Cultivating a Congregational Culture of Evangelism

Dwight Zscheile

Congregational Culture

Congregational culture must embrace and support evangelism or it will be marginal

Culture is most difficult thing to change

Takes time, patience, practice (experiences/changed behaviors)

Leadership commitment is necessary Role of preaching/teaching/modeling

Spiritual Renewal

No congregation will be vital in evangelism if not spiritually vital

Invitation to renewal and revival (personal and communal)

We can’t tell faith stories to others without knowing our own

Reorienting Church Life around Discipleship

Refocusing on helping ordinary Christians know, claim, live into Gospel

Engaging stories of faith

Dwelling in Word or other participatory biblical engagement

Learning stories of tradition

Posture of Learning

Risking exposing what isn’t known

Permission to risk and fail (theologically legitimized!)

Small experiments

Action learning

Telling stories publicly of trying

Safe Spaces

Addressing fear of shame

Storytelling and spiritual expression

Environment of openness and support, not judgment

Catechesis and Initiation

Case Study: Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle

Testimonials

Putting our experience into words

Mentoring/coaching/support Clear prompts/questions to

answer Defined boundaries of time,

place, etc. Part of regular rhythm church

life

Small Groups

Luther: “mutual conversation and consolation of brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Space to go deeper together

Lower barriers to access for unchurched

Evangelistically-focused: Empty chair Open invitations Keeping neighbors in prayer

Culture Change

Behaving our way into new ways of being, thinking

Fostering peer learning

Building critical mass

Taking long view

Celebrating small wins

Discussion