Full Title
TRAINING CHURCH MEMBERS FOR PERSONAL EVANGELISM IN A SECULAR POST-CHRISTIAN CONTEXT
Author
Gavin Perkins D.Min.
Abstract
The author’s chief goal in this project was to produce and pilot a useful and effective resource in training believers in personal evangelism. Although he conducted the field work during COVID-19 lockdowns and disruption that goal was substantially achieved.
Biblical study, theological reflection, and sociological insights formed the foundation for the author’s development of the training course. That research shaped a congregational survey regarding attitudes to personal evangelism, which in turn fed into an expert sample of ministry leaders and evangelistic trainers. In the light of these inputs the author wrote and piloted a four-week evangelistic training course. Course participant responses enabled the author to make a preliminary assessment regarding the effectiveness of the training course.
The author then suggested a trajectory along which he could develop the course, and supplement it with additional support and resources. He also mapped out a ministry plan for the construction of an evangelistic ecosystem within a local church, incorporating an adapted version of the piloted course alongside additional groups and further input.
The needs identified in this project regarding evangelistic training were greater than could be met in a short four-week course, but the author identified sufficient reasons for confidence that, alongside further ministry inputs, such a course could play a vital part in shifting a church’s culture in a more evangelistic direction.
Biblical study, theological reflection, and sociological insights formed the foundation for the author’s development of the training course. That research shaped a congregational survey regarding attitudes to personal evangelism, which in turn fed into an expert sample of ministry leaders and evangelistic trainers. In the light of these inputs the author wrote and piloted a four-week evangelistic training course. Course participant responses enabled the author to make a preliminary assessment regarding the effectiveness of the training course.
The author then suggested a trajectory along which he could develop the course, and supplement it with additional support and resources. He also mapped out a ministry plan for the construction of an evangelistic ecosystem within a local church, incorporating an adapted version of the piloted course alongside additional groups and further input.
The needs identified in this project regarding evangelistic training were greater than could be met in a short four-week course, but the author identified sufficient reasons for confidence that, alongside further ministry inputs, such a course could play a vital part in shifting a church’s culture in a more evangelistic direction.
Subjects
Degree Granting Institution
Country
United States
Degree Granted
Doctor of Ministry
Major
Leadership and Management
Type of Work
D.Min. Project
Advisor
Sam Chan Ph.D.
William Donahue Ph.D.
Jonathan Y. Kim Ph.D.
Language
English
Date
2022
Copyright Statement
Copyright is held by author. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.