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I'm looking for a way to reach out
to the Brandon community with
the message of the Gospel . . .
I'd like to work with others who are enthusiastic about
what Jesus can do in a person’s life . . .
If so, you too can join in leading
Immanuel Lutheran Church
and in sharing the Love, Joy, and Peace of Jesus Christ by working with
our Board of Evangelism. |
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"Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe
all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of
the age."
Matthew 28: 19-20 |
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Just What
IS Evangelism? |
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In our understanding, evangelism
in the broad sense is
nearly everything the Church does.
To evangelize is to spread the Gospel — both within the
Church
as well as to those in the outside community.
Essentially, the evangelism emphasis should be found in the duties of all
the Boards and Committees of Immanuel.
Although each member of the Board
will have specific responsibilities and will work with their own group of
individuals, they may not specifically be an "Evangelist" in the usual sense
of the term. This is because their responsibilities are overseeing and
coordinating the Evangelism program of Immanuel. While not every
member of Immanuel may be a candidate to serve on the Board, those who do
should have a greater sense of urgency and commitment to reaching the
unsaved and helping Immanuel members become more effective in their personal
evangelism.
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How Do I
Know If I'm Suited to DO Evangelism? |
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Generally, persons
committed to the work of Immanuel's Board for Evangelism should:
- Have mastered the basic concepts of the Gospel
as it comes to us in Word and Sacraments, centering in justification by
grace through faith.
- Have an attitude toward people that reflects
"the mind of Christ" — not judgmental, but helpful.
- Have a level of personal faith that is confident
of Christ’s blessing on his work.
- Be emotionally stable and sound.
- Be able to demonstrate zeal for the winning of
the lost.
- Be a person capable of speaking with others
fluently.
- Be willing to learn from others the techniques
and skills that make a good evangelist.
- Be able to communicate acceptance and show
genuine warmth.
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From the Chairman:
Here are the objectives of the Board for Evangelism |
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Our goal is for the Board
for
Evangelism to consist of at least eight members, including its Chairman.
The basic objectives of this Board
are to bring the Gospel to the unchurched, enlist all God’s people in the
work of spreading the Gospel, deepen the faith and activity of the members
of Immanuel, and ensure proper soul-accounting at all times.
So that the objectives of this Board
may be carried out, the Board, either corporately or through specifically
designated individuals, shall: |
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Share with the Pastor(s) in the
entire program of proclaiming the Gospel to all people.
Encourage prayer in church and
homes for sincere evangelistic concern toward all people inside and
outside the Church.
Foster a climate of evangelism that
encourages congregation members informally and spontaneously to share
Christ with one another, the backsliding, and the unsaved.
Emphasize evangelism through an
intensive every-member education program annually.
Maintain an ongoing visitation
program, offering people more than membership in a church — a saving
relationship with Christ.
Promote and direct congregation-wide
evangelism undertakings.
Be responsible for a program of
community relations that identifies the congregation with the Gospel of
Christ.
Use the evangelism potential of
The Lutheran Hour, This Is The Life, and other Synodical or
Christian programs.
Emphasize evangelism and encourage
evangelism programs in and through the societies and auxiliary
organizations of the congregation and suggest projects for such
organizations.
Emphasize, in conjunction with the
Board of Christian Education and Board of Youth Ministry, child and youth
evangelism, both in participation and outreach.
Periodically canvass the
congregation’s area of responsibility and effectively record, study, and
use the results in churching the lost and straying.
Be responsible for maintenance and
follow-up of a prospect file at all times.
Be responsible for maintenance and
follow-up of lay visitors.
Conduct special visitations to
witness for Christ and to invite prospective members to attend before
organization of Pastor-led instruction classes.
Be genuinely concerned for those
moving into the community and for those (both members and prospects)
moving into other areas. Use any and all means available for maintaining
such contacts.
In conjunction with the
Board of Elders and the Board for Stewardship, be concerned for the reception,
orientation, and integration of new members into the congregation. Review
their progress after 6 to 12 months.
Periodically sponsor dinners,
fellowship nights, etc., in conjunction with other organizations and
committees to serve the cultivation, reception, orientation, and
integration of new families or individuals.
Be conscious of the atmosphere of
friendliness in the congregation toward members and visitors and suggest
ways and means of improvement.
Study and adopt or adapt suggestions
by the evangelism departments of Synod, District, and circuit.
For administrative purposes and
program development, supervise the work of the Lutheran Laymen’s League.
Encourage evangelism programs in the
societies of the congregation.
Engage at least once yearly in
self-study of methods, progress, and the like of the Board’s work.
Submit a budget request for the
coming year's work to the Council and/or Finance Committee, in the
appropriate form and at the time requested.
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We
Invite You to Join Us —
Work with Our Board for Evangelism and
Become a Part of Leading Immanuel as
We Share the Love, Joy, and Peace of Jesus Christ. |
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