While we still have a month…
25 07 2007… or so before the semester begins, I wanted to post a couple of discussion ideas for our faithmaking sessions. Whether you are a current Mesa student or far away, you are invited to participate in our on-line discussions. The following is a variation on the Engel’s Scale, which I always felt was too cognitive, even though Engel describes how many people come to Christ through event-centered evangelism. Though there is much to explain about the following scale, I invite feedback and discussion. Let me offer just a few points for clarification:
1. This is not to replace event-centered evangelism, just to add the possibility of journey to those cases which require it.
2. The idea is, if somebody is at "2", seek to help them to "3".
3. I really like the emphasis on the body in evangelizing normal people.
John 14:6 and Evangelism
A process evangelism scale for reaching Normal People
1.
FEAR or ANGER: This person will run away screaming in fear, or
will perhaps fake death or a fainting spell at any mention of Christ, Bible,
Faith, Spirituality, Morality, or What happens to us when we die.
2.
CONNECTION TO A FOLLOWER: This person will honor their friendship
or relationship with you, but is not interested in engaging in spiritual
conversations.
3.
INTEREST IN “THE WAY”: This person is asking questions about
lifestyle, philosophy, morality, relationships, etc…, knowing full well that
you will respond from a Christian perspective.
4.
EXPLORATION WITH A GUIDE: God’s work in this person is evidenced
by their willingness to enter spiritual places, such as conversations, Church
buildings, ministry activities, Bible study groups, or informal gatherings
where Followers of Christ are doing their thing.
5.
EXPERIMENT WITH COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE: This person is making the
transition from observing others to following Christ in a personal way,
identifying themselves as someone who may be “on the journey.”
6.
INTEGRATION/LORDSHIP/SALVATION: This person has realized that
following Christ is going to lead to choices and roads they would not have
walked under their own initiative. If we are too forceful here and try to make
a person commit to following Christ before they have chosen to, we may drive
them to stage 1 (Fear or Anger).
7.
FORMAL EXPRESSION: This person will take part in the ceremony and
celebration of Baptism. This is important, like a wedding, because the follower
now takes on the name “Christian,” at a conscious level.
8.
IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT: This person will identify more and more
with the marks of being a Christian, and will seek to grow in the mind of
Christ. This person will begin to integrate spiritual disciplines into their
life, such as prayer, meditation and Bible study. We call this “discipleship.”
9.
EYES FOR THE WORLD: This follower sees the need for Christ in the
lives of those around him and develops a heart of reconciliation and love for
those who do not follow Christ. We call this “evangelism.”
10.
FOLLOWER AS LEADER: This person invites others to follow Christ,
to grow in Christ, and lead others to do the same. We call this
“disciple-making.”
