the fullness of life

Seven Studies in Evangelism

Edited by Paul Fitzpatrick

Church Army We're about sharing faith through words and action to transform lives bymaking Jesus famous. Our focus is on the 7 out of 10 people who havelittle or no meaningful contact with church. Watch this short film to discovermore at www.churcharmy.org.uk.

Purpose Church Army exists to enable people to come to living faith in Jesus Christ.

Values We will seek to follow our values in all that we do.• Listening to God: We take the time to be open to God, willing to listen

and open to change. • Respect: We recognise that all people are created in the image of God

and that all people are valued equally by God. • Professionalism: We strive for the highest standards in all that we do.• Partnership: We are part of the Christian community, called to work with

each other, with compatible agencies and with the wider church.

Words and Action: We are committed to sharing the Christian faiththrough words and action.

The values espoused are organisational/corporate values and not those ofan individual. Individual values are set out in the Rule of Life (for Evangelists)and the Personal Way of Life (for members). There are many other valuesnot included as they are taken as read.

VisionTo be a leading organisation in the training, equipping and deploying ofEvangelists, to develop appropriate and relevant forms of Christiancommunity for pioneering situations.

Faith Words Action

Seven Studies in Evangelism

Edited by Paul Fitzpatrick

Faith Words Action

I first met Paul in 1995, when he came to work with me at St. Leonard’s

Church, in Norwood, Sheffield. He was then in training as an Evangelist

with Church Army. One of the things that struck me was his ability to

engage in evangelism in the most ordinary and down to earth situations;

whether in a school assembly or getting alongside men in the pub.

In compiling The Fullness of Life, Paul has drawn from the experiences of

fellow Evangelists to bring to the fore how easy it is for each of us to

engage in the work of sharing Good News. Before you, are 7 studies that

will encourage, challenge and humble you, as you are charged with

engaging in the great task and challenge of evangelism.

Paul’s practical, simple, yet profound approach to evangelism is laid out

for us here in a way that enables the ordinary man and woman to feel

that their involvement in the great adventure of evangelism is within their

grasp. The need has never been greater for ordinary Christian people to

step up to the plate and involve themselves in the spiritual growth of their

neighbour and their communities and to involve them in discipleship.

The study of the Bible and engaging in evangelism are things that will

invariably challenge, shape and, perhaps, even energise us to go out

and share with others the very promise of living life to the full that Jesus

describes in John 10:10.

Let us be encouraged in opening our hearts and

minds to God and in searching for Truth and,

through the insights of this book, sharing the joy

and inspiration of that Truth with others.

Rt Revd Dr Tim Ellis

Bishop of Grantham

The fullness of life | 3

Foreword

4 | The fullness of life

Within this publication you will find seven examples of evangelism that Ibelieve will contribute to your understanding of what evangelism is andhow easy it is for you to engage in evangelism.

In compiling this study guide, I have not intended it to be an exhaustive ordefinitive list of what evangelism is; my experience is that evangelism takesplace where we find ourselves. That could be the work-place, the cafe, onthe streets or with our neighbour.

You will explore different types of evangelism in the context of where they wereused and you will discover what the Bible says about how we witness and themanner in which we should undertake that witness.

Whatever form of evangelism we choose to use, our overall aim should be tosee a life transforming to the fullness of life that Christ describes in John10:10. I hope that as you study The Fullness of Life, you will begin to find theriches that Christ offers to us to use in our calling to increase his Kingdom.

We all desire to deepen our knowledge of God, especially in how we shouldbe a witness to our faith in Christ on a day-to-day basis. Jesus calls us tobe witnesses to His saving power. For some this is a joyful task and oneapproached with energy and prayer.

Church Army Evangelists are committed to sharing faith throughwords and action. This often means enabling the people ofGod to do this through training and experience. This studyguide is designed to help you think about what God is callingyou to do in your witness for Him, either as an individual oras a group.

We hope that you have as much of a blessing instudying evangelism, as you do practicing evangelism.

God bless

Paul Fitzpatrick C.A.

Introduction


I remember the first time I prepared to lead a bible study; I was 22years old and went bald! Well, I think that was down to naturerather than the preparation. However, it was scary as well asexciting. Ring a bell? Then read on….

The scriptures are littered with stories of God's people being called to do something they feel they are not humanly capable of. Yet it issimilarly littered with outcomes of God's people completing what Hehas called them to undertake and the blessing therein.

So let's take those fears and chill a bit, in the knowledge that God will help you, as he has helped countless others.

Part of my ministry as an evangelist over the past 10 years has beento encourage and enable, so be encouraged that the Lord ismoulding you in leadership. In my experience it helps to know thatyou do not have to be an expert on the Bible or even a collegeprofessor! Essentially it is all about preparation and discussion. AllowGod to enable you by His Holy Spirit to lead you with confidence anddiscernment. Therefore in order to offer some help to you, I have setout below some of the things that have aided me in leading studies in the past.

Supporting Notes

for Individuals and

Group Leaders

Before you begin Studying the scriptures and exploring other people’s experiences ofevangelism can be for some, very exciting; for others it can be verydaunting indeed.

I have put together some suggestions that may help you as youprepare to get the most out of The Fullness of Life. We hopethat each week you will be stimulated through the scriptures andthrough the content on the Web. To find out more about how allof our Evangelists and staff are working at transforming lives andcommunities visit http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/people to see videos of ministry in action.

Each of our contributors to these studies has carefully thoughtthrough how you can apply this learning in your own life and context,in order to engage in evangelism. Their questions are designed tochallenge and encourage action.



Studying as an individual Pray: Before you begin each study, ask the Lord to guide you and openyour mind. Give yourself time to allow God to stabilise your inner self sothat you can apply what you are learning in your life.

Time: Give yourself space to learn; the studies are designed that youcan learn at a pace that suits you. It may help you to briefly read allseven studies before you begin; this may help you to think about wherethe studies will take you.

Bible: Having your own Bible is important as it will be a book that youwill be familiar with. The version that you find most helpful is the bestone to use. All Bible verses quoted in these studies are from the NewInternational Version.

Notes: Make notes within eachstudy. Remember there are nowrong answers; the beautyabout our relationship withGod is that He illuminatesour life and inspires us bythe Holy Spirit. So jotdown your response tothe question honestly.


Studying as a group For the leader: These notes may be of some help as you prepare tolead the group either for the first time or as a seasoned veteran!

Preparation: Groups are naturally formed of individuals, so beencouraged to follow the points suggested for individuals, as youprepare for your group study. In this way you will find your learning ingroup study deepens through your preparation.

Participation: Discussion is by far the best form of learning.Remember that as the leader you will need to ensure that everyonehas their say. No answer is wrong! Share how God is teaching you,how He is encouraging/challenging you, and how He is doing that with others.

Be focussed: Stick to the study material being discussed for thatweek. It has been my intention that you only have to use the scripturesreferred to. There is no need to look up commentaries or other views.The core essence of these studies is to reflect upon the evangelisticexample given. Therefore the paramount questions of the study are:How can I do this? How do I apply this?

