Living Evangelism
Evangelism is at the heart of followers of Jesus Christ.
While we can't gather in person for Leadership Day this year, we're expanding our time of learning and discovery around the practice of evangelism.
Living Evangelism is designed to help us explore evangelism, in all its theological and missional depth, and develop an imagination for what it would look to deepen our understanding and practice. The ultimate goal of this experience is to inspire and equip all people in the Diocese as evangelists.
Starting October 5, and continuing for for the next 30 days, we will share a series of prompts through social media, helping us develop habits and practices of seeing, naming, and celebrating where God is working in our lives and the lives of those around us. Join us on this journey of #livingevangelism!
Download the Living Evangelism 30 Day Guide
Living Evangelism is an example of micro-formation and catechumenal metabolism. Micro-formation is a limited and intentional formation experience/immersion for individuals or communities with clear formation goals and thoughtful assessment of whether or not these goals were met at the conclusion of the experience. Micro-formation experiences can be one hour, one day, one week or one month. What makes a formation experience “micro-formation” is the heightened intentionality and relentless focus on the learning process and learning outcomes from a fixed beginning and fixed ending of the experience.
Experiences of “micro-formation” have the greatest impact in faith communities that have consistent and committed rituals and rhythms of spiritual growth based in intergenerational engagement of liturgy, scripture, fellowship, teaching, preaching, service and mentoring. “Micro-formation” is most effective as a means to intensify ongoing spiritual teaching, learning, and practice in a Christian community. “Micro-formation” can catalyze but not create a formation culture in a faith community. In the best-case scenario, once a micro-formation event has happened in a faith community, it generates joy, curiosity and community in ways that deepen the understanding of and the longing for greater spiritual growth within the existing ecology of the parish. A week of summer camp (for campers and adult volunteers), a pilgrimage, a mission trip, a seasonal bible study, Vacation Bible School: all these are examples of micro-formation that can, with the Holy Spirit, awaken and the deepen an individual’s desire for knowing God in that faith community.
An experience that demonstrates catechumenal metabolism is one that follows the four stages of the ancient Catechumenate, offering liturgical experiences for the entire community to mark thresholds throughout the process.
A quick reminder of the stages of the Catechumenate and how those stages are the structure of Living Evangelism:
Inquiry Stage
How will the Living Evangelism enact this stage?
Introduction of this experiment with Diocesan leaders prior to its beginning and offer a time to ask questions and generate buy-in.
Catechumenate Stage
How will Living Evangelism enact this stage?
Cover letter and/or short video with teaching about why disciples might be blessed by an intensive and fulfilling engagement of evangelism in preparation for the renewal of vows and a deeper understanding of the role of evangelism in those vows.
Intense Preparation Stage
How will the “30-Day Evangelism Challenge” enact this stage?
This is the actual 30-day period of prompts shared on social media (a hardcopy PDF is also available for leaders to share with their people through email)
Mystagogy Stage
How will Living Evangelism enact this stage?
Marking with celebration the completion of Living Evangelism and sending people forth to Convention and a renewal of their vows and mission as a Diocese.
Pedagogy
Click below to download images that can be shared on social media, congregational websites, and newsletters.
Promotional Materials
