Lancashire Methodist District

Evangelism and Growth

February 2021

News and Resources from the Evangelism and Growth Team


This monthly newsletter is sent to all District Chairs to support them and their networks in the commitment to be a growing, evangelistic, inclusive and justice-seeking Church. Please share this content widely and let us have your feedback to help us better serve you and those with whom you minister.

News from the team



Recently, I asked a group of sixty Methodist leaders what the biggest barrier to evangelism is for them. By far the most common answers were ‘fear’ and ‘lack of confidence’. I am sure many of our Biblical heroes were apprehensive in following God’s call. To participate in God’s kingdom-building work we are often asked to step out of our comfort zones – it’s frequently the way with evangelism. But God does not send us out ill-equipped or alone. In the same session, I asked the participants to name their gifts for evangelism and the pictured word cloud is the outcome.


We are a Church gifted in these ways and so many more for evangelism. And the good news is that, gifted by God as we are, even when we follow the call to evangelism we do not rely on our own or current capability, we rely on God - at work in us and through us, transforming us and others.


I hope this is an encouragement for you - as journeying alongside folks as they seek to grow in evangelistic confidence is a huge encouragement for me. It would be wonderful if you would share the opportunities below with your networks, which seek to equip our Church in evangelism.


Holly Adams

Evangelism and Contemporary Culture Officer

Get to know more about our team here.

What's on this month

Evangelism for Leaders Course

The session mentioned above is part of the Evangelism for Leaders Course. This five-session online course aims to equip leaders in their contexts to: confidently model what it means to follow our shared calling to evangelism; to intentionally prioritise and promote evangelism and to cultivate a culture of confident, authentic faith sharing which raises up those spiritually gifted as Evangelists. Sign up here.


Green-Evangelism Webinar 25th March 7.30pm

We know as Christians we're called to care for creation, but what if our mission and evangelism is more connected to climate justice than we think? Can we do one without the other? In what way does our commitment to God's earth enable and empower our mission? What can we learn from our climate justice work about evangelism, and vice versa? Join Elaine Heath, theologian and author in the United Methodist Church, Jack Wakefield, a Campaigner at Tearfund, and Phoebe Parkin, Methodist Youth President, in this challenging, inspiring and powerful event. Sign up here.


Digital Evangelism – resources

In times when face-to-face communication is so limited, there are more opportunities for digital mission and evangelism than ever. There are some PDF resources available on this subject here.


10 Ways to Practise Evangelism - and 40 ideas to put them into action

If you're looking for a resource to kick-start evangelism locally, either for individuals or for church communities, this resource might help as a jumping off point.


Current E and G Webinars and Archive

Every month we host a number of webinars that dive into missional reflection and practice. Click here to see our upcoming offerings as well as a teeming archive on subjects from pioneering to antiracism to Methodist Way of Life and more.

Your stories

Each month we share a story from one of the Districts. This month watch the Revd Mark Slaney, Chair of the Scotland District and the Shetland District:

Prayer

We have committed to a Year of Prayer and offer weekly prayer meetings every Tuesday lunchtime on Zoom.


Over 600 people have signed up from across the Connexion so far. We would be delighted to see more join us. Details of how to sign up are here.

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