Listen: Encouraging all that listening to other members of a group is asimportant as contributing. If you have an attentive ear, you may besurprised at how much you can learn from others. In parish ministry Iwas always amazed at how the quiet person sometimes came with asuggestion that was as a blast of fresh air.

A balanced input: As group leader you should be able to ensure allhave the chance to contribute. It is important that we ensure thatindividuals do not dominate the discussions. The eagerness one has toshare can often be at the cost of others not having time to respond.Therefore encourage one another; after all, the Christian journey reallyshould not be about outsmarting each other.

Involve God: God wants to share with each of us; His desire to see usevangelise. Be open to the Holy Spirit talking to you and to your fellowgroup mates. Most of all have fun discovering new boundaries.

Out of your

comfort zone

By Richard Tett


ScripturePhilippians 1:3-6James 5:7-16

Let’s Focus:We are currently working on an estate in the northwest of England. The estate is made up of post warhousing mainly owner occupied but still pockets ofcouncil and housing association properties, there aresome new builds near by. The estate is on theoutskirts of town just out of reasonable walkingdistance. It is an urban priority area and has swathesof poverty. There are many issues within the area asalways highlighted in the media regarding youngpeople. There are problems with drugs, alcohol andvandalism. The area also has a high proportion ofteenage pregnancies.

With high unemployment and not being close toworking areas this gives rise to the young people beingbored and finding other ways to entertain themselves.Facilities on the estate are few and far between for theteenagers, a youth centre that is open only 2 nights aweek. The general norm is for the teenagers to hangaround the 5 or 6 shops that are nearby or the pub carpark. At the centre of the estate is the church, arelatively modern church. The church is working toserve the community and the congregation worktogether to the glory of God and in the service of anestablished but ever changing community.


Let’s Reflect:When Paul writes this letter to the Philippians, he is full of joy, eventhough he is in prison, joy at sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. He has joy in finding unity of heart within the body of Christ.

Even though we are often challenged by the contexts that God places usin, indeed even resistant to them; when we overcome those challengesand relinquish ourselves to God, it is then that we will see the power ofour obedience to God bearing some fruit in the lives of those whom weare witnessing to.

When we step out in faith, God can do massive things with us throughordinary everyday situations. Paul in his letter to the Philippians is settingthe mark that it is important to pray. This manifests itself in how we showand reflect Christian community when engaging with the young people.There are great opportunities to explore the Gospel with the youngpeople and the potential of transforming lives.

A God moment as I call them happened one week; a young person wastalking about how prayer doesn’t work, she needed a job and wasunable to find one. So I said to her Iwould pray with her and ask God tohelp her in her confidence and abilityto find the right job for her. She said'I still don’t believe prayer works'. At this point, a young lad, whom wehad been praying with some weeksago, came onto the bus and said'oh yes it does, because I was

prayed for and I have found a joband I never thought I would'.



Like this story, James encourages us not to give up (James 5:7-16).Through this scripture we learn to ask God to help us to develop morepatience as we wait for something; for instance when we make a longterm commitment to pray for a non Christian friend.

When working with young people their language can sometimes be achallenge. We try to teach the young people that praying can help themwith difficulties they may face in their daily lives, how it can turn their livesaround and help them to be more positive when talking to others. InJames's view, oaths and prayers are simply the verbal expressions of whata person is truly feeling but cannot articulate. In many ways, it is the samewith young people and faith. James is clearly a man of faith; he has apassion for prayer.

Let’s be encouraged to think on this matter of prayer with three emphases: • When to Pray? (5:13-14) When we are in trouble and facing adversity.

We teach these young people that when in a crisis turning to God in aprayer is infinitely more rewarding than responding with violence or anger.

• How to Pray? (5:14-15) Pray with others, pray in the name of the Lord,pray as if you believe that God will answer your request! The prayer ofgenuine faith is the prayer that is effective.

• Why Pray? (5:16) If you spent time thinkingabout this you would undoubtedly come tothe conclusion that God certainly doesanswer prayer. Therefore we pray to seekan answer. We also pray to develop ourrighteousness before God, that is todevelop our humble side of our nature.

1. Where are you challenged to move out of your comfort zoneand give some ground to an apparently resistant group?

2. Can you stand firm in your faith with the most basic things likebelief in the power of prayer?

3. What can you draw from your own life experience that wouldbenefit another person on their journey? (remember no one hasan ordinary experience)

4. In reading the passage in James, where are you challenged inyour prayer life?

5. How can the knowledge that Jesus is returning, help us to bepatient in our prayers today?

Let’s Discuss:


Action:The team is made up from the congregation and tend to be of the olderage group. They have had some uneasy experiences of the local youngpeople in the past, so for most of them they are stepping out of theircomfort zones and dealing with their prejudices and fears. The team havebattled with these issues and have come a long way to being themselvesamongst the young people and gelling with us and the rest of the team.The key to this type of evangelism is being comfortable with yourself.Young people search for role models. They look to those role models foradvice, guidance, love and humour.

There have been many great turning points in facilitating the team toshare in what they believe with the young people. One man, a dedicatedmember of the volunteers, has grown in confidence in the relatively shorttime we have been on the estate with the bus. He shared an incident withme, which occurred a short time ago. He was walking down the roadwith his friend and there were some young people hanging off a bridge,they started to take it out of him until he got closer. Then they recognisedhim and said 'Hey aren’t you the guy from the Jesus bus? When’s itcoming back?' For him, this was a big step in his faith and understandingof how he engaged with the young people.

When we engage with young people, they develop an understanding ofwho we are and what we represent. They might take the rise out of us,but underneath, deep down, they see that we belong to something. They will often overcome big hurdles, not least peer pressure, to get tothe point where they feel comfortable about belonging too.

Prayer:Lord Jesus,Help us to embrace what our young people offer us.Through our witness, equip us to encourage and establishthem. Through your Holy Spirit, guide us to be faithfulwitnesses to the power of prayer, and in doing so enableothers to live life to the full. Amen.


It’s a mans worldBy Jonathon Wiggam

ScriptureMark 16:15Proverbs 27:17


Let’s Focus:

Why do evangelism specifically among men? What is thecontext for such a ministry?

First we need to recognise that there are different types ofmen, and there are therefore different reasons why men arenot drawn to Christianity. I believe that God the Holy Spirit isstirring men in fresh and relevant ways to show that JesusChrist and Christianity do not take away manliness, but canenhance and bring out the best qualities of men.

Jesus had no problem attracting men – His strong leadership,blunt honesty and bold action mesmerised men. So what is theproblem with men, church and Christianity?

Look to the local church what is the percentage of men in thecongregation;? Average statistics would suggest 70% women to30% men. Because of this there is an imbalance between thefeminine and masculine in church, this is one of the reasons whymany men choose to stay away from Christianity and remarkthat ‘Christianity is for women, wimps and is not relevant.’

