Listen with ears of tolerance! See through the eyes of compassion! Speak with the language of love. Rumi (Sufi Mystic)
This month, I am exploring the rich theme of “Embracing the Liturgy: Evangelism,” inspired by insights from Priscilla Pope-Levison’s “Models of Evangelism,” complemented by ideas from Mike Breen’s “Building a Discipleship Culture” and Janet Gear’s “Undivided Love.”
It’s vital to address two essential and complex perceptions surrounding evangelism in many contexts upfront. Often, evangelism is entangled with political and cultural views that may not resonate with the inclusive values embraced by diverse communities. Such associations can overshadow the truly inclusive nature of evangelism, which at its heart reflects the universal principles and proclamation of acts of love, compassion, and service.
Moreover, sharing one’s faith story and inviting others into the experience, evangelism—is often seen as unique to Christianity. However, it is a practice shared among various faith traditions. Each culture and belief system has its rich mosaic of stories and methods for weaving the communal fabric that binds people together.
The exploration of Christian evangelism is a journey to rediscover the essence of Jesus’ teachings, characterized by unconditional love and a commitment to serve others. This path not only invites us to look beyond our specific contexts and engage with various spiritual narratives and practices, it also encourages us to extend our reach to those who may be unconnected to any faith community or have limited knowledge of the divine. By actively seeking to share with and welcome these individuals into our spiritual journey, we expand the inclusivity of our outreach.
This approach allows us to embrace a broad spectrum of experiences and perspectives, recognizing and honoring the diverse ways in which communities express and explore faith. In doing so, we foster a collective commitment to spiritual growth and community building, enriched by the varied tapestry of human understanding and experience with the divine.
In a gesture toward universal connection and sharing of faith, I posit 12 Steps on our evangelism path. This number holds a sacred place across many traditions, echoing a theme of wholeness and order, connecting us to a broader spiritual dialogue that embodies principles of guidance and enlightenment.
- Prayerful Preparation: The importance of prayer in our call to evangelize is crucial and cannot be emphasized enough. Before you take any steps toward evangelism, commit yourself to prayer. Seek guidance and remain open to the Divine Spirit’s lead. Allow yourself ample time in this phase for thorough spiritual preparation and readiness.
- Deepen Your Familiarity with Sacred Texts: Deepen your understanding of your faith’s sacred writings, whether the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, or other holy scriptures. Explore the teachings and narratives within these texts, and engage with religious writers and scholars to reinforce your knowledge and conviction.
- Spiritual Preparedness: Stay engaged in your own spiritual growth. This ensures you’re spiritually nourished and prepared when the opportunities to share your faith arise.
- Reflective Observation: Reflect on feedback and dynamics within your church and social circles. Use these insights to discern the most effective approach to evangelism in your context.
- Prayer and Reflection for Others: Regularly include in your prayers those you hope to reach through evangelism. Reflect on their needs, challenges, and your role in their spiritual journey. This practice can provide spiritual insight and empathy, enhancing your approach to evangelism.
- Focus on Relationships and Meeting New People: Make efforts to meet new people and continue building and maintaining genuine relationships with your friends, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Expanding your social circle can lead to more diverse conversations. Authentic connections with new acquaintances and long-standing friends often create a more receptive environment for deeper, meaningful conversations about faith and life.
- Live by Example: Demonstrating the values of your faith—such as evidence of transformation/rebirth, forgiveness, love, kindness, and compassion—in your daily life — these are powerful witnesses.
- Seek Common Ground: Find topics or activities you and your friends enjoy and are comfortable discussing. This will open doors to deeper discussions in a natural and non-threatening way.
- Be Respectful and Sensitive: Always respect others’ beliefs and boundaries. Avoid forcing religious conversations if they are clearly unwelcome or may strain the relationship.
- Engage in Community Activities: Participate in community events or volunteer work that aligns with your faith’s values. This is an avenue to meet new people and gently share your beliefs through community service.
- Small Group Evangelism: Use the small group evangelism approach, where discussions about faith happen within a supportive and interested group.
- Embrace the Invitation: Acknowledge that discussions about evangelism can push you out of your comfort zone. Resist the urge to settle into familiar patterns and give yourself, others, and the church the opportunity to explore new pathways in evangelism and discipleship.
Evangelism is often most effective when it’s a natural outgrowth of genuine relationships and personal integrity in living out one’s faith. It’s also important to remember that not everyone will be receptive, and that’s okay. The key is to be respectful and patient and to find the right balance that works for you