism Defined: again.
If you are looking for a definition of evangelism you need not look too far. There is no shortage of texts on the subject at every level of interest, for everyone from the seminarian to the newest believer. For the sake of discussion, however, I’m going to use the following definition: Evangelism at its heart is a process in which an individual with a passion for something persuasively communicates that passion to another person. While such a simple definition might shatter some preconceived thoughts that evangelism is a heady activity for the well training theocrat, (I didn’t even have to look up any words to spell when I wrote it!), its practicality and application are anything but simple. It takes a myriad of assumptions to translate that definition into the life of an individual believer. Are believers consistently passionate about their faith? Do they know how to communicate what they are passionate about? Do they have relationships with people that need to hear it? And the list goes on and on.
In an effort to apply this basic definition of evangelism and address these assumptions, we need to light a fire in our souls. Once the fire is burning H.O.T., consider the following:
Heart
+ Opportunity
+ Tools
Impact
Granted, formulas for the process of evangelism are almost as common as definitions, but my prayer is that by exploring these three concepts we can see evangelism as not only theoretically simple, but also it in a practical context.
Next Post: "Heart"
Everyday Evangelists
By Bryan Buchleiter
Summer is just around the corner and already the BBQ’s are blazing, the sidewalks are sizzling and mowers are churning. Sitting in my study looking out the front window, I notice something I have not seen in about 7 months – people. People who have been holed up in well lit indoor spaces surviving the short days and cold nights of winter, eager for some sort of personal interaction with anyone and everyone who is willing to take the time to stop and talk, eat or play with the kids.
Not only are the social muscles aching from a winter of apathy, but for many believers, the evangelism muscles are begging to be stretched. Youth mission trips, week long camps and special outings all mark the hot-bed of the peak evangelism season in America – second perhaps only to the emotional swell that comes around the holidays. This is the time of year where people are out, engaged and ready to relate. This is the opportunity meet them where they are with the Love of God. This is what the evangelism class during the spring semester has prepared faithful churchgoers for, this is why you stocked up on gospel tracks, this is why you memorized the four spiritual laws, this…is usually where, despite your best intentions, your outreach efforts come to a screeching halt.
One of two things usually happens: our schedules get in the way or we get in our own way. We remember that summer back in 1989 when laid out the Roman Road for a high school buddy, and never spoke to each other again. We remember standing on a Chicago street corner having tracks thrown back in our face (and then blown across Michigan Avenue to the chorus of a dozen honking cabbies). We also remember the neighbor we have known for several years now but never broken any spiritual barriers, or the co-worker that invites us out the lake every weekend and comes back Monday with the hangover to prove what a “good-time” he had.
In short our lives are a web of a message without relationships and relationships without a message. There is a cycle here that is the evangelistic equivalent of a typhoon surging through our mental landscape. The good news is that our early detection system is intact. We know what is on the horizon we can be ready for what lies ahead. Our aim is to be intentional in our relationships for the sake of the gospel.
Evangelism Defined: again.
If you are looking for a definition of evangelism you need not look too far. There is no shortage of texts on the subject at every level of interest, for everyone from the seminarian to the newest believer. For the sake of discussion, however, I’m going to use the following definition: Evangelism at its heart is a process in which an individual with a passion for something persuasively communicates that passion to another person. While such a simple definition might shatter some preconceived thoughts that evangelism is a heady activity for the well training theocrat, (I didn’t even have to look up any words to spell when I wrote it!), its practicality and application are anything but simple. It takes a myriad of assumptions to translate that definition into the life of an individual believer. Are believers consistently passionate about their faith? Do they know how to communicate what they are passionate about? Do they have relationships with people that need to hear it? And the list goes on and on.
In an effort to apply this basic definition of evangelism and address these assumptions, we need to light a fire in our souls. Once the fire is burning H.O.T., consider the following:
Heart
+ Opportunity
+ Tools
Impact
Granted, formulas for the process of evangelism are almost as common as definitions, but my prayer is that by exploring these three concepts we can see evangelism as not only theoretically simple, but also it in a practical context.
Next Post: "Heart"
January 1, 2008
2007 Update!
The whole point of this blog is to keep in touch with friends and family who support and pray for us on a regular (or even semi-regular) basis!. So, as we kick off the New Year we thought it would be helpful to give some updates on what God is doing in our lives. Since that covers a bunch of territory, this post is a bit longer than we will usually throw at you, so sit back with a cuppa joe and lets get reacquainted!
Neighborhood Life
We have been both amazed and blessed by what has been happening here at Chadwick Farms. There are now about 300 homes in the neighborhood. We have enjoyed getting to know many of our neighbors at our regular community events. Here are some recent highlights:
On The Career Front
For the past three years, Bryan has served at the Apartment Life (AL) Support Center in various capacities, most recently as the Director of Recruiting and the Director of Neighborhood Life (NL). This past August AL made some strategic shifts and put a hold on the development of NL. Combined with fundraising shortfalls, this move led to the elimination of Bryan's position. At the same time a long term project that Meryal had been directing to encourage church partnerships with AL was terminated. The net result was that we were both suddenly without income.
