SUMMARY: Life-Style Evangelism

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Book Summary: Life-Style Evangelism
by Jim Dernocoeur

Life-Style Evangelism: Crossing Traditional Boundaries To Reach The Unbelieving World
By Joseph C. Aldrich (Multnomah Press, 1981)

Executive Summary
One of the most effective means of evangelism for individual Christians is relational evangelism. This form of witness requires that Christians be friends with and get to know unsaved people through authentic relationships. This takes time. It also puts the Christian on view. Non-believers will see how real a Christian's faith is as he lives his every day life with all the highs and lows that life brings. The impact of the gospel, and the opportunity to share the good news can be made a whole lot easier when Christians live what they believe. Being good news helps us to share the good news. A good news-Christian is the outcome of a vibrant church community, which is made possible by caring, Christ-centered leaders.

What I Learned From this Book
I have not been a great fan of confrontational evangelism. The witness model I have seen used has typically been the confrontational model, that is, witnessing to strangers. This most often puts unbelievers on the defensive and their main concern is how to get away from the in-your-face Christian. This book presented an alternative—relational evangelism. On the surface, relational evangelism seems easier than the confrontational model. But it is much more demanding. The confrontational evangelist can approach a stranger, give his witness (which may be unwanted), and walk away, and feel good about himself. Whereas, relational evangelism requires a Christian to develop true friendships that will require our time, our love, and our concern, Relational evangelism puts the Christian under the spotlight too—does he live the message he wants to proclaim? The recurring idea in this book that captured my attention is - we must be good news before we can share the good news.

Introduction
The Enterprise Called Evangelism
Jesus is depending on his disciples to evangelize the world. We must do as well as His early disciples who devoted themselves to reaching their world.

Sometimes we are ineffective because we find it difficult to relate to people where large population densities foster alienation and indifference. And we are ineffective when our fast, complicated lifestyles hinder our ability to see, listen and care for the spiritually lost and hurting people around us.

Some Christians have been turned off to evangelism because of the bad examples they have seen, such as the use of "gimmicks, pseudo-questionnaires, button-holing, evangelical mugging, and outright rudeness."

There can be no gospel impact without contact, however. Christians must develop relationships with non-Christians. The unsaved are not enemies; rather they are "victims of the Enemy." We must remember that Jesus was a friend of sinners. The author wrote this book "with the intention of nudging the church toward its divine birthright." He says Christians must be good news before they can share good news, and our non-Christian neighbors and friends must experience the indwelling Christ lived out daily in the relationships of our lives. The message is heard when love is seen.

Anecdote
An amusing anecdote in which the archangel Gabriel questions Jesus about using humans to evangelize can be found on page 15.

Part 1 Evangelism As It Should Be

Chapter 1 Embarking On A Pilgrimage To Beauty
Christians would be more effective in their evangelism if they became good news before they shared the good news. It is God's desire that we do become good news. His plan for evangelism involves a beautiful bride, and a bride symbolizes all that is right and beautiful.

The bride is made beautiful by the selfless love of Jesus Christ who gave himself for her. And her beauty is experienced through qualities such as integrity, justice, righteousness, wholesomeness. A bride such as this has credibility, which is vital for effective evangelism.

The author states that God is in the business of transforming ugliness into something of beauty -- a redeemed people living, acting and relating in concert with His divine will. God does this through the indwelling of Jesus Christ. This makes us partakers of God's nature, and His nature should be clearly evident in us.

Two millennia ago, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to make visible the invisible God. Today, God sends us to share the good news of salvation.

The power of a redeemed, changed life -- a thing of beauty -- is a life God uses to win unbelievers to Himself.


Chapter 2 Avoiding Evil Instead Of Its Appearance
Christian cultural values will be the chief obstacle facing a believer who wants to evangelize. The values in question are those not supported by Scripture, such as forbidding dancing or card playing, the use of cosmetics, banning all use of alcohol, having non-believing friends. While these values can by useful and effective, they may also be counter-productive when such values impede evangelism.

The religious community of Jesus day branded Him a friend of prostitutes and tax collectors, a glutton and a drunk, because he broke their cultural values. While He was often in the company of sinners He avoided evil of any kind, however. The opportunity to redeem a sinner was more important to Jesus, and he didn't shrink from the appearance of evil even as religious people condemned him.

Christians will also face this same tension within the Christian community. While great care must be taken so as not to offend those who follow the values of cultural Christianity, where the gospel and the unredeemed are concerned Christians should not be afraid to contradict man-made religious boundaries.