There are those men who feel that to be manly means to bemacho and so see Christianity as in some way taking away fromthat - there are others who don’t feel they need to be machobut consider Christianity to be a non-male environment and alsonot relevant.

There is also a feeling among men that you have to be strongand macho and cope with whatever life throws at you – manymen turn to alcohol, binge-eating and other addictive behavioursto deal with their problems, many men suffer in silence.Research bears this out in that a staggering 51% of men feeldepressed, stressed or anxious at least once a month. Theseare some of the reasons why we do evangelism amongst men.


Let’s Reflect:As Christians, God teaches us that we should look at our context withHim, and seek to make Him known. Let us look at some of theprinciples that we should put in place as we seek to reach out to non-churched or as others would say ‘not yet believing men’.

Firstly, we should look at our mission context – factors that should betaken into account are culture, class and ethnicity. Secondly, ask theobvious questions relating to why men consider Christianity not relevant.Thirdly, consider what and where are the points of contact, the networkswhere Christian men cross over with non-churched men e.g. family,friends, work colleagues, sport clubs, hobbies, other local communitiessuch as football club, or military. Also ask, what are men interested in,what can we do realistically?

Statistics that have encouraged evangelism among men – 0.6% of British men attend church weekly. It takes 3 to 5 years onaverage for a man to come into a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ.• If you lead a child to Christ, 3% of their families follow• If you lead a mother to Christ, 17% of their families follow• If you lead a father to Christ, 93% of their families follow

These do not take away from the fact that God intervenesmiraculously in a person’s life without anyother human intervention.However what they doshow is that most mencome to know Jesus througha process of time and for thisto occur men will be requiredto be conduits, explaining thegood news to other men.(Romans 10:14-15)



A male environment is essential to attract men. In the UK over the last 20years not much has happened in terms of direct ministry to men, andconsequently the attention of men has not been captured by the church –the window by which men understand Christianity and its relevance.

A male environment is also essential for discipleship growth. ‘As ironsharpens iron, so one man sharpens another’ is so apt for men as they donot have many close friends; they may have many colleagues oracquaintances but trusted friends with whom they bond deeply are usuallyin low numbers. Some men have no firm male friends. Some men find itdifficult to start conversations and therefore talking in large groups isdifficult other than the usual small talk.

Discipleship through friendship sharpens a man’s spirit and passion forJesus. Two minds acting on each other and two spirits acting on eachother sharpens men’s natural and spiritual character – men meetingtogether in small groups enables opportunity for accountability andencouragement, challenge that provokes a man to understand and accepthimself, his weaknesses and his strengths and find his completeness inJesus Christ. Strong and tough men, shy men, suffering men, angry men,and ordinary men begin to believe in themselves.

Generally speaking, men like to be active bothphysically and mentally.Masculine values that menappreciate such as risk,challenge, adventure, fun,healthy competition andachievement are worthconsidering when planningany evangelistic events formen; but always take a broadapproach as men enjoy manydifferent interests.

Successful elements have proved to be:

• High standard of hospitality (men appreciate things done well)

• High fun content• Escapism• Some level of challenge• Unique – an event that a man can

go to that he can’t or would not do at home or in his normal social network

• Social – any event where mencan talk side-by-side or be occupied andtalking. Face-to-face talking is difficult and awkward not a naturalstance for men

• Friendship – men don’t easily share inner emotions or significant issues,men require friendships of substance

Examples of events - Giant Scalextric, Radio Control Tanks, Pub Nights,Themed Food Nights, Science & Faith Debate, Adventure Days,Weekends Away, Sports Days and Movies.

Prayer is an important part of evangelism and discipling of men. ‘Goeverywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone’, includingmen. Men are hard to reach for Christ; some have likened it to ‘pushingboulders up hill’ and suggested that it ‘can’t be done single-handedly’.

To reach men, to keep men, prayer is key; It is a partnership between theHoly Spirit and us but also requires a team effort, standing together to seemen set free, empowered and moving forward with a sense of purpose.



Let’s Discuss:

1. How can we encourage and empower men to use their skills within our‘churches’ as a means of assisting them to feel like they belong?

2. How committed are you to sharing your faith with a man, whilst knowingthat it could be a long time before you get the ‘results’ you want?

3. What encouragement can you give to your church leadership to ensurethey account for men in their mission/evangelism plans?

4. What environment do we need to create so that men can share theirfaith with other men?

5. How can we show men that being a Christian does not diminishmasculinity, but actually enhances and brings out the best qualities in men?

Action:Paul’s story – I was born inManchester over 50 years ago, I wasraised as a Catholic and spent 10 yearsbeing nearly brainwashed to death byreligion. By my mid teens I had hadenough of its hypocrisy and rejected God as not relevant.

The Lockerbie bombing and 9/11 terroristattacks made me realise my attitude to theworld needed to change. I became involvedwith Holy Trinity Church, Aldershot. It washere that I encountered J-men, a social groupfor men that offers first and foremost fun, aswell as adventure, healthy competition,challenge and a little uncertainty.

The J-Men introduced me to other Christian guysand the respective journeys they had taken to reach Christ. Listening totheir stories made me realise that you could find answers to difficultquestions, receive advice on dealing with difficult issues and developspiritually. Most of all, through J-Men I have developed lasting anddependable friendships I did not think were possible.

I was encouraged with my passion in playing guitar and have ended upplaying rock and roll songs. I heard about the Alpha Course and wentalong out of curiosity. I was surprised by the relaxed style and how muchsense it made. I have learnt about why people feel a need to worship andwhy spiritual sustenance is so important, how the Bible is relevant toevery day life, I slowly began to realise that God does indeed work inmysterious ways to bring back the lost.

As well as now going to church, I have joined a Magnet Group (Men’sAccountability Group Network). The group has proved invaluable inproviding support and encouragement for me as a man and a Christian.Would I go back to my past life? No way.



Prayer:Heavenly Father, assist me to be a good witness to the menwho are my friends. Help me to be strong in my faith, energeticin my actions and clear in my words. Bless me with creativityand passion for the way I will evangelise. Open up my heart andmind, that I too may learn from life and its experiences. Amen.

Jesus in the

workplaceBy Richard Martin

Scripture

Proverbs 31: 10-31


Let’s Focus:I have bosses who set targets, decide policies, establishthe ethos, hire and fire. They are under pressure fromthe LEA and OFSTED. To what extent do I support theleadership team in their decisions, popular or not? Towhat extent do I take the side of the staff? Is it possibleto be friendly with managers, and even to offerpastoral care?

Some of my colleagues are Christians. We communicatevia an email distribution list for prayer requests. Othershave Christian sympathies or a church background, andare supportive of celebrating Christmas in a ‘religious’ way.Some are members of other faiths, are agnostic or overtlyatheist. In this context, my first duty is to be accepted as afellow professional. There is no room for an incompetentmember of staff who drags the school’s results down.Nonetheless, I want to bring something “extra”, forexample, offering to help with difficult or boringadministrative tasks, sharing resources, giving a listeningear, and befriending the non-teaching staff.

