Graceful EvanGElism - Baker Publishing Group

Introductionxviicommunities, and the contexts of our evangelism efforts. Beginning with arecognition that our perspectives are shaped by our experiences, we move onto meeting a new situation with open eyes. Can we talk about evangelism despiteour differences? Can we lay aside our convictions about the “only way”to do it? Having ears to hear, both from our sisters and brothers and fromchurches to which we minister at home and abroad, can alert us to new situationsthat demand refashioning our approaches to evangelism. Listening towhat our culture is saying and to how others frame the issues of life’s meaningalso requires openness. We may need to recognize our inability to understandthe viewpoints of others. We may need to reevaluate our own views on thebasis of contemporary needs or as a result of the ideas of Christians withwhom we associate. Going around the spiral of knowledge brings us to newunderstandings—then we go around again.As we recognize multiple biblical models of evangelism in changing andvaried contemporary contexts, our practices of evangelism need clarification.We need to devise an approach to living that fosters graceful evangelism. Chapter15 suggests that a metaphor of gift giving and receiving may be aproposfor doing evangelism in today’s contexts. This chapter outlines seven “radicalhabits” for evangelism that show how the giving and receiving of gifts can belived out in Christ’s way. They can be used in multiple settings, with differentevangelistic approaches. Recognizing the universality of the gospel message,putting hospitality first, honoring the free choices of others, respecting oneselfand others, communicating the gospel in a myriad of ways, learning to love,and practicing ecumenism in evangelism are practices that can lead us intograceful evangelism. Taken together these seven practices reflect attitudes andactions that are consistent with the biblical message of Jesus as the Way, thetruth, and the life.As we explore the past, recognize the complexities of contemporary contexts,discover the goodness in theologies not our own, and form radical habitsof acceptance and love toward others, not only the world but the church canhear the good news of the gospel. We can develop an evangelism that holdsdeep convictions while respecting the convictions of others, an evangelismthat is both determined and patient, vigorous and tolerant. In short, we canimagine and craft a graceful evangelism.Frances S. Adeney, Graceful Evangelism: Christian Witness in a Complex World,Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2010. Used by permission.