The Evangelizing Church

The Evangelizing Church moves from theory to practice as it relates the theology of evangelism to the life of congregations that are seeking to proclaim the gospel in the emerging postmodern context. It provides congregations with perspectives on how to utilize this theology in shaping the practice of evangelism within their church life.

Christians often struggle to know where to start when it comes to telling others about God, Jesus, sin, and salvation. In this short book, J. Mack Stiles challenges us to view evangelism as something we do together instead of something we do alone, helping churches cultivate a culture of evangelism that goes beyond simply creating new programs or adopting the latest method. The seventh volume in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series, this book will help Christians joyfully embrace evangelism as a way of life as it equips them to share their faith with those who don't yet know Jesus. Part of the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series.

Christians and communities of faith today are rediscovering evangelism as an essential aspect of the church's mission. Many of the resulting books in the marketplace, however, have a hands-on orientation, often lacking serious theological engagement and reflection. Bucking that how-to trend,The Study of Evangelism offers thirty groundbreaking essays that plumb the depths of the biblical and theological heritage of the church with reference to evangelistic practice. Helpfully organized into six categories, these broad, diverse writings lay a solid scholarly foundation for meaningful dialogue about the church's practice of evangelism.

The dare need of the hour in this critical era of the church age is soul winning which is the sole aim of evangelism and it conforms unequivocally with God’s heartbeat as author espouses. Evangelism is personal witnessing, advocacy or public preaching and zealous spreading of the Gospel for the purpose of winning souls (Mark 16:15-20). Furthermore, evangelism is just a subset of evangelization. Therefore, taking it a step further, the author avers that evangelization is the ripple process of making converts, initiating them into the body of Christ and transforming them into committed disciples of Jesus. It connotes continuous discipleship or disciple-making where saved persons are taught and incorporated into the life of the church or Christian community in order to reproduce more saints (Matthew 28:19-20). He also explains that a nexus exists between Evangelization and Christian Development in which the latter has its root in the former and integrally stems from it. The ultimate essence and gamut of evangelization is the continuous healthy growth of its human organ which is the church. The intent is to prevent spiritual decay and preserve the moral rectitude of the militant church up until her transition into the glorious triumphant church. The book will make a good read for church workers, leaders, missionaries, seminarians and young converts.

A comprehensive guide to practical evangelism: its biblical basis, theological backbone, and current practice Michael Green draws from a lifetime’s experience in this seminal work on the theory and practice of evangelism. Green shows how the good news of Christ is communicated most effectively through the local church. This comprehensive resource includes a primer on Christian apologetics and concrete suggestions for congregations and individuals sharing the gospel. Green challenges the hang-ups which so often accompany the very mention of evangelism. His classic work will continue to inspire new generations of evangelists.

Now in its third edition and featuring a new foreword by New York Times best-selling author David Platt, pastor Mark Dever’s classic book is not an instruction manual for church growth. Rather, it is a wise pastor’s recommendation for how to assess the health of a church using nine crucial qualities often neglected by many of today’s congregations. Church leaders and church members alike will resonate with the principles outlined here, breathing new life and health into the church at large. In this newly revised edition, fresh arguments have been added (for example on expositional preaching, about the nature of the gospel, on complementarianism), illustrations have been updated, appendices have been changed, and cover has been improved.

Could it be that mistaken beliefs about evangelism lead to a decrease in getting it done? Ten Modern Evangelism Myths recounts the most popular misconceptions about evangelism followed by an easy-to-read response. Every Christian who wants to share their faith will find encouragement here to be bolder and more direct in their approach—while still showing love to those in their predicament of unbelief. You’ll be more effective because you will be clearer about Christianity and more clearly yourself when talking about it. Finally, here is relief from the confusion generated by gimmicks-based and “me-centered” approaches to evangelism. Table of Contents: Foreword - Rob Ventura Myth 1: Theology Doesn’t Matter When Evangelizing Myth 2: The Gospel Isn’t Enough When Evangelizing Myth 3: Evangelism Is Unsuccessful If No One Is Converted Myth 4: The Lost Should Never Be Offended by Our Evangelism Myth 5: There’s Only One Right Way to Evangelize Myth 6: Evangelism and Apologetics Are Different Myth 7: Reformed Christians Don’t Evangelize Myth 8: Hell Should Be Left Out of Evangelism Myth 9: Only Church Leaders and Professionals Should Evangelize Myth 10: The Church Is Unimportant for Evangelism

Written by a highly respected cardinal and a former head of the Vatican office for worship and sacraments, this book shows how the local Catholic parish in any town has tremendous potential to evangelize its surrounding community. Francis Cardinal Arinze reveals the important roles of both priests and laity in spreading the Gospel within the parish and beyond. This work can help priests to realize the many great possibilities they have to be strong spiritual leaders and to inspire their parishioners to become committed and effective evangelists. It can awaken all the members of a parish to live and to share more zealously the saving power of Jesus Christ.