I work with students and their parents, especially in thesixth form. They buy into our ethos; they could take theircustom elsewhere. My responsibility is to give them theoutcome they require in a form that they enjoy. However Ihave to maintain standards of dress, behaviour, and work.The customer is not always right! Being a Christian meansthere is a balance to be found.


Let’s Reflect:Workplace evangelism is about availability to God and people. Thereading from Proverbs is a description of an ideal wife but I think it alsooutlines the qualities of an ideal employee. Teaching in a state schooloften presents challenges which are common to other workplaces.

Availability to God is about taking up opportunities to serve, and infusingthem with Christian values as far as possible. Most of the Christianactivities I am involved with at work arise ‘by chance’: I supplied biscuitswhen the canteen stopped bringing biscuits to the staff-room, peoplerecognised that as a kind act; I was invited to speak at the Christmasassembly, because I am known for my faith. If I waited for the perfectevangelistic opportunity, or tried to engineer it, I would probably neverstart. I try to say “yes” to God, believing that he has placed me in myworkplace and knows how best to use my gifts there. Mary’s example(Luke 1:38) affirms this approach.

Availability to people means responding to their questions and lettingthem grow at their own pace. It means caring for people as wholepersons, inside and outside of work,and representing their interests. It means respecting the individualityof each person, treating the after-school cleaner in the same way asyou would the Chair ofGovernors. The nextconversation could be the keyone – be ready. The risenJesus appeared to hisdisciples when they leastexpected him, in a formthey did not recognise: we


must not let him walk on, uninvited, into the night (Luke 24:28).

This attitude of availability means that the actions which you hoped mightoccasion conversations about Christ do not do so, but that God is able touse you to respond to the unexpected. Being obedient to God’sprompting is the key to effective discipleship. Paul’s vision at Troas (Acts16: 9) and Peter’s at Joppa (Acts 10:10) show that God calls us to newpossibilities when we are faithfully fulfilling our calling.

Workplace evangelism is first of all being good news; before one cantell good news, you have to be a respected colleague. The incompetentreligious fanatic cuts no ice among professionals. Paul was able to holddown a place as a partner in a tent-making business (Acts 18:3); he didnot compromise the standards of his work because he was too busypreaching. Christians are called to professional development andexcellence.

Integrity is the key; the workplaceis second only to the home inshowing what you are really like,day after day. Evangelism which isnot matched by lifestyle will soonbe discredited. We willsometimes be called upon to gothe extra mile, attendingmeetings outside hours,working at home, interruptingholiday: we should do so, andmore (Matthew 6:41). However,in protecting others we mustalso protect ourselves. Rest isprescribed for everyone(Exodus 20:8-11), and definesthe work-life balance we are


to expect of ourselves, ourcolleagues and ourmanagers.

Workplace evangelismmust therefore be rootedin godly habits andimmersed in prayer.There are no shortcutsto holiness, we have totake up our cross everyday and follow (Luke9:23). It can be difficult,early in the morning, tofind the words to prayfor our workplace. TheLord’s Prayer (Matthew6:9-13) is all we need.It places us first andforemost in thebusiness of hallowingGod’s name and seeking his rule. It then asks that God’s will berevealed to us and through us. We ask for the resources we need forthe day, and for good, healthy relationships, even with people who aredifficult. The prayer forces us to recognise our frailty and need forprotection. Jesus lived incognito for 30 years before he was called topreach: this was the prayer he used in those years, as well as duringhis ministry.

God has called you to your workplace to do something only you can dothere. Maybe He will call you on from there in due time, but today that iswhere He has placed you. Today could be the day when your actions,


Let’s Discuss:

1. Verse 12 of our reading can lead us to ask 'what is our attitudeto our workplace and our employers?' Optimists are goodproponents for sharing good news at work. Do you seekexcellence in all you do or do you bring negativity, complaintand resistance to change?

2. We know from verse 16 that the wife (employee) has the meansand ability to buy and cultivate land. In effect she is a goodsteward of God's resources, and is therefore recognised as awitness to God's provision. Is your integrity held high in yourwork-place?

3. Does verse 20 challenge you? Our attitude to our colleagues isimportant; showing concern about their lives outside work is away of supporting them. Do you regard them as machines whoturn up and switch on each day, or as vulnerable but valuablepersons? Do you pray for them?



4. In a sense one could read verse 24 as being about value. Ourattitudes towards our customers or clients are important. Arethey potential victims to be exploited, or partners to benurtured? To what extent is your transaction a mutuallyenjoyable and beneficial experience? What are yourstandards? Where do you draw the line in business ethics?

5. Respect is important to all of us. What does verse 31 challengeyou to do in terms of respecting others?

Action:John is a colleague who trained me in imaginative use of computers withyoung people. Soon after I arrived at the school he had time off becausehis wife had given birth to a very premature baby. Eventually Johnreturned to work and we had a brief conversation.

A few months later John approached me to say that he and his wife hadbeen to the local Church to enquire about having the baby christened,but that the vicar had recommended a thanksgiving. What is thedifference, he asked, between thanksgiving and baptism? I gave John acopy of the baptism service, pointing out the promises he would need tomake in it. He went away promising to read it and to attend the localChurch’s family services.

After a few weeks I asked how he was finding the services. He said theywere very enjoyable and that the vicar had an excellent way of involvingeveryone. He said they had decided to go for a baptism, and that thevicar had agreed.

A year or so later, John asked me what confirmation was about. Again Itried to explain, and gave him a copy of the service. Soon he told me thathe had decided to be confirmed. Frequently thereafter John would tell meabout his Church and the activities he had taken part in.

When John left the school, he gave me a card. It thanked me for ourfriendship, “but above all, for re-awakening my faith”.

Prayer:Loving Lord, enable me to be a consistent witness at work.Inspire me to seek out the needy in spirit. Equip me torespond to their needs in an appropriate manner. By yourgrace, give me the humility to encourage and uplift thosewho rightly deserve praise. Amen.


God over

a cuppaBy Jenny Colby

Scripture

John 14:1-9


Let’s Focus:One of the places I visit regularly is the TeaHouse in Bracknell. It is a place where peoplecome for refreshments or a rest. But most of allthey come for some fellowship; many of thesevisitors are perhaps lonely or isolated. Mywitness as a Christian is simply to make myselfavailable to anyone who wants to talk or seekprayer with me.

‘I wish I could believe like you’; these words havebeen said to me on more than one occasion byvisitors I see most weeks in the Tea House.Sometimes they are followed by a conversationabout the Christian faith; sometimes simply a chatabout mundane matters.

Through getting to know people at the Tea House,I have developed links with families wantingBaptism for their children and requesting me tolead their funeral service when the time comes. Isee this ministry as sharing with people along life’sjourney: sharing with them in their glad times andsupporting them through difficult times.


Let’s Reflect:The Bible reading speaks about Jesus’ patience with his disciples. Inanswer to Philip’s request ‘Lord show us the Father’, Jesus says ‘Don’tyou know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a longtime? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’ (John 14:8-9).Jesus has called me to be his hands and his feet (as shown clearly in thewritings of St Teresa of Avila). My prayer is that people will come to knowChrist through seeing him in my life, my words and my actions; for wealso read in John’s gospel, ‘I am in my Father and you are in me, and Iam in you.’ (John 14:20).

