Evangelism begins to happen when we can all personally speak a real word person-to-person about who we are, and whose we are, and why. It doesn’t require newspaper ads or billboards or incorporating Flash on our websites, though those things can certainly support our storytelling efforts. It is just most fundamentally one Episcopalian talking to one other person, grounded in a commitment to the type of hospitality modeled by Jesus Christ.

Evangelism and Congregational Development will always be dance partners, as both are needed to make disciples of Jesus Christ. However, the primary focus of the Evangelism component is those who are outside the walls of the Church. That is our “target group”. As we develop creative strategies for evangelism, our vision must be cast with an outward focus.

In one-on-one Evangelism, we listen to the other person as well as listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When growing a new faith community, we listen to the voices of those outside the Church with one ear, while listening for God with the other.

“Congregational Vitality” and “Evangelism” are yoked closely together. Healthy congregations “do” evangelism naturally. Healthy congregations consist of members who are healthy Christians. Nurturing the spiritual health of our faith communities is an integral part of Evangelism. 

 It is a challenge to discern the way that God is already moving in someone’s life, and so be able to identify the best way to share the Good News in that situation. Such discernment means we begin Evangelism by listening. Listening to the person with whom we have engaged in a spiritual conversation as well as listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.