evangelism online- december 2004

By Nelson Searcy and John Troy

Courtesy of The Epic Team
http://www.EvangelismOnline.org

Evangelism Online: Church Health, Church Growth and Church Planting


**EVANGELISM / CHURCH GROWTH**


7 QUESTIONS SKEPTICS ASK
By Rusty Wright

"Hurting people everywhere need God. Many are open to considering Him, but they often have questions they want answered before they are willing to accept Christ. As we answer them, seeking to blend grace with truth, an increasing number of skeptics may give an ear and become seekers or believers."

NUMBER OF UNCHURCHED ADULTS HAS NEARLY DOUBLED SINCE 1991 By George Barna

"Since 1991, the adult population in the United States has grown by 15%. During that same period the number of adults who do not attend church has nearly doubled, rising from 39 million to 75 million - a 92% increase!"


BREAKING GROWTH BARRIERS
New Audio Resources by Nelson Searcy

Christmas Special - each CD only $10 and free shipping

CD 1: Breaking the 125 Barrier ($10)

CD 2: Breaking the 250 Barrier ($10)

Each CD explores the issues related to breaking the 125 or 250 growth barriers. You will explore the hindrances to growth at each barrier, the decisions required to break each barrier and ten actions you can take to break the barriers.

To receive the special rate and free shipping order via phone with Mastercard/Visa or Amex, call Kelley at call 212.730.8300 x208 (free shipping when purchased by phone via Visa/MC/Amex)

Nelson Searcy is the founding Pastor of The Journey Church in New York, NY, a multicultural, multi-site church in Manhattan that has grown from a handful of people in 2002 to a current congregation of over 900.  Nelson is an experienced strategist, church planter, coach and trainer.  Before coming to New York, Nelson was the founding director of The Purpose Driven Community at Saddleback Church. He also serves as the publisher of Evangelism OnLine.


COMMUNICATING CHRIST TO SECULAR AUDIENCES by Rusty Wright

"As Christian leaders, we offer the world a gift infinitely more valuable than a million dollars-the gift of peace with God and eternal life. At life's end, I don't want to lament the many who were confused about Jesus Christ because I did not make the message clear."

  • Practical tips on making the gospel understandable and relevant to non-Christians in a variety of contexts
  • Probe Ministries
  • Available at: httphttp://fm2.forministry.com/article.asp?Record=3473


10 SURPRISES ABOUT THE UNCHURCHED
by Thom Rainer

"More than nine out of 10 of the unchurched said they would come to church if they were invited. If you glean anything from this article, please remember this point."

For more from Thom Rainer, see his latest book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310248604/epic03/


DON'T MISS OUT!

Register for your EPIC Adventure before December 15th to qualify for our Early Bird Deadline and receive a $50 discount off the regular price of each person's mission trip! 

EPIC Adventures is a non-profit organization that provides week long student mission trips in some of America's largest mission fields - our cities!  On your Adventure, your students will work with a local church plant to demonstrate God's love through servant evangelism (intentional acts of service and kindness). 

Imagine taking a mission trip that challenges your students to:

  • Develop a servant's heart
  • Stretch their faith
  • Make a radical impact for the Kingdom of God
  • Return home and start reaching your community for Jesus

Choose from one of four great cities for your Summer 2005 EPIC Adventure:

  • New York City
  • Boston
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Seattle

Don't just settle for the same trip again this summer - make 2005 the year your students experience something totally new and fresh!

To REGISTER for your Summer 2005 EPIC Adventure or to request more information, contact:

http://www.epicadventures.org, john@epicteam.org, or 1-800-264-5129.


EPIC Adventures has been featured or endorsed by Group Magazine, Youth Specialties, National Network of Youth Ministries, New Hope New York, the North American Mission Board (SBC) and many others.


EVANGELISM THAT FLOWS (Classic Article)

"Friends listen to friends. If we train individuals to naturally communicate their faith, we will see people come to Christ."


**CULTURE AND CHRISTIANITY**


BECOMING A CULTURAL REDEMPTIVE
by Brian Orme

"The Apostle Paul often referenced cultural things to point the people to their need for redemption. He used idols, the words of the poets of the day and the people’s love for the Olympic games, all to connect them with a deep-seated desire he knew they already had: a desire to be redeemed."


10 QUESTIONS TO ASK @ CHRISTMAS
by Don Whitney

"Many of us struggle to make conversation at Christmas gatherings, whether church events, work-related parties, neighborhood drop-ins, or annual family occasions.  Sometimes our difficulty lies in having to chat with people we rarely see or have never met. At other times, we simply don't know what to say to those with whom we feel little in common."


EDITORS NOTE: Merry Christmas from the Evangelism OnLine Team!


**BOOKS**

7 PRACTICES OF EFFECTIVE MINISTY
By Andy Stanley
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590523733/epic03/

There's no scoreboard in the sanctuary, and the only plate is probably for the offering. But every church leader needs to know how to win, and every congregation needs to know when to cheer. This insightful book speaks to every church leader who yearns for a simpler, more effective approach to ministry.


THE UNCHURCHED NEXT DOOR
By Thom Rainer
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310248604/epic03/

In this fascinating book, Rainer identifies five "faith stages" -levels of responsiveness, prefixed with a "U" for "Unchurched" -that represent your running buddy, your sister-in-law, or your hairdresser: U1 Highly receptive to hearing and believing the Good News U2 Receptive to the gospel and church U3 Neutral, with no clear signs of being interested yet perhaps being open to discussion U4 Resistant to the gospel, but with no antagonistic attitude U5 Highly antagonistic and even hostile to the gospel

**FEATURED LINK**

CHRISTMAS ILLUSTRATIONS FOR TEACHING AND PREACHING
http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/christmas/features/ptillustrations.html

Subscribe to Church Leader Insights

Church Leader Insights is a bi-weekly publication sent via email that focuses on effective leadership, church growth, church planting evangelism and much more.

First Name State
Email Address