A new blog is now available for churches who seek to turn around from a traditional and inward focus to becoming missional churches seeking to impact their communities for the Kingdom.  It is called THE OUTWARD FOCUSED CHURCH.  The blog has been created by Dr. Steve Dunn of our Landisville Church.  Steve invites persons to subscribe and to comment on the posted articles.  The blog can be accessed at www.theoutwardfocusedchurch.blogspot.com   He also invites people to submit articles for inclusion by sending them to him at sdunnpastor@coglandisville.org.

We are trying to redesign this blog header. This is a test

The Commission is looking for titles you would recommend as the Book of the Year in evangelism and outreach.  Email title information and a brief review to sdunnpastor@coglandisville.org

We continue offering our six core classes in the School of Evangelism. The next one in the cycle if SHARING JESUS WITH THE POSTMODERN MIND.  It is the second in our theology section.  It will be taught by Dr. Steve Dunn.  Topics will include:

The Issues the Church Faces in Penetrating the Culture

What we learn from Evangelism in the Early church

Believing—Behaving—Belonging Reversed

The World in Which We Minister

Speaking to the Postmodern Mind

Preaching to People with No Christian Roots

 

Cost ius $25 per student plus a $5 textbook charge

register early if possible but no later than March 6, 2010 by emailing

sdunnpastor@coglandisville.org

THE CLASS WILL BE OFFERED AT THE FAIRVIEW BETHEL CHURCH OF GOD

ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010 AS PREVIOSULY ADVERTISED.

For the Commission on Evangelism, 2010 is a time of revisioning, refocusing and reorganizing.  In early January we will be posting on our web site a description of our new structure and strategy.  It is a necessary action because after more than 5 years in existence as a Commission, we had to take a step back,, look at our scriptural compass, and try to see what Jesus was doing in the Churches of God that we needed to working with.  Watch for that in January, and for commentary on this blog as we dialogue and teach that this means.

Colossians 1:27 challenges the church to focus on "Christ in you, the hope of glory."  I have always used that as a question of vision and strategy.  How we will communicate to the world the Christ in us.?  Or another way of saying it is, "What is the Jesus in you going to do?" This is a question leaders must first ask for themselves and then for thegroup that they lead.

Would you share with us what you beilieve God is saying to you as an evangelism leader?  Would you share what your church is considering?  Maybe together we can have a stronger grasp on what God is going to do in and through the Church of God, Eastern Regional Conference in 2010.

What is the evangelistic temperature of your church?  Is it high enough to have reconciling lost people to God high on the agendas of various ministries and small groups?  Are you talking about sharing your faith?  Are you new people becoming Christians?  Are you praying for the lost?  Are people asking for equipping and resources so that they can be sharing faith?

Watch tomorrow for some suggestions on raising the church's evangelistic temperature.

Several weeks ago two of our evangelism mentors and one commission member attended a training session at the Parish Resource Center called A HITCH-HIKERS GUIDE TO EVANGELISM.  Bill Tenny-Brittain from 21st Century Strategies, Inc. noted that the number one time a year when a church will see the unchurched as visitors has shifted.  It used to be Easter, but now statistics are showing that the 2-3 weeks before Christmas and Christmas Eve itself has become prime time for pre-evangelism and evangelism efforts.  In our society it is the one "politically correct" time that even secular people feel comfortable going to church.

How does your church approach Christmas, especially Christmas Eve? Is it an in-house, church family celebration or are you making plans to connect with the unchurched who will come through your door?

Share with us some of the plans your church is making.

"Apologetics with Postmoderns" is the topic for the second Apologetics class of the 2009 School of Evangelism.  To acomodate more of the students, the class date has been changed to Saturday, November 7, 2009.  It will meet from 8:30 am-3:30 pm at the Fairview Bethel Church of God. Cost is $25. You can register up until October 31st by contacting Dr. Steve Dunn at sdunnpastor@coglandisville.org. Checks are payable to the ERC.  There are some advance assignments (no specific text) on-line so you would want to register soon to receive the full benefit of the class.  Dr Bill Sloat is the instructor.

The first class of the 2010 School of Evangelism is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2010. The topic is "Evangelism-What Is It and Why Is It Necessary?". This is part 1 of the THEOLOGY SECTION and is taught by Dr Steve Dunn

The 2009 School of Evangelism has now completed five of its six basic classes and one elective, "Youth Evangelism."  Enrollment in the 2009 School has now grown to 20 students from the following churches: Smithville, Doubling Gap, Plainfield, Green Village, Bare Memorial, Shiremanstown, Parkway, Mechanicsburg, Windsor, Mount Olivet and Landisville.

The 2010 School will continue the six basic courses, the new Youth Evangelism elective, and add two new electives - Evangelistic Preaching to Postmoderns and Church Planting as Evangelism.

"If all your messages are simply 'how to have a better life' type of messages, don't expect people to be saved.  Too many messages contain more self-help than gospel."

Craig Groeschel
Pastor, Lifechurch.tv