“Over the past ten months, I have learned the most about evangelism at Starbucks, and in a bar in Allston. Evangelism is not about converting people. It is not about proclaiming “sinner be saved” or even about proclaiming from a street corner. Evangelism is about relationships. Evangelism is about sitting in a bar or with a cup of coffee and really listening to people’s lives. Expecting that you will witness some of God’s grace in their passions, concerns and hopes. Sharing yours. And beginning with the relationship.” - Relational Evangelist in Diomass, 2008 When we were asked to launch the Relational Evangelism Pilot, we had to work through all of our images of evangelism that included preachers on street corners wearing placards that read, “Jesus saves” or yelling, “repent!” We had to realize that our training as community organizers was useful for the work of evangelism, that is, for the work of meeting people where they are and inviting them into community. My work as a Relational Evangelist has also required me to ask the question what is church? Is church just what happens at 9:15am and 11:00am on Sunday? Or is church about listening for the mission of God in our lives and the world and partnering with others who share our call. The Relational Evangelism Pilot Project (REPP) was founded in 2008 with the mission of engaging more young adults in “God’s dream for this world,” by growing authentic community, deepening spiritual practice, and making a difference in the world. Interns serve for eleven-months in an Episcopal parish or University Chaplaincy and are trained as faith-based community organizers using the methodology of Public Narrative. Relational Evangelists go beyond the walls of the Church and immerse themselves in the local community. They build relationships by sharing their own stories and listening to others' stories to surface shared passions and purpose. And these relationships are rooted in spiritual practice, community, and a shared commitment to making a difference in the world. Relational Evangelism demands a posture of openness to transformation—both personal and social, individual and collective. “When I meet with people, they are surprised to meet a “Christian,” whose primary concern isn’t condemnation but community. Someone who is willing to talk about sexuality and doubt, fear and insecurity. Someone who is confident but not arrogant, convicted but not alienating. They are surprised to meet a “Christian” who is looking for something that they have not quite found yet, who notices that there is something quite magnificent about being human and about living in this world with all its beauty and suffering. Someone who wants to make a difference in this world. I am finding that what our church needs is a new imagination.” - Relational Evangelist, 2009 Over the past two years, 13 Relational Evangelists (RE) have met one-on-one with 1500 young adults probably consuming 3000 cups of coffee, beer or tea at coffee shops, bars, and diners. These conversations have mostly focused on sharing stories and building connections based on common purpose. Through these conversations, Relational Evangelists have identified many folks who want to lead—young adults who have a yearning to explore something or make a difference. These young adult leaders are interested in fresh expressions of authentic community, such as small groups at pubs and poetry slams in churches. They are looking for ways to deepen their spiritual lives, such as contemplative prayer groups, community forums on sexuality and faith, and creative worship involving monastic chant and meditation. They are looking for a way to make a difference in the world and to do this in the context of community. Some of these expressions might include an economic justice campaign, direct service in a local soup kitchen, or advocating for more responsible practices around environmental emissions. The Relational Evangelism Pilot Project is cultivating communities discerning what might be possible if church wasn’t just about where we worship on Sundays, but about who we are becoming and who we’re becoming together. The Rev. Arrington Chambliss and Jason Long are the co-founders of Life Together, the Diocese of Massachusetts internship program encompassing both The Micah Project and The Relational Evangelism Pilot Project in Boston, MA |
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Evangelism: More Questions than Answers. That’s the Point. Over the past few months, I’ve been having many conversations about faith and spirituality with a Jewish student. We have talked at length about prayer and spiritual struggles; he has attended Episcopal services and heard me preach; we have reflected on the challenges of inclusive liturgy and language. At no point do I imagine that this student will convert and become a Christian, but I’m also convinced that what we are engaging in is evangelism..... >>> |
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Come and See "Come and See" is the most common phrase that both the students and I use to invite people to come to the Canterbury Center at Oklahoma State University. St. Augustine Canterbury Center is located in a store front on the southeast corner of campus. The traditional red door with the Episcopal Shield .... >>> |
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Making the Old, New Again I love the story of Elijah in I Kings 17. God met with Elijah and told him to “go.” He sent him away from what was familiar to a land he had not yet been, to a people he had not yet met, to speak a message of hope they had not yet heard. He had no experience and very few resources. I have to believe Elijah had moments of feeling like a misfit and even questioning whether God had the right guy for the job... >>> |
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The Big "E" Word Most of us are aware that there is a growing concern to “evangelize the Unchurched” for the sake of congregational growth. Lately, when I’ve heard that juxtaposition of terms (evangelize + un-churched), I’ve had to suppress a laugh, mostly because my mind conjures scenarios where my "unchurched" (and deeply spiritual) friends respond to such a proposition..... >>> |
