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Find and use Christian parallel, parable, metaphor meanings in film, music, book or popular culture
Popular culture provides a huge bridge for us to use. How do many people spend much of their leisure time? They watch TV or movies, read books, and listen to music. Even though it may never have been the intention of the writer or director, there are often eternal truths and parallels just waiting for us to point at. Indeed, we should normally expect to find such echoes in the yearnings of writers.
http://internetevangelismday.com/parallel.php
Redemptive analogies - a key to meaningful communication of the Christian gospel
Don Richardson defined the concept of redemptive analogy in his books Peace Child and Eternity in Their Hearts. He explained how, embedded in a culture, there is usually some practice or understanding which can be used to demonstrate the Gospel. Findings these sometimes unexpected keys has been called a gorilla moment.
http://internetevangelismday.com/redemptive-parallel.php
Contextualization - we must contextualize to effectively communicate the Christian Gospel
Contextualization means, quite simply, communicating the gospel in understandable terms appropriate to the audience. All Christian communication should be contextualized. A Sunday School teacher using simple language and child-related illustrations, games, and activities, is contextualizing. A pastor sharing a message in a senior citizens’ home, with appropriate sermon illustrations and an understanding of the unique needs of old people, is using contextualization.
http://internetevangelismday.com/contextualization.php
Using music as a starting point in evangelism
Music is a universal language. There are many opportunities to create evangelistic pages with music as a starting point, using the Bridge Strategy. Sadly, there are very few such pages available. Here are some possible routes
http://internetevangelismday.com/music-evangelism.php
The Parable of Parable - why story communicates the Christian gospel effectively
Once upon a time, Truth went about the streets as naked as the day he was born. As a result, no-one would let him into their homes. Whenever people caught sight of him, they turned away and fled. One day when Truth was sadly wandering about, he came upon Parable. Now, Parable was dressed in splendid clothes of beautiful colors. And Parable, seeing Truth, said, “Tell me, neighbor, what makes you look so sad?”
http://internetevangelismday.com/parable.php
Felt Needs: is ministering to conscious felt needs biblical - a way to open closed minds?
The concept of ministering to people’s ‘felt needs’ is sometimes misunderstood. “Surely we should be speaking to their real spiritual needs?” is a potential criticism and valid question.
http://internetevangelismday.com/felt-needs.php
Creative evangelism ideas - the need for innovative effective ways to reach the unreached
In the our secular western world, creative strategies are increasingly important online as we seek to engage with people who have a postmodern or New Age worldview and fail to engage with anyone else. But this is a diminishing pool. In very few countries in the western world do even 5% of their populations attend church regularly. The very high percentage of church attenders in USA is a unique phenomenon, which may perhaps prevent some Christians in that country from seeing the opportunities for creative evangelism. In the non-western world and the 10-40 Window, where Christianity is a misunderstood minority religion, the need for creative evangelism is equally pressing.
http://internetevangelismday.com/creative.php
Worthy Christian witness - the difference between proselytism and true evangelism with integrity
“Preach the gospel at all times – if necessary, use words.” A comforting thought, uttered by Francis of Assisi 900 years ago. Too comforting.
Despite spending well over half my life with my mission, my natural tendency is to keep quiet and hope my light is shining. But Arthur Glasser (Announcing the Kingdom, Baker 2003, p. 156) reminds us that ̶...evangelization of the world is a matter of both words and activity. It cannot be reduced to mere presence without dismissing all the valid data in the New Testament about imploring people ‘on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God.”
http://internetevangelismday.com/worthy-witness.php
Biblical basis and justification of the Bridge Strategy in effective evangelism and outreach
Why don’t we just “give people the Gospel"? Why make a starting-point at other topics, including those relating to contemporary culture such as films?
The use of the Bridge Strategy is biblical as well as practical: our example is the apostle Paul. Look at how he communicated with his Greek listeners on Mars Hill: Acts 17:16-34.
http://internetevangelismday.com/biblical-strategy.php
Short story: frequently lost or forgotten keys to evangelism
Most of us have a lost key story. In English, we sometimes use the word ‘key’ quite loosely, for instance ‘keys to improving your garden’. The implication is an optional addition to a reasonably successful effort. But with real keys, it is all or nothing. Without a key, you are powerless, stymied, stuck.
http://internetevangelismday.com/lostkey.php