Here’s an idea:
When you reflect on why you go to church, or why you work as a leader in the church, ask yourself the question, “What is it about this work—about this place—that gives me deep gladness?”
Better yet, talk about this with a friend or colleague who comes to church with you, week by week. What is it about this place, these folks, this culture and climate, this Godly Play room, these musicians, this sweet and holy space that just does my heart good?
Then, call to mind some of the people you already see in church, and some of the people you would like to see, people who live nearby, or people you think would feel as glad as you do when you come here. What is going on for these folks, do you suppose? What might they hunger for? What do they need? What yearnings or hopes or dreams might they have?
There. You just did a workshop in evangelism. It isn’t always this simple, but when we begin the conversation about “evangelism”—an inside-the-church word that gives some Episcopalians the jumps—we begin with these basics. And in the end, we find ourselves back here, reflecting together on gladness and hunger, the joy and wonder of our particular, local expression of faith, and the basic human hungers and desires of our beloved neighbors.
If you’d like to join this conversation, get in touch with the unique gifts of your congregation, and find practical ways to proclaim this Good News—to do the joyful work of evangelism—come to our Evangelism Workshop this spring! It’s happening at Dumas Bay on May 15-16. We’re calling it a Diocesan Learning Party, and we are determined to enjoy ourselves in this glad work. We’d love you to bring a few people from your congregation. Join us!
“Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”
–Fredrick Buechner