Transforming Presence: Evangelising Effectively

Preparing for Mission Weekends

We want every parish/benefice in the diocese to...• …put on a Mission Weekend as part

of our centenary celebrations• …try to do one thing in evangelism

it has never done before• …have in place a small team of

people who have had some training and experience in evangelism

Purpose

• A Mission Weekend is a time set aside for specific events that share the gospel with people on the fringe or outside the church. It is set in the context of understanding how people grow and develop in faith, and of how we become a missionary church, renewing our faith as we share it with others

Contact

Commitment

Church membership

Nurture

Growth

Growth Spiral

Putting people first

How can we serve the people with whom we already have contact in such a way as to make the gospel intriguing, challenging and appealing

Planning evangelistic events

• Contacts?• Issues?• Gospel?• Event?• Next step?

Evangelistic events

• Express good news• Experience Christian community• Opportunity to take the next step

Questions to keep in mind

• What event will people actually attend?

• How does the event deal with their issues and interests?

• Have you invited them to help you plan it?

• How is the gospel being presented?

Two common pitfalls

• Social events• Church services

Helping people take the next step• Response cards• A personal visit• Nurture course e.g. Alpha,

Christianity Explored, Emmaus, Pilgrim or Start

• A course that relates to the issue e.g. parenting course

• Another event

Three golden rules

• Let the event fit the people• Is there a next step in place?• Small is beautiful

Other issues

• Pray  • Pay • Name  • Help and training is available • Team

Co-ordinating team

• Prayer• Hospitality• Events• Publicity• Follow up

2014 is the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War• Many opportunities to engage with

our communities• 4th August National memorial. It is

hoped that every church will be open for prayer and for people to bring their memories

• Remembrance next year will be more significant than ever

What next?

• Get praying• Start planning• Other training opportunities• Ask for help• Prayer partners• Let us know what you’re doing