AL was able to offer a severance package that carried us to the end of October. Also, David Weekley has continued to support our work as a CARES Team with Neighborhood Life which provides a monthly housing stipend. All added up – we have been blessed with many ways to walk in faith and allow God to show His unique provisions. (see the post “The Blessings of Neighbors”)
There are several possibilities for new income/career tracks. Updates on that front will be the subject of further blog postings in the very near future!
On the Family Front
We are in the middle of birthday season and when all is said and done we will be 13, 8 and 3. Mom and Dad of course will not be aging the slightest bit this year!
On the Horizon
When we learned that AL was going to be making some strategic shifts and not continue developing NL, both of us had the same feeling that God was not finished developing this exciting community based outreach model. As we continue to pray and seek God guidance, we are developing a plan that we believe is going to provide a valuable resource to individuals with a heart for "living intentionally for eternity". That’s L.I.F.E. is our working name for this new venture. Please join us in praying for God's affirmation, direction, and financial provision as we strive to be obeidient to this calling. Keep an eye out for future updates and developments on this ministry.
A Paulesque Conclusion
Say what you want about the apostle Paul, but the man knew how to write a letter (OK – that whole ‘Holy Spirit’ inspired thing sure helps). But borrowing from his style… We truly thank God for each of you. The prayers, words of encouragement, gifts and other blessings we receive from you are literally God’s instruments of peace and strength for our lives.
As we seek to be faithful to His calling, there is nothing more valuable than being surrounded by men and women of faith who urge us on and hold us accountable to the path God has laid before us.
Please let us know how we can be praying for you and your families as we all look forward to great things in the coming year.
Neighborhood Life
We have been both amazed and blessed by what has been happening here at Chadwick Farms. There are now about 300 homes in the neighborhood. We have enjoyed getting to know many of our neighbors at our regular community events. Here are some recent highlights:
- About fifteen women have been meeting this fall to look at Proverbs 31 through a book called “Feminine Appeal” by Carolyn Mahaney. They will continue next semester with a Bible study by Beth More.
- We had a big fun with our “Pumpkin Patch Party.” Trapped in the neighborhood by traffic from the Texas Motor Speedway, we obtained a permit to close one of our main thoroughfares and had games, races and snacks for young and old alike. We had great attendance for the event and were blessed when over 30 families volunteered to help make it all happen!
- In November we kicked off a Life Group in the Neighborhood as we worked through Bill Hybels book, “Living Beyond Myself.” Our prayer is that this group will expand this winter as we study Gary Chapman’s “Five Love Languages.”
On The Career Front
For the past three years, Bryan has served at the Apartment Life (AL) Support Center in various capacities, most recently as the Director of Recruiting and the Director of Neighborhood Life (NL). This past August AL made some strategic shifts and put a hold on the development of NL. Combined with fundraising shortfalls, this move led to the elimination of Bryan's position. At the same time a long term project that Meryal had been directing to encourage church partnerships with AL was terminated. The net result was that we were both suddenly without income.
AL was able to offer a severance package that carried us to the end of October. Also, David Weekley has continued to support our work as a CARES Team with Neighborhood Life which provides a monthly housing stipend. All added up – we have been blessed with many ways to walk in faith and allow God to show His unique provisions. (see the post “The Blessings of Neighbors”)
There are several possibilities for new income/career tracks. Updates on that front will be the subject of further blog postings in the very near future!
On the Family Front
- Doodle Bug has been active in her middle school cheerleading program and very busy getting ready to be a teenager. She also serves with the children’s ministry at our church and is cutting her teeth in the baby-sitting business for a few families in the neighborhood.
- Tater Bug has enjoyed getting started in Karate (he earned his Yellow Belt this fall), learning chess with the chess club at the elementary school, and collecting Star Wars figurines with some other kids in the neighborhood.
- Sugar Bug loves hanging out with friends at preschool and church. She is very busy most days hosting tea parties for Care Bears, taking cares of her “babies” or coming up with new ideas which are usually announced with “Hey guys, I have a great idea!”
We are in the middle of birthday season and when all is said and done we will be 13, 8 and 3. Mom and Dad of course will not be aging the slightest bit this year!
On the Horizon
When we learned that AL was going to be making some strategic shifts and not continue developing NL, both of us had the same feeling that God was not finished developing this exciting community based outreach model. As we continue to pray and seek God guidance, we are developing a plan that we believe is going to provide a valuable resource to individuals with a heart for "living intentionally for eternity". That’s L.I.F.E. is our working name for this new venture. Please join us in praying for God's affirmation, direction, and financial provision as we strive to be obeidient to this calling. Keep an eye out for future updates and developments on this ministry.
A Paulesque Conclusion
Say what you want about the apostle Paul, but the man knew how to write a letter (OK – that whole ‘Holy Spirit’ inspired thing sure helps). But borrowing from his style… We truly thank God for each of you. The prayers, words of encouragement, gifts and other blessings we receive from you are literally God’s instruments of peace and strength for our lives.
As we seek to be faithful to His calling, there is nothing more valuable than being surrounded by men and women of faith who urge us on and hold us accountable to the path God has laid before us.
Please let us know how we can be praying for you and your families as we all look forward to great things in the coming year.
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