10 propositions about Evangelism and Church

A common mid-twentieth century Sunday pattern for many churches was a Worship Service in the morning and a Gospel Service at night. Towards the end of the century, following Bill Hybels of Willow Creek, this pattern was modified to hold a Seeker Service in the morning when non-Christians were more likely to attend and a mid-week ministry to Christians.

Leaving aside the vexed question of the relationship of church and worship, what is the relationship of church and evangelism? Is church aimed at non-Christians or Christians or both? Do we hold church to evangelize? Should we adapt church to be welcoming and accessible to non-Christians? Should we adapt church to the non-Christian culture around us? Are ‘church growth’ and ‘church planting’ evangelistic strategies?

Part of the general question of the relationship of church and evangelism are issues such as whether we should have churches targeting a particular demographic group and so becoming homogenous. Should there be ‘ethnic’ churches? Is the minister the pastor of the congregation or the evangelist of the parish? Do we run Sunday school for the children of the congregation or the children of the community? Does belonging precede believing? Does membership of the faith community matter more than personal understanding? Does the church give us the word of God or does the word of God give us the church?

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