Rethinking Faculty Evangelism - Ministry Exchange (MX)

Rethinking Faculty Evangelism: Toward a model appropriate to our context
Christian Anible, IVCF Grad & Faculty Ministries
Presentation & discussion for Cornell Christian Faculty/Staff Forum:
3/16/00

1. An observation/discovery in graduate ministry: the kinds of evangelistic

activities and events we found effective among undergraduates were not effective among graduate students.

2. Evaluation:

a) A different stage of life: less inquisitive, less adventuresome in terms of life commitments, greater recognition of the risks inherent in changing loyalties. b) More focused, driven, time-conscious c) The power of the “god” of their chosen field

Question: How would you characterize the cultural context of faculty in
this university?

3. Rethinking evangelism

a) William Abraham’s model of “initiating people into the Kingdom of God for the first time.” Not merely proclamation nor church growth nor social action, but evangelism “expanded to include the early phases of Christian initiation. The gospel must be handed over in such a way that those who receive it may be able to own it for themselves in a deep way and have some sense of what they are embracing. Proclamation is but one part of the process which will make this possible. It will also require teaching and persuasion, spiritual direction, an introduction to the spiritual disciplines and the sacraments of the gospel, initiation into the basics of the Christian moral and doctrinal tradition, some orientation on the kinds of religious experiences which may accompany entry into the kingdom of God, and the like.” (William J. Abraham, “The Theology of Evangelism: The Heart of the Matter,” unpublished paper.) (William Abraham’s book is entitled, The Logic of Evangelism (1989: Eerdmans) ) . The great majority of adults who are converted do so gradually, over a period of time, with the involvement of a Christian friend, and through involvement with a local body of believers. . Being received into a circle of Christian friends can be very significant for at least two reasons: 1. The experience of being loved and accepted by the body of Christ makes God’s love more tangible; 2. The unbeliever has the opportunity to learn-by doing-what is involved in living under the rule of God (more about this later) b) Living “expositionally” . Having our minds and lives shaped by Redemption History (see handout) . Being ready to explain how our commitments, concerns, actions arise out of that story-”What is it like to live under the rule of God?” – Another way to frame this: “I approach things this way because the God I belong to calls his people to imitate his character; here’s a story of how he demonstrated this character quality .” . Inviting people to “know by obeying;” consider the biblical story of Ruth. – Becky Pippert’s story of the seeking student’s loss of her thesis desk (in James Sire, Discipleship of the Mind, pp. 111- 113).

4. Steps in this direction:

a) Think prayerfully about the people you associate with regularly. Who among them might you be more relationally intentional toward? Ask God to produce in you His love for this colleague, and for the Spirit to draw him/her into the Kingdom of God. b) Begin thinking about your field, your particular work, higher education generally, the shape of contemporary culture – all these things – as elements in Redemption History. Pray for new insight into your place in God’s purposes for the world. c) Look for opportunities to act (choose, speak) in ways that only make sense most coherently in light of the Kingdom of God. Be prepared to give a reason for it that can be understood by the people around you. d) Look for opportunities to invite others to act in ways that only make sense most coherently in light of the Kingdom of God. Note: this is extremely risky!

Conclusion:

I’m persuaded that evangelism cannot be simplified into a
standardized technique any more than living the Christian life can. But I
also think it behooves us to take very seriously the context into which God
has called each of us, and put some concentrated effort into understanding
how we might most effectively initiate these people into the Kingdom of God
for the first time.