Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey (Reimagining Evangelism Curriculum Set) - Softcover

Richardson, Rick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830833420 ISBN 13: 9780830833429

Publisher: IVP, 2006

Synopsis

Finalist, Fourth Annual Outreach Resource of the Year (2006)

Sometimes talking about Jesus with your friends can feel like trying to close a deal on a sales call, pushing something on people they may not really want. But what if you thought of it more like inviting them on a spiritual journey? Imagine being free to be yourself and free for the Spirit to work in you. Imagine that it doesn't depend on you alone but that you can be an important part of a witnessing community. Imagine telling people stories instead of trying to download content. Here is your invitation to reimagine what evangelism could be for you.

About this title

Review

"A well-written, easy-to-read, evangelical perspective on sharing your faith. . . . It should prove to be a positive contribution to the expanding corpus of literature on this topic. I'd recommend it to both youth workers and mature students who are in need of a concise, accessible framework for sharing their faith."--Jason Santos, The Journal of Student Ministries, May/June 2007

"Reimagining Evangelism provides a powerful paradigm shift in evangelism, refreshingly relevant and practical for today's culture. Just imagine engaging in spiritual conversations in such a way that people actually look forward to the adventure with anticipation and intrigue. Rick Richardson shows us how to make that happen! He's done a terrific job of empowering ordinary Christians to reach ordinary people with God's extraordinary message of forgiveness and life change."--Garry Poole, director of spiritual discovery, Willow Creek Community Church, and author of Seeker Small Groups

"As a businessman who strives to integrate faith at work, I struggle daily to be active in sharing my faith. The message of this book has given me new hope and excitement to invite friends on a spiritual journey."--Robert J. Priolo, P.E., M.B.A., business leader

"This book is fresh, provocative and insightful. If you've been running from the 'E-word, ' let Richardson give you a new vision for what evangelism can look like in your life, and in this culture. You'll be surprised--and motivated! Rick is a source of teaching you can trust; grounded in orthodoxy, but proven in experience."--Mark Mittelberg, international writer and speaker, and coauthor of Becoming a Contagious Christian

"This book gives language to the emerging forms of evangelism we see surfacing in many places--from a revised understanding of our role as Christ's ambassadors to the roles of friendship, community, narrative and invitation in helping people discover new life. Readers will experience Reimagining Evangelism as a breath of 'cosmic fresh air'!"--George G. Hunter, Distinguished Professor of Evangelization, School of World Mission and Evangelism, Asbury Theological Seminary

"I love Rick Richardson's view of evangelism as a journey with people who are moving toward God. It breaks the old perspective of evangelism as only getting people to cross the conversion line. How freeing! And imagine when that idea is coupled with the reality that it takes a community to save a soul. Lights will go on for many with this important book."--Lon Allison, Director, Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College

"Reimagining Evangelism is unnervingly good and dangerous. Good because it causes you to reimagine what it means to share Jesus with others on a spiritual journey. Dangerous because it leads you into transformational encounters."--The Reverend William Beasley, Anglican Mission in America

"Reimagining Evangelism is a book that every Christ-follower should read! Rick Richardson takes a word (evangelism) that scares all of us and helps us to see it as something adventuresome. Reimagining Evangelism is all about building spiritual friendships, living in community and a great excursion with God's Spirit. I love the challenge Rick gives us to help people find their way back to God."--Dave Ferguson, lead pastor, Community Christian Church/NewThing Network

"Rick Richardson loves evangelism but hates clich?s. Many believers (and unbelievers) have come to think of those two words as being inextricably linked. But Richardson is not about to surrender the spiritual practice of soul care for the people Jesus misses most to a religious marketing machine gone bad. In Reimagining Evangelism he introduces us to postmodern cultural realities and challenges us to see the big story of Jesus. A must-read for people who are done with programs but need a new paradigm to help them navigate the cultural twists and turns they find themselves swimming in."--Jim Henderson, frontman for Off the Map, and author of a.k.a. "Lost"

"I loved this book. It's so warm, inviting and full of stories I can relate to. Reimagining Evangelism teaches and models how to share your faith in a way you will like--and so will your friends."--Kevin A. Miller, Vice President, Christianity Today International

About the Author

Rick Richardson believes in journeying with people who are moving toward God. No need to sell Jesus, he says. The Holy Spirit will do that. Coming alongside others, with love, is all we need to do. An ordained priest with the Anglican Mission in America, Rick runs the evangelism and leadership program at Wheaton College Graduate School and is associate national director for evangelism with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA.

Edition details

• Publisher: IVP
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0830833420
• ISBN 13: 9780830833429
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 176