Chapter 3 Eating Meat And Evangelizing
A Christian able to live within his former culture without allowing it to remold him will carry out effective evangelism. God expects Christians to communicate with the world and not be contaminated by it. We are citizens of heaven and, therefore, spiritually distinct. Yet, we also citizens of this world and should not segregate ourselves from it if we want to reach our non-believing neighbor.

The Willowbank Report states: "It is only by active, loving engagement with local people, thinking in their thought patterns, understanding their world view, listening to their questions, and feeling their burdens that the whole believing community will be able to respond to their needs."

The apostle Paul was willing to become like a Jew or a nonbeliever in order to preach the gospel and effectively evangelize them. We too must become like our neighbor -- relating to their interests, concerns, opinions and circumstances -- if we want to provide an effective witness that will give us the opportunity to tell them about the gospel.

Chapter 4 Practicing The Presence In Evangelism
For the individual Christian, relational (presence) evangelism works best. Relational evangelism requires us to involve ourselves socially in neighborhood events. Through these events relationships will be developed, and out of these relationships some will come to Christ.

Christians must make Christ relevant. People won't care about what we have to say until they know how much we care. When neighbors experience our love and concern they will be more willing to listen to what we have to say, and are more likely to respond. Our presence validates the good news we proclaim. Love makes sure the message will be heard.

Effective evangelism begins with genuine relationships. Our challenge is to discover the needs of our neighbors and how we can meet those needs through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

"Even God cannot talk to a starving man except in terms of bread," Mahatma Gandhi said. A starving man first needs bread, and this will hopefully lead him to the Bread of Life.

Part 2 Evangelism And The Local Church

Chapter 5 Evangelism And The Church Member
The evangelistic impact of a local church in a neighborhood depends on the image it presents to non-believers.

A healthy church is a transforming community. In such a fellowship believers will be devoted students of the Bible's teachings, worship as a community, fellowship in small groups where genuine relationships can be built, and serve one another with their giftedness.

A healthy church creates believers who have a loving concern for others. Its members should be becoming increasingly Christ-like, and exhibit God's character as they live out details of their everyday lives.

Caring Christians are the ones the church should deploy into the world. The world listens when Christians show love.

The credibility of the gospel, and the effectiveness of relational evangelistic efforts, depends on caring, loving believers willing to serve. Such believers depend upon a church providing them with a Christ-centered environment where they will be nourished and supported.

Chapter 6 Evangelism And The Church Body
A church that can deploy healthy believers into neighborhoods for relational evangelism will have certain qualities.

Such a church will be a learning center that reaches the hearts and minds of its congregation, challenging them to respond to God and to obey Him. It will be a healing community where believers in fellowship find counsel, experience the love and concern of others, where needs are shared and met, and where spiritual gifts are exercised.

This church will be a place of celebration and worship. Where the heavenly Father is joyfully praised such worship will in due time motivate worshippers to bear witness of Him whom they seek.

Chapter 7 Evangelism And The Church Leadership
Spiritually healthy believers and a wholesome church environment are the result of a caring and devoted leadership team. Good church leaders understand they are in the people business, not the church business.

The values of the leaders determine the health of the church, which determines the health of those deployed into the world. Effective leaders will be responsible for the community of believers by caring for them, and by helping them grow in faith.

They should have clearly demonstrated that they themselves are mature in the faith, with a good understanding of Scripture, and able to communicate Bible teachings effectively.

Leaders must love each other, exist together in unity, and set the pace in Christian grace. Authenticity is the key. It is important that the messenger be good news before he shares the good news.


Chapter 8 Evangelism And The Pastor
The kind of pastor that makes an effective leadership team possible will possess certain qualities. Just like other believers, the pastor grows in his understanding to become more Christ-like. He is a man of faith and, regardless of his circumstances, lives his life in light of what God has promised. He is devoted to the love and worship of God, and cultivates a relationship with Him. He loves God's people, and is willing to sacrifice himself for them.

This pastor will have given up any hope of being fulfilled in this world. His eyes will be on his Savior and the hope that awaits him in heaven. For such a pastor, eternity with God is everything.

A pastor of this sort will encourage his flock to look outward to where the fields are white for harvest. He will be urging his flock to befriend the unsaved so that the message of reconciliation with God can be shared.

Jesus came to serve, and He serves today through the giftedness of local churches. The pastor is the key to liberating the church to be a healing communion.

