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Tom Wright unpacks biblical contextualization in Christian mission
Theologian Tom Wright give some helpful explanations of biblical contextualization in this 10-minute video short.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/11330
Christian failure to communicate effectively with outsiders
Our biggest failure has been to frequently fail to reach unchurched outsiders. Yet this is possible, if only we would do it appropriately. Sheridan Voysey writes:
"A fascinating experiment has been taking place in Australian Christian radio. The result is that between 40-70% of the audience listening to these stations have no connection with church...
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/11135
Build effective church websites that reach the community
Without a website, a church is effectively invisible. With a website, you potentially create a shop window for the community to peer through. What is on display, especially 'near the glass', is very important.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/5876
They know nothing! Assume zero knowledge when writing evangelistic material
“Most Christian literature ... begins too far along the evangelistic process; it assumes that the reader has at least some basic knowledge of Christianity and biblical concepts,” said the director of a very effective literature outreach recently.
If you grew up in a Christian environment with Sunday School or regular Bible classes, you may not realize that many people know little or nothing of the Christian faith. Even in a country such as USA with a very high level of church attendance, there are many millions of people who have never read any part of the Bible or visited a church. In other English-speaking countries including UK, church attendance is usually very low – less than 5% of the population. In most other parts of Western and Eastern Europe, India, and China, the number of Christians as a percentage of population is tiny.
http://internetevangelismday.com/zero.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
Seeking non-seekers: using the bridge strategy in mission field evangelism
For non-seekers, there are three keys to outreach: the bridge strategy is a key to evangelism in Japan: offering web-pages on secular interests and Japanese culture or felt needs, and building incarnational relationships. As a beautiful illustratration of these opportunities, here are three examples in (non-web) ministry that were very fruitful for Patrick McElligott, a missionary in Japan, as recounted in his book On Giants’ Shoulders. He is a fluent Japanese speaker and writer.
For non-seekers, there are three keys to outreach: the bridge strategy is a key to evangelism in Japan: offering web-pages on secular interests and Japanese culture or felt needs, and building incarnational relationships. As a beautiful illustratration of these opportunities, here are three examples in (non-web) ministry that were very fruitful for Patrick McElligott, a missionary in Japan, as recounted in his book On Giants’ Shoulders. He is a fluent Japanese speaker and writer.
http://internetevangelismday.com/bridge-strategy-using.php
Jesus the Communicator - how Jesus met the felt personal needs of individual people
Down the long, dusty road on their way from Jericho to Jerusalem, almost two thousand years ago, trod Jesus with His motley band of twelve disciples, followed by a huge crowd.
Because of their long journey, they were all hot and sweaty. The dust clung to them. They were weary, but Jesus was at the height of His popularity and the great crowd of people pressed close to Him. They were jabbering endlessly. Asking questions. Seeking favours. They could be heard a mile away.
http://internetevangelismday.com/jesus-communicator.php
Alpha Course concept: how it can be adapted for online evangelism and discipleship
In one sense, there is nothing new about the Alpha Course system. Yet it has been incredibly successful. Why?
http://internetevangelismday.com/alpha-course.php
The End of the Maze - #5828
The way that leads out of the maze; the way that leads to God's forgiveness, to personal peace and to heaven is the Man who died for every sin you have ever done and walked out of His grave to prove that He alone can give eternal life.
http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-personal-power/the-end-of-the-maze-5828