Chap Clark, PhDProfessor of Youth, Family and CultureFuller Theological SeminaryTwitter: chapclark

Evangelism Re-envisioned: Rethinking our witness in a

disinterested culture(Cascadia)

Evangelism Re-envisioned in Cascadia

Patricia O'Connell, Professor of Religious Studies, Gonzaga Uniqueness of “none” Cascadians

The Context: Who is it we’re called to?

1. High stock in individual freedoms 2. Fiercely “independent” but “geographically” loyal3. Value space for movement, innovation

(anxiety about boundaries) 4. They want to belong, but also leery of control 5. “None” zone NOT “No” zone 6. Hungry for meaning, depth (but nervous of us)

Evangelism Re-envisioned in Cascadia

Uniqueness of “none” CascadiansThe Context: Who is it we’re called to?

6. Hungry for meaning, depth (but nervous of us)

“As Pastor Ray Cannata has shown through his work with Redeemer Church in New Orleans, young people want something very traditional: geographically based community, otherwise known as a neighborhood.”

Naomi Schaeffer Riley, Got Religion?: How churches, mosques and synagogues can bring young people back, 141.

Evangelism Re-envisioned in Cascadia

Uniqueness of “none” CascadiansThe Context: Who is it we’re called to?

6. Hungry for meaning, depth (but nervous of us)

Evangelism Re-envisioned in Cascadia

The Current State of “Evangelism” in Cascadia

1. Get the word out

Evangelism Re-envisioned in Cascadia

The Current State of “Evangelism” in Cascadia

1. Get the word out

2. Target the “friendly”(“seeker”, disgruntled brethren)

Evangelism Re-envisioned in Cascadia

1. Get the word out

2. Target the “friendly”

3. Come to us!

The Current State of “Evangelism” in Cascadia

Re-envisioning Evangelism in Cascadia:St. Patrick as Model

The MissionThe Method

Evangelism in Context: St. Patrick as Model

Aligned next to and within a tribe (community)

1. Went in team, a dozen or so (John 13-15)

2. Encouraged friendship with people (1 Pet 3:15)

The Mission

3. Primary initial mission to serve (Gal 5:6)

4. Looked for and responded to receptivity (Col 4:5)5. Invited people to join before they came to faith

“astonishingly indigenous” (Matt 11:28, “Come to me you who are

weary…”)

Evangelism in Context: St. Patrick as Model

A. Patrick’s Communicating the Gospel1. Patrick engaged their emotional agenda

(Acts 1:8)

The Method

2. Patrick convinced people they were loved (1 Pet 3:15)3. Patrick helped them to use their faith as an outlet

for creative emotions and imagination (Ps 149:3)4. Addressed the “middle zone” of life

Celtic Christianity “addressed life as a whole…a folk (faith) of, by, and for the people

developed”

Evangelism in Context: St. Patrick as Model

Roman/US ModelPresentationDecisionInclusion, Fellowship

Evangelism DistinctivesCeltic/Cascadia ModelInclusion and fellowshipMinistry and conversationBelief, invitation to commit

Evangelism in Context: St. Patrick as Model

B. Recognition that God has been at work

1. Honoring existing culture2. We must be open to receiving new

insights and illumination3. Carefully discern what is eternal

necessity and what is cultural

Evangelism in Context: St. Patrick as Model

C. Presence, service, hospitality, and inclusion before people “join”

“Today’s evangelism is being done in a society characterized by the

secular/spiritual paradox. Many people are secular but influenced by the

persuasive spirituality of society.” (Webber, 55)

Re-envisioning Evangelism in Cascadia:Specific models and ideasEugene Cho (Founder Quest Church, CT online 9/23/14)

“It’s important to speak to people who are apathetic about justice, but also to people who are saying, “Let’s stick with preaching Jesus.” Justice is part of the full scope of the gospel—it’s part of who Jesus is. Jesus’ words are more credible when his followers live them out, including God’s call to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him.”

You suggest that working for justice is evangelism. What concerns you about the way Christians understand the relationship between justice and evangelism?

Re-envisioning Evangelism in Cascadia:Specific models and ideasEugene Cho – Work for justice is evangelism

- Parents are worried and vulnerable (Mark 5, Jairus)

- Families are disconnected and longing for support

- Singles feel isolated – provide onramps for connection

- Seniors are frightened, alone and wonder who cares

Examples of places we can come alongside:

Chap Clark, PhDProfessor of Youth, Family and CultureFuller Theological SeminaryTwitter: chapclark

Evangelism Re-envisioned: Rethinking our witness in a

disinterested culture(Cascadia)