Although it has little to do with the subject matter, the author includes a humorous want ad for a pastor that church leaders may find amusing, if not a little true. It can be found on page 158.

Chapter 9 Your Home And Evangelism Bible Studies
A low pressure and long range approach is the best strategy for Christians who want to make their home a center for relational evangelism.

A host must be friendly, and create an atmosphere in which nonbelievers feel at home. The group dynamic must be one in which people feel loved, accepted, and free to discuss Christianity without fear of judgement.

It's the host's mission to make nonbelievers feel special. He must accept people as they are, learn their names, be able to draw people into conversation, and be sensitive to their needs. The only other Christians present should be those who have brought a friend along.

Besides group study in the home, the host should plan outings, dinners and other activities that his non-believing friends might enjoy.

Daily prayers for the individuals are important. The host should believe that some in his group will find Christ and make the decision to accept Him as Lord.

Chapter 10 Your Non-Believing Neighbor
The effective evangelist believes the Holy Spirit will lead him to meet those people most likely to respond to the gospel. Remember that a relationship takes time and rushing a neighbor to make a decision about Christ may at best delay that decision and at worst create bad feelings, which may prove difficult to undo.

The relationship is important. Get to know your neighbors. Discover their interests, listen to their concerns, sympathize with their disappointments and rejoice over their achievements.

Invite neighbors to your home, and do things together. Take advantage of holiday seasons. Be available when they are hurting—a helping hand and a sympathetic ear give the good news validity and impact. When you feel the time is right, discuss their religious background. Listen carefully and patiently. When the opportunity presents itself, share the gospel.

In everything you do, the goal is to be a servant to your neighbor.

Chapter 11 Your Personal Message Of Evangelism
Christ's ambassadors have the privilege of sharing the best news in the world.

When you feel a friend is open to the gospel, ask the friend about their religious background. Listen carefully to the response, and then decide whether to share the truth about Christ.

If you believe the time is right, tell the friend that you would like to share what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ. Ask if you may do so. Have the friend respond.

If you are invited to share the good news, give a logical, biblical presentation. Now comes the commitment. Ask if what you said makes sense. Ask if they've ever committed their life to Christ. Ask if there is a reason they would not want to trust Christ right now. If your friend accepts the invitation, rejoice.



Book Summary: Life-Style Evangelism
by Jim Dernocoeur

Life-Style Evangelism: Crossing Traditional Boundaries To Reach The Unbelieving World
By Joseph C. Aldrich (Multnomah Press, 1981)

Executive Summary
One of the most effective means of evangelism for individual Christians is relational evangelism. This form of witness requires that Christians be friends with and get to know unsaved people through authentic relationships. This takes time. It also puts the Christian on view. Non-believers will see how real a Christian's faith is as he lives his every day life with all the highs and lows that life brings. The impact of the gospel, and the opportunity to share the good news can be made a whole lot easier when Christians live what they believe. Being good news helps us to share the good news. A good news-Christian is the outcome of a vibrant church community, which is made possible by caring, Christ-centered leaders.

What I Learned From this Book
I have not been a great fan of confrontational evangelism. The witness model I have seen used has typically been the confrontational model, that is, witnessing to strangers. This most often puts unbelievers on the defensive and their main concern is how to get away from the in-your-face Christian. This book presented an alternative—relational evangelism. On the surface, relational evangelism seems easier than the confrontational model. But it is much more demanding. The confrontational evangelist can approach a stranger, give his witness (which may be unwanted), and walk away, and feel good about himself. Whereas, relational evangelism requires a Christian to develop true friendships that will require our time, our love, and our concern, Relational evangelism puts the Christian under the spotlight too—does he live the message he wants to proclaim? The recurring idea in this book that captured my attention is - we must be good news before we can share the good news.

Introduction
The Enterprise Called Evangelism
Jesus is depending on his disciples to evangelize the world. We must do as well as His early disciples who devoted themselves to reaching their world.

Sometimes we are ineffective because we find it difficult to relate to people where large population densities foster alienation and indifference. And we are ineffective when our fast, complicated lifestyles hinder our ability to see, listen and care for the spiritually lost and hurting people around us.

Some Christians have been turned off to evangelism because of the bad examples they have seen, such as the use of "gimmicks, pseudo-questionnaires, button-holing, evangelical mugging, and outright rudeness."

