evangelism online- October 2004

By Nelson Searcy, Jason Hatley, and John Troy

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

Evangelism Online: Church Health, Church Growth and Church Planting


**EVANGELISM / CHURCH GROWTH**


THE INVISIBLE SIDE OF OUTREACH
By Jim Cymbala

"Unfortunately, when it comes to evangelistic outreach, we often overlook [the discipline of prayer]. We discount the truth that for us to be effective in our efforts to expand Christ's Kingdom on Earth, the Holy Spirit's power must be our source."

TGIM: THANK GOD ITS MONDAY

"God sees no partitions between the 'sacred' and the 'secular' callings. His voice is sacred enough to make every calling -even those deemed 'secular'-meaningful and divine. It's how we answer the call that determines whether we're working for God's kingdom or our own."

SUMMER 2005 STUDENT MISSION TRIPS
http://www.epicadventures.org

Here's what others are saying about EPIC Adventures Summer Mission Trips:

"This trip totally opened my eyes.  My life is completely changed!"
--Nicole, 15: 2004 Student Participant

"This week was incredible.  I can't believe how many people we reached!"
--Lindsay, 14: 2004 Student Participant

"Our folks started planning our next EPIC Adventure before we ever made it home!"
--Cliff, Student Pastor: 2004 Adult Participant

Imagine taking your students on a mission trip that both grows their faith and makes a radical impact for the Kingdom of God!

Imagine a mission trip where they return home eager to serve and eternallyimpact their community for Christ!

That's what EPIC Adventures is all about!  EPIC provides week long mission trips in some of America's largest mission fields - our cities!  

On your Adventure, your students will develop a servant's heart and a passion for sharing Christ as they work with a local church plant to demonstrate God's love through servant evangelism (acts of service and kindness).  It's a fun and easy way to inspire your students to serve!

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 request your FREE Leaders Guide or to find out 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, National Network of Youth Ministries, New Hope New York, the North American Mission Board (SBC) and many others.

LESSONS FROM MADISON AVENUE: Common Miscues in Church Marketing
By Chad Hall

"Churches across America have an image problem, not a product problem. Through our marketing (intended and unintended), we send out messages to our communities that keep people away from the gospel."

IF SOMEBODY SAYS THE WORD "SAVED", WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
By Billy Graham

"I have seen people come to Christ with no emotion. I've seen them come with tears. I've seen them come with laughter. I've seen them come in every emotional condition possible. I've seen them come to Christ out of love for Him. I've seen them come to Christ out of fear of judgment and hell."


**LEADERSHIP**

Preaching Morality in an Amoral Age
By Tim Keller

"Pascal said that every human philosophy or religion will lead either to human pride or to human despair, but only the gospel of grace can deal with both."

  • How can you blow the whistle when people don't believe there are rules? 
  • Christianity Today Library
  • Available at: http://www.ctlibrary.com/2758

FEATURED CONFERENCES
Journey Leadership Seminars, New York City

In less than three years, The Journey Church of the City has grown from one family to a multicultural, multi-location church of over 1000, with most of the growth coming from new believers.  These seminars will explore two key elements of The Journey's growth: contemporary preaching and de-centralized small groups.

BUILDING A CHURCH OF SMALL GROUPS
Led by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas
Tuesday, October 26, 8:30am - 12:30pm, $49

At The Journey, over 90% of the congregation is involved in weekly decentralized small groups.  This practical seminar will explore how you can build a small group system that makes it easy for people to get connected while at the same time rapidly producing leaders.  You will learn the nuts and bolts of small group management as well as the pitfalls to avoid.


PREACHING THAT RADICALLY TRANSFORMS LIVES
Led by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas
Tuesday, November 2, 8:30am - 12:30pm, $49

Preaching should be a life transforming event.  This innovative seminar will teach you to plan your preaching, call for commitment and integrate media & testimony while encouraging people to take the next step in their spiritual journey. During this practical seminar you will learn how to develop outlines, teaching series and sermons that transform lives in fresh and creative ways.


All Journey Leadership Seminars are held at The Journey Church of the City in New York City.  For additional information and complete seminar information, e-mail Karen@nyjourney.com or call 212-730-8300 x212.

BALANCE IS BUNK

"Instead of trying to balance all of our commitments and passions at any one time, let's acknowledge that anything important, and anything done well, demands our full investment. At some times, it may be a demanding child or an unhappy spouse, and the office will suffer. At others, it may be winning the account, and child and spouse will have to fend for themselves. Only over time can we really balance a portfolio of diverse experiences."


**CULTURE AND CHRISTIANITY**

JAKES ON THE LOOSE

The first risk is the business risk-putting millions of dollars into something when you don't know if anybody's going to pay attention. The only reason any of us are willing to make the risk was that we believe in the message.

**BOOKS**

CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS ON THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
By James M. Kouzes, Barry Z. Posner & John C. Maxwell
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0787967858/epic03/

More than two decades ago, authors Kouzes and Posner first presented what they call the five "exemplary leadership" practices: "Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart." Here they join forces with contributors John Maxwell, Ken Blanchard, Patrick Lencioni, David McAllister-Wilson and pastor Nancy Ortberg to reveal how Christian leaders in secular and faith-based organizations can learn to apply those five practices and, in the words of Maxwell, "rise to that 'Jesus pattern' of leadership."


STARTING HIGH DEFINITION CHURCHES
By Ron Sylvia
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0975450905/epic03/

If you are thinking about starting a new church or you are involved in church planting, this book is a must. This book takes you from the dream/calling stage to the starting and growing stage. Along the way, Ron teaches you valuable lessons like: launching large, the scaffolding principle (you won't keep everyone you reach) and growing beyond 200. Ron has put the best lessons from his experience and the experience of others in one place (btw, the appendix and bibliography alone are worth the price of the book).

In an easy to read (and easy to do) style, Ron helps you start right and helps keep you on track. Its been hard to find practical books on church planting - no more, this is it! - Nelson Searcy, Publisher, Evangelism On-Line


**FEATURED LINK**

OUTREACH http://www.outreach.com

Founded in 1996 by Scott Evans, Outreach Inc. has quickly grown to become the largest provider of outreach products and services in North America. The company was launched with the mission of empowering Christian churches to reach their communities for Jesus Christ.

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