Church, Mission and Evangelism Salvation Army Symposium 2013

David Bosch: Transforming Mission “...the participation of Christians in the liberating mission of Jesus... the good news of God’s love, incarnated in the witness of a community, for the sake of the world.”

‘Mission’ & ‘Evangelism’

‘Mission’ ‘Evangelism’

‘Mission’ ‘Evangelism’

David Bosch: Transforming Mission “Mission is the church sent into the world to love, to serve, to preach, to heal, to liberate.” p412 “Evangelism.. that dimension of the church’s mission which, by word and deed.. offers every person and community a valid opportunity to be directly challenged to a radical reorientation of their lives... which involves such things as deliverance from slavery to the world and its powers, embracing Christ as Saviour and Lord, becoming a living member of his community, the church, being enlisted into his service of reconciliation, peace and justice on earth, and being committed to God’s purpose of placing all things under the rule of Christ.” p420

John Diamond “There is no level on which the evangelists and I can engage. They tell me about their spiritual product as if I might not have come across it before… as if in 47 years of living in a Christian country I might not yet have stumbled upon the concept of Christ as redeemer…. They don’t seem to understand that I can’t force myself to believe what I don’t believe….

….Which is the point at which agnostics usually say ‘I only wish I could believe’, and I used to say that myself. But I’ve discovered that it’s not true. I’m happy not believing, and that’s what the evangelists don’t seem to understand.”

Blaise Pascal “Make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is.”

1 Peter 3.15 “In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

1 Peter 2.12 “Live such good lives among the pagans, that, though they may accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

1 Peter 3.15 “IN YOUR HEARTS, SET APART CHRIST AS LORD. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

“The best evangelism happens as the answer to a question” What provokes the question? The Kingdom of God

The Fall – broken relationships with… God (Gen 3.8) Others (Gen 3.12) Creation (Gen 3.14, 17) Ourselves (Gen 3.7) Words (Gen 11)

SALVATION - new relationships with… God – Adoration Others – Belonging Creation – Compassion Ourselves – Discipleship Words – Evangelism

Questions What would be different in your community if God had his way? What are the idols of your community which need to be unmasked? What aspect of Christ’s rule do people in your area need to experience or see (Grace? Peace? Community? Forgiveness?)

Questions What gestures, programmes or lifestyle choices might: A. Challenge those idols B. Express the Kingdom