When others see Christ in our life through our actions and words, we arebeing true witnesses in a most natural way. This scripture is apt whenconsidering what presence evangelism is all about. It is easy to makeourselves available to God for Him to use us through our ordinary,unexciting everyday experiences. What is important is that we areprepared to serve and ready to share our faith when the moment is right.

Whether we agree or not that Christian presence can rightfully be termedevangelism, Christians are present in the world and this will have a directbearing on how they are perceived by non Christians.

The way we live our everyday lives should lead us to askthe question, ‘Are we Good News tosociety?’ When we givetestimony of our lifetransformed by Christ weshare in the mission of theChurch that was inauguratedby Christ himself. In my ministryas an Evangelist, I have seenthose who previously lived forthemselves start to live withothers’ needs in mind. I have


seen people who are materialistic, change and share their resources withothers. Transforming lives reflect Christ and are inspirational.

St Paul teaches us in Romans 12:18 that we should live at peace witheveryone. That peace is born out of love. The heart of presenceevangelism is the ability for one to love unconditionally those that Godplaces on our path. That ability to love comes about through prayer.

For me, prayer is an essential tool to succeed in the mission God hasplaced before me. We need to challenge ourselves to be different and lovethose who come into our life; we need to be good to them, by at leastpraying for them.

I have had the privilege of meeting people who are hurting. I have prayedfor each of them. I often contemplate that if Jesus had not prayed forforgiveness for those who crucified Him, then all of us would not have theopportunity to experience the joy of salvation. Just be aware that brokenpeople can unwittingly upset us as they reach out for help; it is easy toreject them because of their actions. In those moments, pray that they will experience calmness and be open to the gospel and come to Christ.

When someone sees or experiences our genuine love for them they maywell say, ‘I wish I could believe like you’. Sincere actions will draw them to Christ.


1. Can true Christ-like love be insincere? How do we ensure itremains sincere?

2. How can I share my faith in a natural manner?

3. What activities might we consider as being presenceevangelism?

4. Where could we engage in presence evangelism?

5. What will we do when people respond to us?

Let’s Discuss:


Action:People come into the Tea House each Friday, not to hear me preach thegospel, but to enjoy the atmosphere and spend time in the company offriends or chatting to me or one of my volunteer helpers. I have got toknow many members of the public over the last four years, through servingthem Fairtrade tea and coffee each week.

One family I have got to know through the Tea House asked me to baptisetheir baby son and less than a year later asked me to officiate at the funeralof their still-born daughter. I drew very much on God’s strength for the lateroccasion and tried to show to them through my words and actions howmuch God loves them and had placed them as a family, including their still-born daughter, in His loving arms.

Many people who come into the Tea House have learning difficulties. They are welcomed, loved and shown that they are valued, by me and byGod who is a loving Father to all. Others who come are elderly people wholive alone and value the time spent chatting, listening to music or just beingin the company of other people. For them it is important to show thatJesus is the constant companion to all who believe in Him. Also to sharewith them that Jesus gives us hope for this life and a promise of eternal lifewith Him and with our loved ones.

Being prepared to share one’s faith in an environment where there are no rules and every encounter is unique, challenging and encouraging. You need to be open to God bringing you those who have a need. Youneed to be prepared to ask people ‘are you ok?’; be ready to really listen tothe answer, and finally be open to respond in a loving and caring manner.

Prayer:Lord Jesus Christ, use my body as if it were yours. Utilise my handsand feet to take me to the places you want me to be. Enable me tosee with your eyes, bless me to look with compassion on this world.Christ you have no body now on earth but ours. Amen.


Spanning the

divide By Ian Maher

Scripture

Matthew 15:22-28


Let’s Focus:Evangelism through conversation and dialogue

There was a time when it would have been necessary forChristians to travel overseas to meet significant groups ofpeople belonging to other faiths, but that is no longer thecase. Population and travel patterns have changed so thatliving and working alongside people with diverse religiousbeliefs and practices is becoming commonplace, particularlyin our large towns and cities. This presents to Christians theopportunity of communicating the good news to followers ofdifferent religions in a way that is respectful of their beliefsand practices, yet faithful to the call to be witness to God'slove for the world as revealed through Jesus Christ.

A good starting point for sharing good news in a multifaithsociety is to get to know, for example, your Muslim or Hinduneighbour along the street. The common identity as people offaith will usually make it quite straightforward to begin discussionabout matters of faith and belief.

On the basis of such relationships it then becomes possible tocreate opportunities for Christians and people of other faiths tomeet together and discuss their beliefs and practices with eachother in more depth. Meetings could cover particular topicssuch as beliefs about God, prayer, peace and justice, the placeof Scripture, etc.

Initially such meetings could be informal gatherings in people'shomes and they work best on the basis of existing friendships.Then, if there is sufficient interest they could be moved to a


larger venue - either in a neutral venue or alternating betweenthe buildings of those involved in the discussion - perhaps with apanel discussion. Clearly it would be important for the leadershipof the religions to be supportive of any such initiative in order toavoid misunderstandings occurring. But if Christians are up frontabout their desire to talk about their faith in Jesus, yet genuinelyopen also to hear about what makes the followers of otherreligions tick, suspicions can be overcome and the way fordialogue opened up.

Sometimes, the barriers that exist between Christians andpeople of other faiths are caused by misinformation and secondor third-hand accounts of what the other believes. So the bestway to discover what a Christian believes is to talk to aChristian; to find out about Islam talk to a Muslim, and so on.Every such encounter provides an opening to make the goodnews of Jesus known.


Let’s Reflect:The gospel story of the Canaanite woman draws attention to the way inwhich Jesus approached people of other faiths. She was not only fromoutside of the covenant community, i.e. not an Israelite, but belonged toa religious tradition with which the people of Israel had long beenopposed. It was, in fact, the Canaanites who were driven out by theIsraelites when they entered their promised land.

In this story, both the action of the Canaanite woman and the responseof Jesus are significant in helping us consider how Christians shouldconduct themselves in their encounter with people of other faiths. Thewoman saw that there was something about Jesus that set him apart, somuch so that she felt compelled to approach Him about the plight of herdaughter who was possessed by a demon. The fact that she came froma different religious starting point was of secondary importance to her andshe cried out 'Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David' (Mt. 15.22). Herreligious boundary was not so rigid that it prevented her from seeing Godas present and at work beyond it.

It is true to say that all of the world's major religions hold Jesus in highesteem. Their theological interpretations of Jesus differ considerably butvery few religious believers will be dismissive of Him, and that provides animportant platform for discussion and dialogue. Members of otherreligions will often be more open to talk withChristians about Jesus thanpeople of no faith, andsometimes more ready to talkabout him than is the casebetween Christians.

