And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
—Matthew 28:18–20
At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that Jesus sent his followers into the world to make disciples, to baptise and to teach. As his disciples, we continue the mission to share the gift of the Good News, which announces the love, grace and mercy of God in Christ.
The Life and Mission Agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada understands disciples to be followers of Jesus in words and deeds. Referencing the World Council of Churches document, Together towards Life , evangelism is considered to be the responsibility of “all Christians, churches and congregations,” as we are all “called to be vibrant messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the good news of salvation” and that “evangelism is sharing one’s faith and conviction with other people, inviting them to discipleship whether or not they adhere to other religious traditions. Such sharing is to take place with both confidence and humility, and as an expression of our professed love for our world.”
Links
- Resources for Growing a Hospitable Church
- Equipping for… Articles
- Articles, Program Ideas and Worship Resources from Evangelism Connections
- Wycliffe’s Institute of Evangelism “Good Idea”
- InterVarsity’s 5 Thresholds
Resources
Can I Get a Witness?
The Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart shares a reflection about inviting others to come and see the joy that is found in a life of faith.
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Peacemaking in Times of Chaos
The realities of our collective issues, such as social conflict, political violence and environmental destruction, combined with personal struggles leads many people to believe that chaos rules life. This resource offers ideas and tools for exploring how to be peacemakers in times of chaos.
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Sharing Your Faith: A Congregational Workshop Guide
In October 2017, five congregational leaders from across the country gathered to learn more about evangelism and begin crafting the first stages of projects to take back to their congregations. This meeting was the first step towards developing a network that will support a culture of evangelism in the PCC. This resource brings together key learnings from this training and provides practical exercises in the form of a workshop that can be used as a springboard for your own congregation’s evangelism initiatives.
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Helpful documents prepared by the World Council of Churches
- Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes
This document is the new 112-point WCC affirmation on mission and evangelism. A 30-page Practical Study Guide for individual, small group and congregational study is included along with this affirmation in a WCC paperback (with the same title) if you buy the resource from a local bookstore or online bookseller. The approximate cost is $25.00. The Practical Study Guide includes four sessions complete with Bible studies, prayers and ideas for reflection and action. - PCC Study Guide for “Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes”
- The Church: Towards a Common Vision
- PCC Study Guide for “The Church: Towards a Common Vision”
- Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World
For more information and assistance with evangelism, contact Congregational and Community Ministries at 1-800-619-7301 ext. 298.