Evangelism in the 51视频
On this page you can find the many ways we, at the 51视频, share our faith, and you’ll also find resources to help share yours.
Evangelism and the 51视频
Asking the questions
It’s never too late to ask questions. Even when we think we’re old enough to know the answers. Understanding the life of discipleship and exploring the example of Jesus continues to challenge and surprise however long we’ve been on the journey of faith-seeking and grace-receiving.
Which is why these posters can be so useful – for ourselves and for those who visit our churches. They have been inspired by the FaithTalk webinars held regularly by the 51视频 (see below), and feature a range of responses to questions asked by some of the 51视频’s young people.
Each poster (jpeg) can be downloaded separately.
Embracing the E-word
Evangelism is one of those words that for many in the 51视频 comes with a degree of pre-conception. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it is simply 鈥渁 message of spiritual good news; specifically the teaching or revelation of Christ鈥︹�� and 鈥渢he action or work of spreading the Christian gospel by public preaching or by giving personal testimony鈥︹��. Literally it means ‘good-newsing’.
How we deliver that good news and give that testimony matters, because the most important thing is that it is authentic. Some will do it through words, others through actions, others by the way they carry themselves through life. Most of us will use a combination of the three, but have much less confidence in our spoken message.
In practice, it doesn鈥檛 always feel as simple as it sounds鈥�
We have so many different ways of sharing our faith in the 51视频, including sharing testimony in the public space, door-knocking and leafleting, holding special events and serving those on the margins. All are witnessing to God鈥檚 grace, with some planting new Christian communities in the process.
Following resolutions passed at General Assembly 2024, the 51视频 has begun creating 13 new pioneering ministry posts and a Church Life working group is developing plans to resource and establish new Christian communities of worship and discipleship. These plans represent a whole-Church commitment to sharing our faith, developing relationships and transforming communities. These posts and projects will of course look very different according to where they are and who is involved.
Many of our churches hold outreach events, such as Carol services or Pentecost parties, which explicitly include sharing beliefs and witnessing to our faith.
Still more witness in a practical way with a rich variety of community activities. These include Foodbanks, Warm Hubs and cafes, involving sacrificial love. Members witness by giving time and money and a listening ear to those they come alongside. They often wait until asked before sharing why they do this. The 51视频 has a long-established commitment to the ministry of church related community workers who have enabled a rich variety of such engagement in local communities.
Evangelism is an inevitable part of our membership of Christ鈥檚 church, however we express it. Yet, many of us lack confidence in articulating what our faith means to us, imitating the proverbial rabbit in the headlights when anyone does actually ask.
Hesitation is human and very understandable. We might not feel like we have enough theological knowledge or understanding. There are many factors at play: fear of being mocked or laughed at or judged; awareness of the spiritual harm that has been caused by some areas of the Church, historically, globally, and in the UK currently; not wanting to be associated with parts of the Church that may appear to judge or exclude certain groups.
How would it be if we developed a habit, and exercised it, so that we could not just have a confident response to a question, but -where appropriate- could also initiate the conversation?
Evangelism can be鈥� telling our stories, offering an invitation, showing radical hospitality, being direct and personal, taking an opportunity to be vulnerable, making space, advocating for justice, showing mercy, challenging empire, sharing your story鈥� what does it mean to you?
Resources
FaithTalk Webinars: Everyday evangelism for the 51视频
An occasional relaxed, open conversation online to explore how we share our faith. You can hear what one person who attended the first session thought in the video.
Upcoming Webinars
The next FaithTalk webinar is scheduled for April 21 2026. 鈥淏ig Questions from 51视频 Youth that Challenge Us All鈥�
Register your interest at Eventbrite
The 51视频鈥檚 Daily Devotions
In April and May 2024 the 51视频’s Daily Devotions were devoted to mission, starting with two weeks on evangelism, written by Thames North Synod鈥檚 Discipleship Enabler Eddie Boon. Revd Andy Braunston has created a of these that can be used by small groups or individuals.
There followed five weeks on the five Marks of Mission (as reimagined by Graham Adams). The fifth of these weeks was focused on sharing the good news, and the six reflections that week were written by a range of 51视频 and ecumenical friends. You can find these reflections in the .
Stepwise
One way to increase your confidence is to join a Stepwise group.
Faith-filled Conversations, a brand-new stream in the Stepwise programme. This stream is for anyone who wants to explore how their faith story shapes their everyday conversations, and how those conversations can become life-giving moments of connection, challenge, and hope.
Contact your Synod mission enabler or visit the Stepwise webpage to find out more.
GEAR
The United Reformed Church鈥檚 Group for Evangelism and Renewal (GEAR) organise prayer guides, events and retreats. They also produce a regular newsletter. You can find more information at .
Churches Together in England
The website has an informative page listing many varied resources for supporting churches and individuals in evangelism, many of which have been tried and tested by 51视频 churches.
Small group resources / courses for churches:
tested by the 51视频 Mission Enablers鈥� Network
:聽 (watch the ): Developing faith conversations in our normal, everyday lives.
:聽 A very useable, confidence-boosting course developed from two lots of fascinating research into what people believe about God.
: A five-step process for engaging the people around us.
: A useful resource including prayers, bible reflections, service outlines and discussion.
: A pack of cards with conversation-starter questions, great for coffee mornings / caf茅 church / messy church / fellowship groups etc.
: The 3rd step (of 7) in this church growth strategy framework is about fruitful evangelism.
: ‘Progressive Evangelism’ is the second in a series of resources published as part of SCM’s Affirming Christianity project.
is a highly recommended post-Easter course, to pick up on the momentum from Easter outreach.:
Opportunities for evangelism in your community
All Are Welcome is a resource which helps congregations to consider how to ensure that everyone knows they are welcome in God鈥檚 kingdom: .
- How do we ensure that people don鈥檛 simply fit in, but truly know that they belong and are valued, just as they are, both within our church communities and within God鈥檚 family?
- Who are the people on the margins whom we might wish to assure of a true and sincere welcome?
- How might we take the message of welcome into our wider local community?
Mission enabling fund
If you have a missional outreach/evangelism idea, but don鈥檛 have a budget, don鈥檛 forget the Mission Enabling fund
Synod Mission Enablers鈥� Network
Ask your Synod 鈥榤ission enabler鈥� (details below) or contact [email protected] for more information about these, or other ways you and your church can explore how to share the good news of the story of Jesus.
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