There can be no gospel impact without contact, however. Christians must develop relationships with non-Christians. The unsaved are not enemies; rather they are "victims of the Enemy." We must remember that Jesus was a friend of sinners. The author wrote this book "with the intention of nudging the church toward its divine birthright." He says Christians must be good news before they can share good news, and our non-Christian neighbors and friends must experience the indwelling Christ lived out daily in the relationships of our lives. The message is heard when love is seen.

Anecdote
An amusing anecdote in which the archangel Gabriel questions Jesus about using humans to evangelize can be found on page 15.

Part 1 Evangelism As It Should Be

Chapter 1 Embarking On A Pilgrimage To Beauty
Christians would be more effective in their evangelism if they became good news before they shared the good news. It is God's desire that we do become good news. His plan for evangelism involves a beautiful bride, and a bride symbolizes all that is right and beautiful.

The bride is made beautiful by the selfless love of Jesus Christ who gave himself for her. And her beauty is experienced through qualities such as integrity, justice, righteousness, wholesomeness. A bride such as this has credibility, which is vital for effective evangelism.

The author states that God is in the business of transforming ugliness into something of beauty -- a redeemed people living, acting and relating in concert with His divine will. God does this through the indwelling of Jesus Christ. This makes us partakers of God's nature, and His nature should be clearly evident in us.

Two millennia ago, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to make visible the invisible God. Today, God sends us to share the good news of salvation.

The power of a redeemed, changed life -- a thing of beauty -- is a life God uses to win unbelievers to Himself.


Chapter 2 Avoiding Evil Instead Of Its Appearance
Christian cultural values will be the chief obstacle facing a believer who wants to evangelize. The values in question are those not supported by Scripture, such as forbidding dancing or card playing, the use of cosmetics, banning all use of alcohol, having non-believing friends. While these values can by useful and effective, they may also be counter-productive when such values impede evangelism.

The religious community of Jesus day branded Him a friend of prostitutes and tax collectors, a glutton and a drunk, because he broke their cultural values. While He was often in the company of sinners He avoided evil of any kind, however. The opportunity to redeem a sinner was more important to Jesus, and he didn't shrink from the appearance of evil even as religious people condemned him.

Christians will also face this same tension within the Christian community. While great care must be taken so as not to offend those who follow the values of cultural Christianity, where the gospel and the unredeemed are concerned Christians should not be afraid to contradict man-made religious boundaries.


Chapter 3 Eating Meat And Evangelizing
A Christian able to live within his former culture without allowing it to remold him will carry out effective evangelism. God expects Christians to communicate with the world and not be contaminated by it. We are citizens of heaven and, therefore, spiritually distinct. Yet, we also citizens of this world and should not segregate ourselves from it if we want to reach our non-believing neighbor.

The Willowbank Report states: "It is only by active, loving engagement with local people, thinking in their thought patterns, understanding their world view, listening to their questions, and feeling their burdens that the whole believing community will be able to respond to their needs."

The apostle Paul was willing to become like a Jew or a nonbeliever in order to preach the gospel and effectively evangelize them. We too must become like our neighbor -- relating to their interests, concerns, opinions and circumstances -- if we want to provide an effective witness that will give us the opportunity to tell them about the gospel.

Chapter 4 Practicing The Presence In Evangelism
For the individual Christian, relational (presence) evangelism works best. Relational evangelism requires us to involve ourselves socially in neighborhood events. Through these events relationships will be developed, and out of these relationships some will come to Christ.

Christians must make Christ relevant. People won't care about what we have to say until they know how much we care. When neighbors experience our love and concern they will be more willing to listen to what we have to say, and are more likely to respond. Our presence validates the good news we proclaim. Love makes sure the message will be heard.

Effective evangelism begins with genuine relationships. Our challenge is to discover the needs of our neighbors and how we can meet those needs through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

"Even God cannot talk to a starving man except in terms of bread," Mahatma Gandhi said. A starving man first needs bread, and this will hopefully lead him to the Bread of Life.

Part 2 Evangelism And The Local Church

Chapter 5 Evangelism And The Church Member
The evangelistic impact of a local church in a neighborhood depends on the image it presents to non-believers.

A healthy church is a transforming community. In such a fellowship believers will be devoted students of the Bible's teachings, worship as a community, fellowship in small groups where genuine relationships can be built, and serve one another with their giftedness.

A healthy church creates believers who have a loving concern for others. Its members should be becoming increasingly Christ-like, and exhibit God's character as they live out details of their everyday lives.

Caring Christians are the ones the church should deploy into the world. The world listens when Christians show love.