Going back to the story, Jesusresponded to the woman's pleaby saying that his calling wasinitially to the lost sheep of the


house of Israel and then, rather harshly, that it was not fair to take the children'sfood and throw it to the dogs. In Jesus' day, as is still the case in the Middle-East, to call someone a dog was the harshest of insults. It was an unpleasantbut commonly used term by groups who despised each other. That wascertainly the case between Jews and Canaanites. So we see the human Jesusvery much embedded within the culture of his day, making use of that term in asociety devoid of the political correctness which is to the fore in our own. Usingsuch terminology was simply the done thing.

Maybe that is why the woman was, apparently, undaunted by the commentfrom Jesus. She persisted and Jesus ended up by commending her for her faithand telling her that her daughter was healed. Jesus saw beyond the boundariesof his Jewish identity and recognised the depth of faith within this 'outsider'. Thiscould well have been a significant moment in Jesus' ministry when, in Hishumanity, he recognised that His mission was in fact to the whole of humanityand not just to the people of Israel. Notice too, that there is nothing in the storyto suggest that Jesus then sought to distance the woman from her ownreligious tradition. He simply responded with compassion to the need thatshe presented.

In fact, throughout the gospels Jesus appears to be far more concerned withthe intention and sincerity of a person's heart than in the outward trappings ofreligious observance. He looks beyond the external forms of religion to its veryheart and the longing for relationship with God. And therein lies the clue toconstructive encounter between people of other religions. If instead ofdismissing people of other faiths as mistaken or deluded (as is the attitude ofsome Christians) they are seen as people genuinely seeking to serve God in theirlives, an exciting platform of opportunity opens up to share what we know ofGod through Jesus.

God's love knows no boundaries and is at work in the world beyond theconfines of the Christian faith. We cannot draw our own limits around God'sgrace and mercy, which extends to every man, woman and child created inGod's image. To do so is to turn God into an idol of our own making. What wecan do is declare gracefully, but boldly, through our words and deeds, our faithin the God revealed in Jesus so that, like the Canaanite woman, people of otherfaiths might come to recognise him as their Lord.


Let’s Discuss:

1. Do you know any people who belong to other religions? If so, are theypeople who you regard as your friends?

2. What thoughts and feelings do you have about the presence ofdifferent religions within our society?

3. Have you ever spoken to someone from another religion about yourChristian faith? If so, what can you recall from that conversation? If not,is it because the opportunity has never arisen or because you have feltanxious or unsure?

4. Why do you think Jesus did not say anything to the Canaanite womanto challenge her religious beliefs?

5. What practical steps could you take to create opportunities for helpingpeople of other religious traditions with whom you might have contactto learn more about Jesus?


Action:Here are some pointers to settingup an event, working on theassumption that the local Christianleadership and the leaders of theother religion(s) concerned have agood relationship with each other.

1. Choose an appropriate venue. A'neutral' venue for a first meeting,such as a community hall, can behelpful in overcoming apprehensionabout meeting in the place of worshipof another religion.

2. Identify a title for the session. For example, 'The heart of our faith:Christian and Muslim views about God'.

3. Agree the ground rules for the session, emphasising that it's purposeis to help people come to a deeper understanding of each other'sbeliefs, not to attack or disrespect different beliefs. People will needto agree to differ.

4. Decide the format for the session. One approach is for arepresentative(s) from each religion to present their beliefs in 10-15minutes in total. After each speaker, provide opportunity for questionsof clarification only. Then, through a chairperson, the session can beopened up for questions and discussion. If there are only two religionsinvolved in the event, limit the formal part of the session to around onehour. The chairperson's role is particularly important in ensuring thatquestions are directed to the speakers in a balanced way through thechair in a way that is consistent with the ground rules.

5. Ensure some social time over light refreshments before the sessiongets underway and/or afterwards. This will help build relationshipsbetween people from different religions and allow for conversation to continue.


Prayer:Lord, help us to see our rightful place on this Earth. Equip uswith open minds, that we may appreciate every aspect of yourcreation. Help us to be a people that embrace culture anddifference. Give us voices that we can have dialogue, ears thatwe may listen, and smiles that we can be welcoming. Amen.


Our dailybread By Gordon Banks

Scripture

Mark 9:35-41


Let’s Focus:Rural community events come in a wide variety of shapesand sizes, from a prestigious County Show run over severaldays to a modest flower festival in a tiny rural church. Theycan also have a very long history going back hundreds ofyears, or be a relatively new venture or possibly somethingthat has not been done before. They can also be run entirelyby the church or by a community group or as in the case ofCounty Shows a long established organisation with bothvoluntary and salaried staff.

In the majority of cases these events will happen in aspring/summer window, May through to September/October. Itis of paramount importance that any involvement by the churchmust be both distinctive and engaged. This is a fine balance,and an overt and over enthusiastic presentation of the Christianfaith may seek only to distance and harden opinions about thechurch and its motives.

However we can and should have confidence to declare whowe are and the faith to which we adhere. On occasions an eventwith a history may have developed factions and an acrimoniousspirit. The church may be in a position to be good news ofpeace and reconciliation as well as sharing the Good News, i.e.sharing faith through words and action.

A small village in rural Sussex had at one time the Church at thephysical centre of the community. Development gradually movedthe village a couple of miles away and across a busy road. Thechurch now sits in glorious isolation surrounded by a cluster ofolder residential properties. In the ‘new village’, there is amodern village hall that sits on a large expanse of a flat greenpark area.


Some residents in the new village suffer social deprivation. It wasdecided to run a series of events over a Saturday running oninto an Act of Worship on the Sunday. The first event on theSaturday morning was a session on faith sharing, based around1 Peter 3:15 and was held in the church. In the afternoon aFood Fair was held in the Village Hall. Local farmers andproducers were invited to come together to sell and display theirwares, free of charge.

The whole event was based around the Lord’s Prayer ‘OurDaily Bread.’ Alongside the produce on sale there were simplerefreshments using local produce and fair traded goods, plusactivities for children. Everyone was welcomed by appointedpeople and on leaving given an invitation to the Act ofWorship. In the evening they held a supper in the Village Hallwith the title ‘Food for Thought’ with testimonies and song.Members of the congregation could have a ticket, the pricebring at least one not yet believer.


Let’s Reflect:“He who is not against us is for us”

It is John the ‘son of thunder’ who comes to Jesus with a report ofsomeone not of the group using the name of Jesus to cast out demons.

In the thinking of the time it was a common understanding that demonshad names and a power attached to that name. If you could invoke astronger power by use of another name then the demon would becomesubject to dismissal.

This is broadly the argument thrown at Jesus in Mark 3:22. There is adanger here that the disciples are using the same argument as theScribes. On the power and use of names see the story of Moses’meeting with God and his subsequent discussion with ‘God’ about hisname - Exodus 3.

Is it ever right to invoke the name of someone, perhaps known as apersonal friend, to try and gain favour or shortcut due process?

“…we told him to stop because he was not one of our group.”

