Cultivating a Congregational Culture of Evangelism
Dwight Zscheile
Congregational Culture
Congregational culture must embrace and support evangelism or it will be marginal
Culture is most difficult thing to change
Takes time, patience, practice (experiences/changed behaviors)
Leadership commitment is necessary Role of preaching/teaching/modeling
Spiritual Renewal
No congregation will be vital in evangelism if not spiritually vital
Invitation to renewal and revival (personal and communal)
We can’t tell faith stories to others without knowing our own
Reorienting Church Life around Discipleship
Refocusing on helping ordinary Christians know, claim, live into Gospel
Engaging stories of faith
Dwelling in Word or other participatory biblical engagement
Learning stories of tradition
Posture of Learning
Risking exposing what isn’t known
Permission to risk and fail (theologically legitimized!)
Small experiments
Action learning
Telling stories publicly of trying
Safe Spaces
Addressing fear of shame
Storytelling and spiritual expression
Environment of openness and support, not judgment
Catechesis and Initiation
Case Study: Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle
Testimonials
Putting our experience into words
Mentoring/coaching/support Clear prompts/questions to
answer Defined boundaries of time,
place, etc. Part of regular rhythm church
life
Small Groups
Luther: “mutual conversation and consolation of brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Space to go deeper together
Lower barriers to access for unchurched
Evangelistically-focused: Empty chair Open invitations Keeping neighbors in prayer
Culture Change
Behaving our way into new ways of being, thinking
Fostering peer learning
Building critical mass
Taking long view
Celebrating small wins
Discussion