Advocacy As Evangelism Kathryn Freeman Director of Public Policy Christian Life Commission

Roadmap How Can We Creatively Share the Gospel with a New Generation? What is Advocacy? Why Advocacy? What Does the Bible Say? How Can You Engage in Advocacy?

A New Approach for A New Generation

Demonstrative Evangelism ▫Evangelism is communicating the good news of Jesus Christ, and inviting response. ▫Demonstrative Evangelism is demonstrating through acts of love and service God’s power, love and care for humanity.

Demonstrative Evangelism “We can sum up the matter by saying that our social concern will not be on a sound basis unless it stems from a heart that yearns for men and women to open their lives to Christ as Savior and Lord. On the other hand, our evangelism will be increasingly unproductive unless it is accompanied by genuine concern for people as people, along with a sincere desire to share their problems and to minister to their needs.”---T.B. Maston

What is Advocacy? The act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending. An advocate is 1)one who pleads the cause of another 2)a person who argues for or supports a cause or policy Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8- 9

Why Advocacy? Also, 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 will too. Jeremiah 29:7 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18

Why Advocacy? Broaden your Outreach Engage Millennials Serve the “least of these” Improve Community relationships Transformed communities

Why Advocacy? Puzzle Race ▫Break into groups ▫Work together to complete your puzzle the fastest.

“Doing justice not only includes the righting wrongs, but generosity and social concern especially toward the poor and vulnerable. It consists of a broad range of activities from simple and honest dealings with people in daily life, to regular, radically generous giving of your time and resources, to activism that seeks to end particular forms of injustice, violence, and oppression.” --Tim Keller

What Does the Bible Say? Stay in your groups Read the Scripture on the back of the card. Answer these three questions with your group: ▫How does the character engage in advocacy? ▫How does God use the advocacy of the character to advance his kingdom? ▫What lessons might we draw from this story related to advocacy?

What Does the Bible Say? Moses ▫Exodus 3:7-11 Joseph ▫Genesis 41:41-49, Esther ▫Esther 4:1-16, 7:3-4 Nehemiah ▫Nehemiah 2:1-9 Jesus ▫Luke 4:14-21 Saul and Barnabas ▫Acts 15:1-21

Contemporary Examples

How Can You Engage in Advocacy? Policies & people, NOT Politics Solving problems & addressing needs, NOT Winning

How Can You Engage in Advocacy? Who are your neighbors? What is affecting them? ▫Listening & Proximity What breaks your heart that breaks God’s heart? ▫Missions at your church ▫Prayer and Bible Study

How Can You Engage in Advocacy? When the church engages the public square we should be a model of Christian behavior. We should… Be informed but lead with who we are and what we know – share your story and experience Promote civility and integrity Be practical – work towards goals, compromise when possible Look for places where the voice of the church is lacking, but can be impactful Unapologetically bring thoughtful biblical basis or theological rationale to an issue… BUT advocate in a way those of different faiths (or of no faith) can agree or disagree based on the merits of your argument Maintain humility – recognize that you don’t have all the answers and could be wrong, without diminishing conviction

Review Did you learn anything new today? What is something you can take back to your church?

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