Sadly, in some instances the mounting of what should be a celebrationand an opportunity to work together becomes a battleground withcontrol over miner-kingdoms being jealously guarded and fought over.‘They do not belong to the flower arranger’s guild and therefore they haveno right to mount a floral display.’ How can we find a way of beinginclusive and yet at the same time get the best out of everybody,because not everybody will be good at flower arranging?

At another level we will find ourselves dealing with those outside theChristian faith, or those of another faith community. These people areclearly ‘not of our group’ - what is the right approach to engagingwith them?


Isaiah speaks very clearly about those ‘outside’ being called by God tofulfil his purposes. See Isaiah 44:28. However, for the most part Isaiahspeaks to wayward Israel, that has failed to look after the orphan and thewidow, to exercise justice, mercy, care and compassion. This begs thequestion does God only work through Christians and His church to fulfilHis purposes in the world?

So, if you are holding an event at which you are inviting stall holders,what criteria might you use to discern who may or may not mount adisplay or a stall? If you are participating in an event organised by others,would there be things you would feel it inappropriate to associate with?Taking a literal reading of ‘anyone who is not against us, is for us’; couldenable us to associate with absolutely anyone who invites us to be partof their event.

‘If anyone gives you a cup of cold water because you belong to theMessiah, I assure you that person will be rewarded.” Just how they willbe rewarded is not spelt out, but perhaps we need to hold this againstthe story of the separation of sheep and goats, (see Matthew 25:31). This judgement echoes that of Isaiah with a call of correct practice over orthodoxy.

Should we have been the grateful recipient of that ‘cup of cold water’,are there ways in which we could say ‘thank you?’ This might be apractical letter or email after an event thanking someone for their help.What effect do you think this may have on someone receiving such athank you?

People may not be regular worshippers, and being aware of the dangerof sexist stereotypes, this might often be the men who live their faith byproxy through their spouses. However, again perhaps being a tad sexist,men can often be drawn into a venture such as a flower festival, if forexample they are asked to build a water feature. The opportunity to enlistthe good will and support of those ‘not of our group’ and work togetherin the common enterprise of realising God’s kingdom is manifold throughfetes, festivals and fun-days.


Let’s Discuss:

1. Organising an event like this takes a lot of effort and good will.How can we ensure that no one rides roughshod oversomeone else in their desire to control or to be seen as tooimportant to be ignored?

2. Very often an event will be organised and only then will thoughtbe given to any children who may just happen to be about.How can we ensure children and young people are not simplyan afterthought but considered as integral to any initiative thatinvolves all ages?

3. One of the rules of St. Benedict is that guests should be greetedas if they were Christ. How can we learn to greet and welcomeeveryone in this spirit?


4. Christians do not live in glorious isolation for the most part.How can we share in a common enterprise with those who donot hold to the same values and morals as we may do asChristians?

5. Community events need to have the goodwill and practicalhelp of everyone, those who attend church and those who donot. How can we be witnesses to our faith so that itcontributes to a transforming community?


Action:This context lends itself more accurately to be described as transformingcommunities. The Christian community worked well at engaging differentgroups within the community so that all those who involved themselves inthe Food Fair felt integrated and respected.

The Parish Council was so enthused by the success of the Food Fair thatthey are now keen to carry the initiative forward. A crucial part of thesuccess was to pass on to them all the right information. This hasresulted in both buyers and sellers indicating their keenness to see theFood Fair continue on the church premises. Therefore a pre-Christmasmarket has been arranged in November, with even more stall holders, tobe followed by regular (probably quarterly) Food Fairs in 2009.

I am thrilled that our local producers will continue to have this supportand that the community will be given the opportunity to buy fresh localproduce. What is great is that the Food Fair will continue at the Church, itwill give us a great opportunity to gently share our faith through thebuilding up of relationships.

Prayer:Almighty God, help us to get alongside everyone within ourcommunity. Through our ministry enable us to be peoplewho hold the community together rather than divide. Enableyour grace to abound in each of us as we witness inpractical ways, to those around us. Amen.


Befriendingthe outcastsBy Sue

Scripture

Luke 7:37-50


Let’s Focus:There are approximately 80,000 women involved in streetprostitution within the UK. In the city where I am based in theNorth of the UK, it is estimated that around 300 women havebeen involved in street prostitution in the past 12 months. Onany given 2 hour outreach session we could, as a team, chatto between 2 and 19 women. Almost all of the women wemeet will have some dependency on heroin, crack cocaine oralcohol – for many their dependency will, at some level, be onall three. Whilst on the street, the women regularly encounterabuse in some form, whether verbally from passers-by orphysically from the clients they go with. Women have sharedstories with us of occasions when they have been held atknife point and raped.

Our approach is simple - we take out hot drinks and cakes tothe women on the streets and use these gifts as symbols of ourlove and care; this also provides us with the opportunity to askthe women how they are and ask if there is anything we canpray for. We are also a visible presence to others and thewomen regularly thank us for coming out because, they tell us,our presence on the streets helps them feel safe.

Our vision for the outreach we do each week is simple• to show the women we meet that people do care• to share with them that they are loved by God and

precious to Him• to offer to pray for the women when it feels appropriate,

praying into their experiences and situations• to offer to meet the women away from the street to develop

our relationship with them.


Let’s Reflect:In all 4 Gospels there is the story of awoman who came to anoint Jesuswith an alabaster jar of perfume. Thewoman who came to anoint Jesus inthe Gospel of Luke is a differentwoman than the one we meet inMatthew, Mark and John. For inthese Gospels the woman with theperfume comes much later inJesus’ ministry. In fact she appearsin the last week of Jesus’ life andtherefore the anointing of theperfume was to prepare Jesus’ body for burial – an ancient ritual used at that time.

The woman of Luke comes much earlier in Jesus’ ministry; she comes toanoint Him with the perfume not to prepare Him for burial, but as a signof her heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving.

We have no background information about the woman of Luke, we don’teven know her name, there is no mention of her meeting Jesus beforeher visit to the Pharisee’s house, but something has happened to her, forafter hearing that Jesus is in Simon’s house, she decides to visit him.Meals of this type hosted by the Pharisees for special guests were notprivate events but public – anyone could come in and watch what wasgoing on. In fact it was custom that those who were poor and had nomeans of providing for themselves could come to such an event and eatwhat was left on the table after the guests had finished eating.

It was a public event, open to all – except the town’s outcasts; thiswasn’t the place for them to show their faces. Being an outcast meantthat you were ostracised, banished from the public gaze. And there wasno-one more ostracised than this woman – who is simply termed as ‘a


woman who lived a sinful life in that town’. She was in fact the town’sprostitute – ‘the sinner’. Can you imagine the stares and the sneers thatshe got each time she left her home? Can you imagine that wherever shewent the townsfolk would have been gossiping behind her back? If youcan imagine the abuse she suffered, then you might be able to grasp howcourageous she was in visiting Jesus at such a public event and especiallyin the home of a Pharisee. Remember that the Pharisees were those whofollowed the Jewish Law to the letter and particularly the codes of purity,yet such a woman dares to enter Simon’s home.

