Harold D. Lewis, Sr. Director of the Multi-Cultural and Justice Ministries Florida Conference UMC I AM BECAUSE WE ARE - WE ARE BECAUSE I AM!

OUR GOALS FOR TODAY  To IMPRESS upon you the URGENCY of EVANGELISM in America  Accessing Your Current Evangelism Ministry  Snapshot of Evangelism  Three TYPES of EVANGELSIM  Snapshot of Mono and Multi-Culturalism  Mandate for MULTI-CULTURAL EVANGELISM  You TAKE-AWAY at least ONE NEW NUGGET of KNOWLEDGE about MULTI- CULTURAL EVANGELISM

The State of the Church in America America is clearly becoming more and more: Less Christian Less Evangelized Less Churched 1.CHURCHES all across America are DYING. 2.The number of CHURCHED PEOPLE is declining. 3.The number of CULTS and NON-CHRISTIAN groups is growing.

THE GROWTH OF CULTS and NON-CHRISTIAN GROUPS THE MORMONS ,789, ,321,416

THE GROWTH OF CULTS and NON-CHRISTIAN GROUPS THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES , ,860,000

THE GROWTH OF CULTS and NON-CHRISTIAN GROUPS THE MUSLIMS , ,750,000

THE GROWTH OF CULTS and NON-CHRISTIAN GROUPS THE BUDDISTS , ,190,000

THE GROWTH OF CULTS and NON-CHRISTIAN GROUPS THE WICCANS , ,000

WHAT IS EVANGELISM? Evangelism is the sharing of the GOSPEL MESSAGE or the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. The English word “evangelism” comes from the Greek word euaggelion which in the verb tense means to “announce” or “bring good news.”

EVANGELISM CHECK-UP How Healthy is Your Evangelism Ministry?

MANDATE FOR EVANGELISM? But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.“ Acts 1:8

Three Kinds of Evangelism 1. PRESENCE EVANGELISM Believers evangelize by living God-honoring lives before unbelievers. When believers reflect the character of Christ, they are witnessing the gospel.

Three Kinds of Evangelism 2. PROCLAMATION EVANGELISM Believers make the good news of Jesus Christ clearly known so that unbelievers can understand it. The gospel is proclaim in the power of the Holy Spirit and the results are left to God.

Three Kinds of Evangelism 3. PERSUASION EVANGELISM Believers motivate the unbelievers to respond to the proclaimed Word of God. If the process of proclaiming the gospel is effective, the unsaved is compelled to come to Christ.

93% of Catholics and Protestants Churches in the United States are classifies as MONO-RACIAL. Meaning 80% or more of the members who attend these churches are of the same ethnicity or race.

 Mark 3:7-8 – During His ministry Jesus reached out to Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans and Romans.  Matthew 28:19 – The Great Commission commands us to make disciples of “all nations.”  Acts 2 – At the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jews and Gentiles from various places gathered to hear the gospel.

Studies are showing that by the year 2050, the dominant people group in the United States will be BROWN skin. Studies are also concluding that this generation prefer multi-cultural settings versus “mon-cultural” settings. In other words, this generation is seeking a church that represents the make-up of society.

Our Wesleyan Tradition was founded upon the evangelical zeal directed toward the lower classes, the poor, and the dispossessed. John Wesley preached the gospel of salvation to the miners, day laborers, and those who worked in factories in the slums of London. John Wesley also baptized his first two Black converts on November 29, 1758 and received them into the Methodist movement.

There is no greater tool for MULTI- CULTURAL EVANGELISM than the witness of diverse believers walking, working, and worshipping God together as one in and through the local church.

EVANGELISM FOR MULTI-CULTURAL IMPACT

What is CULTURE? Culture is the lens that we view the world through. When we think of culture we often think of the tip of the ICEBERG elements, such as race, age, gender, dress, food, etc. Yet, the majority of culture is hidden from view and is represented on a much deeper level.

I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). NOTE: Paul’s strategy of cultural evangelism was to immerse himself in the culture to gain an entrance for the gospel. He went along with the customs of the culture as long as they did NOT violate his walk with Christ or the commandments of God.

Cultural Sharing Exercise 1.How do you identify yourself racially, ethnically, and culturally? 2.Describe your class background while growing up? Currently? 3.Name one thing you like about your culture. What is something you don’t like about your culture? 4.How might your cultural background help you in evangelizing the gospel? How might it hinder you?

ENCULTURATION Your Sphere of Influence Thoughts ActionsWords Perceptions Beliefs Experiences

ENCULTURATION Your Sphere of Influence T W A

 Values  Beliefs  Feelings  Attitudes  Opinions  Behaviors  Treatment  Relationships  Communications  Worldview  Stories  Climate  Shared Values  Unwritten Rules  Media  Public Opinion  Symbolic/Ritual  Group Dynamics  Norms  Policies  Practices  Rules  Procedures  Systems

WHAT IS THE MULTI-CULTUAL DNA OF YOUR COMMUNITY Know your community’s DEMOGRAPHICS Know your community’s PSYCHO-GRAPHICS

AVOID UNINTENDED EXCLUSION Them In Us

Multi-Cultural Inclusion: We Are One

Brokering Multi-Cultural Relationships Connecting Contributing Celebrating

FIVE CRTICAL QUESTIONS TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE A MULTI-CULTURAL COMMUNITY 1. What is the MISSION of your church? The mission statement must answer the question “Why you do what you do?”

FIVE CRTICAL QUESTIONS TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE A MULTI-CULTURAL COMMUNITY 2. Who is in the TARGET MARKET of your church? Who are the primary people you are trying to reach [Mission-Insite Data]. YOU MUST KNOW THE CULTURE!!! You must define how your market will change because of your ministry.

FIVE CRTICAL QUESTIONS TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE A MULTI-CULTURAL COMMUNITY 3. What is IMPORTANT to the people you are trying to reach. In other words, what do THEY value? Keep in mind people have their OWN realities and situations. Your church must be willing to approach the people you are trying to reach in a systematic way to gain insights that will help minister to the target market. LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN to the people and let their voices be a part of the discussion and decisions to do ministry in their context.

FIVE CRTICAL QUESTIONS TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE A MULTI-CULTURAL COMMUNITY 4. What are the RESULTS you are shooting for? How will you define your results? How will you measure your results? The most critical results will come from outside the church – CHANGED LIVES of the people you are reaching and impacting. The results will come by way of their behavior, their hopes, their circumstances and most important a new found relationship with Jesus Christ. Always think FRUITFULNESS!!!

FIVE CRTICAL QUESTIONS TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE A MULTI-CULTURAL COMMUNITY 5. What is the STRATEGY that you plan to implement? What are some measurable and attainable goals? Identify where your church wants to be in 6 months, 12 months, 1 year, 3 years, etc. and map out how you plan to get there.