Over the next few weeks we are going to be doing something that we’ve not had the opportunity to do for the past couple of years, inviting people to come along to a Christmas Carol service. It’s one of the few times of year when it’s reasonably easy to invite people along to a traditional… Continue reading Preparing the Christmas Carol Service Sermon
Category: evangelism and mission
Christmas, hospitality and Muslims
A few years ago, a friend of ours invited us for an evening meal with their family. It was no ordinary dinner party, the clue was that we were going to be eating far later in the evening than I would normally. We were being invited to an Ifkar which is the meal Muslims eat… Continue reading Christmas, hospitality and Muslims
Using social media as a shop window into your church
Churches put a lot of effort into the appearance of their buildings, particularly taking time to create inviting entrance foyers that enable people to see in and feel able to come in. We know the effect of a church building with closed, heavy, austere doors. We know the impact of walking into a building which… Continue reading Using social media as a shop window into your church
Is anyone thirsty? (John 4:1-25)
Were you there in the petrol queues panic buying fuel the other week? I wonder how you would have reacted if someone promised you access to a secret stash of petrol or diesel? What if they could guarantee that once you filled up, the fuel wouldn’t run out. It’s a relief that the crisis has… Continue reading Is anyone thirsty? (John 4:1-25)
Relatability can be helpful too
In the news this week, a church in Bournemouth that has officially changed its name from St Michaels to St Mikes and put in a coffee bar in the hope of attracting younger people in. There have been a few reactions to this, notably Giles Fraser here and Rod Liddle here. Steve Kneale rightly observes… Continue reading Relatability can be helpful too
Evangelism and the local church (3) Events
In this third article I wanted to say something about running special events as a church. How does this fit with an approach where we make evangelism about our day to day lives in a local community? I don’t think it is a good thing if the sum total of a church’s evangelism is running… Continue reading Evangelism and the local church (3) Events
Evangelism and the local church (2) cold contact
In part one, I said that my approach to evangelism is: “We live in an area and get to know people and we go and knock on some doors.” You will also have picked up through the article that I envisage this happening in the context of being part of the local church. Now, whilst… Continue reading Evangelism and the local church (2) cold contact
Evangelism and the local church (1) Keep it simple
I’m sometimes asked about my approach to evangelism. I’ve particularly been asked this question a lot recently as we’ve been in conversations with churches about future ministry and I remember it coming up when I was interviewed at Bearwood. My answer to the question is: “We live in an area and get to know people… Continue reading Evangelism and the local church (1) Keep it simple
… but what if we haven’t had any new people join us?
When I asked my followers on twitter whether or not they were seeing new to church people at their in person meetings, 13.1% said that they hadn’t seen any new people at all. I can’t really ignore that part of the poll, so wanted to share some thoughts here. That’s not least because if you… Continue reading … but what if we haven’t had any new people join us?
What about post COVID newcomers?
One of the major concerns for Church leaders recently has been what we do about those people who don’t seem to be returning to in person church? Within that number are those who are still very anxious about coming to church services but still very much believe in the L ord. Some will be able… Continue reading What about post COVID newcomers?
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