She was a courageous woman or maybe we might argue she was hard-faced. And hard-faced is what she would have learnt to become to survivein that town. To cope with the accusing eyes, the judging comments andthe hurls of abuse – being hard-faced was a survival strategy – a survivalstrategy for this woman and also for the women caught up in prostitutionall over the UK today, some 80,000! The hard-faced-ness can give off anair of - “I don’t care” attitude and yet in reality it’s only a mask to hidewhat’s really happening underneath - the shame, degradation and the guiltthat haunt those involved in such a lifestyle.

We are not told when it happened but somewhere along the way thiswoman, known by everyone as ‘the one who led a sinful life’ experienceda life-changing encounter with Jesus. An encounter that allowed her tosummon up all her courage, which enabled her to get through the door ofSimon’s home, ignoring the glares and the whispers so that she could fallat Jesus feet and pour out the perfume as a sign of her heartfelt gratitudeand thanksgiving.

An encounter that sets about a change in her that Jesus speaks aboutwhen He tells Simon about the story of the two money lenders and howtheir debts were cancelled and asks which one would love more – the onewho owed 50 Denarii or the one who owed 500? Jesus uses that story toshow that the woman anointed Him because she loved much, and sheloved much, Jesus tells us, because she had been forgiven much. Andbefore she leaves, Jesus says to her “Your faith has saved you: go inpeace”. Peace now that she is released from the shame, the degradationand the guilt. Peace to know that she is forgiven and can now begin anew life, a new life given to her from her encounter with Jesus.


1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you have felt an outcast orhave felt that you’ve been ostracised?

2. Who are the outcasts in the community where you live? Who are thosewho are viewed as having ‘lived a sinful life’?

3. What is your attitude towards them? How do you feel about them?

4. Imagine such a person coming to a home in your community becausethey’ve heard that Jesus is eating there. What reaction would they get fromthose meeting in the house? What do you think Jesus would say to them?

5. What do you think the good news of the Gospel would mean for them?How might their life change?

Let’s Discuss:


Action:Jackie, who has been involved in prostitution from fifteen years ofage, she is now in her thirties. In the past Jackie has been dependenton heroin and has been an alcoholic for many years. Her story is oneof pain and heartache from a young age. We have recently begunmeeting up with her away from the streets.

She has a need to be forgiven of her past; she also has a desperateneed to receive from God a new life. When she was asked recently ifshe wanted to accept Jesus into her life her reply was, “Well I think Ideserve Him after all I have been through in my life!” Jackie’s lifeexperiences are so harrowing that on hearing them you almost thinkthat they couldn’t possibly be true.

One day we took Jackie out and when our time together wasdrawing to an end she said that we must pray for her before we left.Then she emphasised that she wanted us to pray with her and notfor her. And sure enough as we started to pray she began to pray forherself and in tears she asked God to forgive her and asked Him tocome to her and to help her sort her life out. As we left she told us,“God’s come, I know He’s come because I feel different, I feel aweight has been lifted”.

Jackie is at the beginning of a newjourney in her life, and sheaccepts that it is one step at atime. There has been a lot ofdarkness in her life and she hasbeen ostracised by many people,including her own family. But wetrust that peace will be hers, forjust as Jesus said to the womanwith the alabaster jar of perfume,He also says to Jackie, “Yourfaith has saved you: go inpeace”.(names have been changed)


Prayer:Almighty God, help me to have a heart for those who areoutcasts. Let me see through the veneer of their life and bepart of their potential for the future. Where there ishopelessness let me instil hope. Where there is silence,enable me to bring forth a voice of joy. Above all give melove in my heart for those you love. Amen.


All our contributors are Church Army Evangelists who have excellentexperience of the subject of the study they have submitted.

Paul Fitzpatrick C.A.As Church Army’s Head of Fundraising, Paul views hisministry as ensuring the resources required for effectiveevangelistic ministry are raised. He was commissioned in1998 and has worked in a variety of parish contexts. Asan Evangelist he has a passion to see the Kingdom ofGod grow and develop.

Richard Tett C.A.As an evangelist with the Church Army Bus Project, based inEllsemere Port, Richard wants to see young people come toa living faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of the project.Richard was commissioned in 2006; he has a passion tomake the good news known to all those he meets daily.

Richard Martin C.A.Born in Brighton, Richard has worked in insurance andas a Church Army Evangelist in two parishes inYorkshire and one in Kent. He currently teaches RE ata school in Maidstone, and as the Assistant Ministerat St Francis of Assisi Church in Strood.

Jenny Colby C.A.Jenny is Licensed to the Bracknell Deanery and sees herwork as a Church Army Evangelist as showing God'slove to all in the community. She does this throughChurch links such as Baptisms and Funerals and also byinvolvement in schools, residential homes, and at theTea House. She was commissioned in 1974. She hasfour grown up children and loves being Grandma to herthree grandchildren.

Biography of Contributors


Jonathan Wiggam C.A.Jonathan acts as an initiator for community outreach inAldershot. Envisioning, enabling and empowering thechurch in mission. His ministry is all encompassing withparticular key mission focuses on young people, menand the pub and club culture. Jonathan wascommissioned in 2004.

Ian Maher C.A.As Head of the Multifaith Chaplaincy at Sheffield HallamUniversity, Ian oversees the chaplaincy's response to thereligious, spiritual and pastoral needs of its students andstaff. Commissioned in 1991 Ian's previous posts includea parish in south-east London and a stint on the staff atWilson Carlile College of Evangelism.

Gordon Banks C.A.Commissioned in 1986, Gordon has served in Luton,the North East and the South West. He is nowdiocesan Evangelist for the diocese of Chichester. Heseeks to stand along side people in the spirit ofBarnabas, enthusing and giving encouragement toshare the faith in words and action.

Sue a Church Army EvangelistSue’s ministry involves developing relationships withwomen involved in street prostitution, in a city in thenorth of the UK. She was commissioned in 2001.Today through exploring Christian community as afresh expression of Church, working with a team ofvolunteers, Sue as project coordinator, enables thesevulnerable women to taste and see something of theLife in its Fullness that Jesus Christ gives us.


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To make a donation by telephone please call 020 8309 3519 and quote SGD09

You can also give online by visiting www.churcharmy.org.uk/giving

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donation worth more at no extra cost to you. For every

pound you give to us, we get an extra 28 pence from

the Inland Revenue. So just tick here. It's that simple.

To qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in income tax or capital gains tax must at least equal the amount we

will claim in the tax year. Remember to notify us if you no longer pay an amount of income tax and/or

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In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, we will not pass your details on to third parties for

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Church Army, Marlowe House, 109 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7BR

Tel: 020 8309 3519 Fax: 020 8309 [email protected]

Registered Charity No. 226226

ISBN 978-0-9509281-1-1

the fullness of life

Documents

challenge of evangelism

examples of evangelism

individual values

christian faiththrough

great adventure of evangelism

rule of life

organisationalcorporate

paul fitzpatrickchurch