Sunday, February 20, 2011

Questions for life and Ministry...

THEOLOGY & FAITH IN PRACTICE
Our understanding of the universe, God, our relationship with God and relationships with others shape and drive our identity and lifestyle. The things we believe to be true build our worldview and direct our choices.
I do not presume that everyone comes from a theistic worldview, much less that all people reading this are Christians, nevertheless, these questions are posed to the Christian thinker and presuppose a Bible-founded faith in God.

Ministry: What role does an individual play in the function of a local church?


Evangelism: What is the purpose and role of Evangelism?
Is there a certain level of "ought to" evangelize for Christians and does that level vary?
Are there right and wrong, good or bad means of communicating the gospel?

Discuss the merits and uses of each level or channel of communicating the Gospel?

a. passive: personal example of pious living
b. active casual: discussion with a friend or acquaintance, invite to an event or service
c. proactive personal: seek out people to evangelize in conversation
d. proactive service: seek out people with needs you can meet to result in sharing the gospel (note, there are many who serve without the intention or result of sharing the gospel)
e. temporary missionary service: domestic or international trips for days-months
f. long term missionary service: vocational lifestyle of full-time missions
g1. aggressive public: street preachers and mild picketers, marches, and use of a public platform
g2. aggressive caustic: street shouters who make accusations and focus on condemnation, picketers who have insulting, inflammatory, or condemning messages,
Further Discussion: People communicating in this fashion tend to attract large amounts of attention and criticism. Given the often antagonistic response, is "aggressive caustic" communication effective in the end, and is there a net positive result?
h. advertising and signage: church signs and outdoor billboards, maybe even graffiti
i. mass media/entertainment: radio, televangelism, web, audio, music, tv programs and film (see also literature and fiction below)
j. entertainment platform/experiential: magicians, comedians, storytellers, theme parks, and places like the renowned "Whit's End".
k. published literature: periodicals, tracts, non-fiction, and fiction

Hmmm... that chunk may bit a bit hard to chew all at once. You might take a shallow look first without analyzing each part, or just pick a point that sticks out to you.

No comments:

Post a Comment