NORTH EASTERN EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
Leadership Training Institute: Evangelism in Context
Workshop Handout: Evangelism in Different Community Contexts
Reverend Kenneth I. Lewis, Jr. - Presenting
Workshop Goals:
• Equip Leaders for Contextual Evangelism
• Enable leaders to understand and apply effective evangelistic approaches that are contextually relevant in various environments: inner-city, rural, suburban, and urban.
• Build Cultural and Situational Awareness
• Strengthen Leadership Skills in Diverse Communities
• Empower leaders with skills to inspire, connect, and build relationships in culturally diverse and socio-economically varied settings.
• Foster Long-Term Community Engagement
• Encourage sustainable, long-term approaches to evangelism that build trust and foster growth within each community type.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify Context-Specific Needs and Challenges
2. Develop Contextualized Evangelism Strategies
3. Enhance Communication and Relationship-Building Skills
4. Evaluate and Adapt Evangelism Approaches
5. Cultivate a Holistic Approach to Evangelism
6. Address Ethical and Cultural Sensitivity in Evangelism
Workshop Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:
1. Recognize and articulate the distinctions in evangelistic needs across different contexts.
2. Develop and implement contextually appropriate evangelistic strategies.
3. Build and maintain trust with diverse populations, fostering inclusive and impactful community engagement.
4. Lead their congregations in an adaptable, ethical, and culturally sensitive manner in various community types.
Definitions:
Evangelism: Sharing the Christian gospel with the goal of leading others to faith in Jesus Christ, emphasizing His death and resurrection as the foundation for salvation and forgiveness.
Context: The circumstances or background (social, cultural, economic, etc.) surrounding an event or idea, influencing its meaning and interpretation.
Community Contexts:
a) Inner City: The central part of a large city, often marked by high population density, older infrastructure, and social or economic challenges like poverty and crime.
b) Urban: Areas with significant population density and infrastructure development, typically cities with robust cultural, economic, and governmental activity.
c) Suburban: Residential areas on the outskirts of cities, often chosen for quieter living with access to urban amenities.
d) Rural: Low-density areas outside cities, characterized by open spaces, agriculture, and a lack of major infrastructure.
Acts 1:8: “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Rethinking Acts 1:8: Geographic to Relational Contexts:
a) Jerusalem = Family/Close Relations: Start evangelizing with those closest to you.
b) Judea = Neighbors/Community: Extend outreach to those in your local context.
c) Samaria = Enemies or Difficult Relationships: Reach out to those who are traditionally excluded or viewed as “outsiders.”
d) Ends of the Earth = Everyone Else: The gospel is for all, beyond familiar or comfortable boundaries.
Key Evangelism Strategies by Context:
1. Inner City
o Challenges: High poverty, crime, diverse populations, gentrification.
o Focus: Address social justice issues alongside the gospel; build trust in communities often wary of outsiders.
o Approach: Holistic ministry, meeting both spiritual and physical needs.
2. Urban
o Challenges: Fast-paced lifestyle, diversity, cultural plurality.
o Focus: Use technology and media to reach people in a bustling city context; build relationships through local service.
o Approach: Emphasize relevance, engaging cultural issues with biblical truth.
3. Suburban
o Challenges: Comfortable lifestyles, materialism, spiritual apathy.
o Focus: Relational evangelism through community events, familyoriented outreach.
o Approach: Create family-friendly spaces and programs to engage people in meaningful conversations about faith.
4. Rural
o Challenges: Geographic isolation, traditionalism, slower pace of life.
o Focus: Emphasize personal relationships, long-term trust-building.
o Approach: Engage in community events, agricultural fairs, and local traditions; provide consistent presence and service.
Considerations for Effective Evangelism:
1. Understand the Community
o Learn cultural, social, and economic factors that shape the community’s worldview.
o Acknowledge diversity and demographic shifts.
2. Build Relationships
o Focus on authentic, relational evangelism. People respond to genuine care.
o Be actively involved in the community, showing love through service.
3. Leverage Technology
o Use social media, podcasts, and other digital tools to reach wider audiences.
o Stay updated with technological trends, especially for engaging younger generations.
4. Engage Inter-Generational Ministry
o Create spaces for different generations to connect and share their faith journeys.
o Encourage mentorship, where older members guide younger believers.
5. Address Social Justice
o Connect the gospel message to pressing community issues like poverty, inequality, and sustainability.
o Advocate for justice while sharing the hope of Christ’s redemption.
Four Characteristics of Biblical Evangelism
1. Proclamation (Kerygma): Boldly proclaim the message of Christ through preaching and personal testimony.
2. Community (Koinonia): Foster genuine Christian community that reflects the love and unity of the Trinity.
3. Service (Diakonia): Serve others holistically, addressing both physical and spiritual needs in the name of Christ.
4. Witness (Martureo): Live out the gospel through word and action, committing one’s life as a testimony of faith.
Conclusion: Evangelism as a Community Project:
Evangelism is best done in community, as seen in the New Testament. Jesus calls us to work together, showing love and unity to the world, so that even outsiders will recognize “God is truly among them” (1 Corinthians 14:25). When we engage our communities as a collective church body, the gospel is made tangible through the love we demonstrate.
Takeaway: How Will You Share the Gospel in Your Context?
Identify your community type (Inner City, Urban, Suburban, or Rural), consider the strategies discussed, and begin praying about how God is calling you to engage in evangelism where you live.
Workshop Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:
1. Recognize and articulate the distinctions in evangelistic needs across different contexts.
2. Develop and implement contextually appropriate evangelistic strategies.
3. Build and maintain trust with diverse populations, fostering inclusive and impactful community engagement.
4. Lead their congregations in an adaptable, ethical, and culturally sensitive manner in various community types.