The credibility of the gospel, and the effectiveness of relational evangelistic efforts, depends on caring, loving believers willing to serve. Such believers depend upon a church providing them with a Christ-centered environment where they will be nourished and supported.

Chapter 6 Evangelism And The Church Body
A church that can deploy healthy believers into neighborhoods for relational evangelism will have certain qualities.

Such a church will be a learning center that reaches the hearts and minds of its congregation, challenging them to respond to God and to obey Him. It will be a healing community where believers in fellowship find counsel, experience the love and concern of others, where needs are shared and met, and where spiritual gifts are exercised.

This church will be a place of celebration and worship. Where the heavenly Father is joyfully praised such worship will in due time motivate worshippers to bear witness of Him whom they seek.

Chapter 7 Evangelism And The Church Leadership
Spiritually healthy believers and a wholesome church environment are the result of a caring and devoted leadership team. Good church leaders understand they are in the people business, not the church business.

The values of the leaders determine the health of the church, which determines the health of those deployed into the world. Effective leaders will be responsible for the community of believers by caring for them, and by helping them grow in faith.

They should have clearly demonstrated that they themselves are mature in the faith, with a good understanding of Scripture, and able to communicate Bible teachings effectively.

Leaders must love each other, exist together in unity, and set the pace in Christian grace. Authenticity is the key. It is important that the messenger be good news before he shares the good news.


Chapter 8 Evangelism And The Pastor
The kind of pastor that makes an effective leadership team possible will possess certain qualities. Just like other believers, the pastor grows in his understanding to become more Christ-like. He is a man of faith and, regardless of his circumstances, lives his life in light of what God has promised. He is devoted to the love and worship of God, and cultivates a relationship with Him. He loves God's people, and is willing to sacrifice himself for them.

This pastor will have given up any hope of being fulfilled in this world. His eyes will be on his Savior and the hope that awaits him in heaven. For such a pastor, eternity with God is everything.

A pastor of this sort will encourage his flock to look outward to where the fields are white for harvest. He will be urging his flock to befriend the unsaved so that the message of reconciliation with God can be shared.

Jesus came to serve, and He serves today through the giftedness of local churches. The pastor is the key to liberating the church to be a healing communion.

Although it has little to do with the subject matter, the author includes a humorous want ad for a pastor that church leaders may find amusing, if not a little true. It can be found on page 158.

Chapter 9 Your Home And Evangelism Bible Studies
A low pressure and long range approach is the best strategy for Christians who want to make their home a center for relational evangelism.

A host must be friendly, and create an atmosphere in which nonbelievers feel at home. The group dynamic must be one in which people feel loved, accepted, and free to discuss Christianity without fear of judgement.

It's the host's mission to make nonbelievers feel special. He must accept people as they are, learn their names, be able to draw people into conversation, and be sensitive to their needs. The only other Christians present should be those who have brought a friend along.

Besides group study in the home, the host should plan outings, dinners and other activities that his non-believing friends might enjoy.

Daily prayers for the individuals are important. The host should believe that some in his group will find Christ and make the decision to accept Him as Lord.

Chapter 10 Your Non-Believing Neighbor
The effective evangelist believes the Holy Spirit will lead him to meet those people most likely to respond to the gospel. Remember that a relationship takes time and rushing a neighbor to make a decision about Christ may at best delay that decision and at worst create bad feelings, which may prove difficult to undo.

The relationship is important. Get to know your neighbors. Discover their interests, listen to their concerns, sympathize with their disappointments and rejoice over their achievements.

Invite neighbors to your home, and do things together. Take advantage of holiday seasons. Be available when they are hurting—a helping hand and a sympathetic ear give the good news validity and impact. When you feel the time is right, discuss their religious background. Listen carefully and patiently. When the opportunity presents itself, share the gospel.

In everything you do, the goal is to be a servant to your neighbor.

Chapter 11 Your Personal Message Of Evangelism
Christ's ambassadors have the privilege of sharing the best news in the world.

When you feel a friend is open to the gospel, ask the friend about their religious background. Listen carefully to the response, and then decide whether to share the truth about Christ.

If you believe the time is right, tell the friend that you would like to share what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ. Ask if you may do so. Have the friend respond.

If you are invited to share the good news, give a logical, biblical presentation. Now comes the commitment. Ask if what you said makes sense. Ask if they've ever committed their life to Christ. Ask if there is a reason they would not want to trust Christ right now. If your friend accepts the invitation, rejoice.