Wilson L. Deaton
1st April 2006, 09:44 PM (21:44)
Clegg and Bird's, Lost in America, is subtitled, How You and Your Church Can Impact the World Next Door.
Short review: Everyone who cares about evangelism should read this book.
Long review:
Clegg and Bird begin by discussing the state of our world (written in America for Americans). They describe all the shifts in culture that have taken place as we have moved into the post-modern era. After demonstrating the vast cultural differences between the unchurched world and the churched world of today they suggest a solution. Namely that we American Christians must think and act like missionaries if we are to win those around us.
They give three primary suggestions as to what that means (and these are chapter titles):
1) Pray as you've never prayed before
2) Love as you've never loved before
3) Go where no one has gone before--Next door
To summarize those three chapters, the process is rather simple. Make sure the Holy Spirit is working with you. Develop relationships in which the best evangelism can take place. Start with people you already have contact, or should have contact, with.
Another theme of the book is that evangelism isn't just conversion but must include making disciples that make disciples.
The book's format is quite interesting. It includes many sidebars of additional information and examples. It even has a recurring sidebar titled, "Rent This Movie" where they select a movie and show how to use it as a discussion starter or illustration. Each chapter ends with a "Connections" section where you apply what you've been learning to your local situation and finally a "Discussion Question," section. It also includes some useful appendices including a survey titled, "How to Rate Your Congregation's Priority in Spreading the Good News." The survey can be an eye opener.
Wilson
Short review: Everyone who cares about evangelism should read this book.
Long review:
Clegg and Bird begin by discussing the state of our world (written in America for Americans). They describe all the shifts in culture that have taken place as we have moved into the post-modern era. After demonstrating the vast cultural differences between the unchurched world and the churched world of today they suggest a solution. Namely that we American Christians must think and act like missionaries if we are to win those around us.
They give three primary suggestions as to what that means (and these are chapter titles):
1) Pray as you've never prayed before
2) Love as you've never loved before
3) Go where no one has gone before--Next door
To summarize those three chapters, the process is rather simple. Make sure the Holy Spirit is working with you. Develop relationships in which the best evangelism can take place. Start with people you already have contact, or should have contact, with.
Another theme of the book is that evangelism isn't just conversion but must include making disciples that make disciples.
The book's format is quite interesting. It includes many sidebars of additional information and examples. It even has a recurring sidebar titled, "Rent This Movie" where they select a movie and show how to use it as a discussion starter or illustration. Each chapter ends with a "Connections" section where you apply what you've been learning to your local situation and finally a "Discussion Question," section. It also includes some useful appendices including a survey titled, "How to Rate Your Congregation's Priority in Spreading the Good News." The survey can be an eye opener.
Wilson