Models of Evangelism
by Priscilla Pope-Levison
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Pub Date Oct 27 2020 | Archive Date Nov 27 2020
Baker Academic & Brazos Press | Baker Academic
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Description
Many sincere Christians dismiss evangelism due to enduring evangelistic caricatures. This book helps readers move beyond those caricatures to consider thoughtfully and practically how they can engage in evangelism, whether it's through one-on-one conversations, social media, social justice, or the liturgy of worship services.
At once biblical, theological, historical, and practical, this book by a seasoned scholar offers an engaging, well-researched, and well-organized presentation and analysis of eight models of evangelism. Covering a breadth of approaches--from personal evangelism to media evangelism and everything in between--Priscilla Pope-Levison encourages readers to take a deeper look at evangelism and discover a model that captures their attention. Each chapter introduces and assesses a model biblically, theologically, historically, and practically, allowing for easy comparison across the board. The book also includes end-of-chapter study questions to further help readers interact with each model.
Advance Praise
“Models of Evangelism is an insightful, thought-provoking, inspiring, and practical guide for all who are interested in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ today. Really a terrific book!”—Adam Hamilton, senior pastor, The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
“The familiar faces of evangelism are hot, coercive mantras and cool, manipulative marketeering. Priscilla Pope-Levison will have none of that! Instead, she provides a rich, comprehensive taxonomy of the various spheres of evangelism, each of which reaches out in hospitable ways to different populations. She is deeply informed on the subject and offers judicious commentary along the way. Her aim throughout this instructive study is immediately practical for those who want to get on with the task. This book will be for a long while the state-of-the-art articulation on this urgent subject. It is a welcome articulation!”—Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
“Churches often struggle with how to convince members to engage in evangelism and the best ways to equip them to be effective evangelists. It is no easy task. Models of Evangelism is both welcome and refreshing in so many ways. Dr. Priscilla Pope-Levison, my friend, mentor, former professor and advisor, has found a way to integrate the practical with the theoretical while embracing the spiritual aspects of evangelism. Rather than offer a long checklist of dos and don’ts, she paints a powerful portrait of what good evangelism and good evangelists look like and lets the reader know how they can embody these traits. This book not only offers biblical, theological, historical and practical foundations for each of the models it features but also presents distinct and realistic ways for Christians to witness to others with confidence and in their own voice. Pope-Levison also does not shy away from the difficulties in evangelizing to others, making this book a much-needed tool for church and lay leaders to re-engage (or engage for the first time) in going forth and telling the world to ‘come and see’ a man named Jesus who turned the world upside down and can transform their very lives. I hope church and lay leaders will include Models of Evangelism in their evangelism classes and trainings, and encourage everyone in their church to read, embrace, and be inspired by it!”—Leslie Copeland-Tune, ordained Baptist minister and chief operating officer of the National Council of Churches USA
“This is a landmark contribution to the literature on evangelism. Steeped in detailed historical study, written with grace and wit, and informed by years of reflection, Pope-Levison’s book gives us a splendid overview of our options for evangelism. In addition, Pope-Levison writes with deep affection for evangelists and for the work of evangelism. There is no note of abject apology; no hand-wringing about past failures; no moralistic effort to make us feel guilty. The author simply draws us into an attractive vision of what has been done in the past and what can be done in the future. And to crown all its virtues, the volume is user friendly and utterly accessible. It is a total pleasure to recommend it without hesitation or qualification.”—William J. Abraham, Outler Professor of Wesley Studies and University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Southern Methodist University
“Combining a history of evangelism in America and sound, Wesleyan theology with her extensive knowledge of the church and her passion for spreading the good news of Christ, Priscilla Pope-Levison has given us one of the decade’s best books on evangelism. With her models for evangelism, she shows the rich variety of ways that Christians have found to go public with their faith as well as offering today’s churches the practical guidance for how to talk about and show Christ in our day. With Pope-Levison’s guidance, you are sure to find a model that works for you and your congregation. This is the right book at the right time by the right Christian leader.”—Will Willimon, professor of the practice of Christian ministry, Duke Divinity School; author of Aging
“Grounded in history, experience, and sound exegesis, Pope-Levison’s book offers eight models for evangelism. For some Christians, this book will represent something of a revelation because the author is unapologetic about the mandate for evangelism. For others, it will enrich, and no doubt complicate, their understanding of evangelism by pointing out the essential nature of traditional Christian virtues such as hospitality, relationship, and integrity. Models of Evangelism is an excellent and thought-provoking book.”—Randall Balmer, Episcopal priest and John Phillips Professor in Religion, Dartmouth College
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780801099496 |
| PRICE | $24.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 208 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Conrade Y, Reviewer
How do we do evangelism? What does it mean to be an evangelist? Are we all called to evangelize like the famous evangelists in history? What is evangelism? In this book that takes us back to the very basics of evangelism and the different methods in which we can share the gospel, readers learn biblical ways to share Jesus practically without compromising theological principles. The key thesis in this book is that evangelists come in all shapes and sizes; and we are all evangelists. All we need is to find the right combination of evangelism models and our own style of sharing the gospel. The author does that by first showing us a few real-life examples of the different models at work. In fact, the models were drawn out of these experiences. Each chapter beings with an anecdote following by a description of the biblical principles behind the method. Each model had at least two theological themes to anchor each model. The historical background helps us appreciate the past notable practitioners for simply wanting to reach people with whatever they know. I like the critical appraisal of each model that points out the strengths and weaknesses of each method. At the end of each chapter, the author gives readers a chance to wrestle with five reflective questions. The eight models range from one-to-one personal evangelism to larger corporate events such as mass revival meetings and mass media.
1) Personal: Like friendship evangelism, this method focuses on the skills needed for a 1-to-1 relationship
2) Small Group: A way of sharing the gospel via a group study over a short period of time
3) Visitation: Knocking on doors; tracting; and visiting people at their homes
4) Liturgical: Having an evangelistic emphasis through the Church year; especially during special occasions
5) Church Growth: Coming up with new creative ways to welcome people into the Church and the gospel message
6) Prophetic: challenging people to speak the gospel into society through social justice, political movements, and economic matters
7) Revival: Organized rallies
8) Media: Using the Internet and mass media
My Thoughts
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It has been said that if a Church does not evangelize, she fossilizes. A growing Church is a Church that reaches out rather than mere reaching in. Indeed, without evangelism, the Church will not grow. In fact, the Church might not even be obeying her calling. Evangelism ought to be the way of life. Unfortunately, one of the problems with evangelism is the lack of understanding of what and how it is to be done. Many people grow up with simply one or two models on how to do evangelism. Influenced by such methods, they might start thinking that if any outreach does not resemble what they have learned or experienced, then it is not evangelism. Unfortunately, this kind of understanding is myopic. It also straitjackets the meaning of evangelism. As society becomes increasingly diverse and multicultural, it is even more critical to be equipped with as many skills and methods as possible. Armed with a bigger arsenal of tools and know-how, people would be better equipped to adapt and to utilize whatever is most appropriate for different contexts. Enters this book that shows us not just one or two, but eight models of evangelism. Wow. Surely that would give make any evangelist or evangelist-to-be super excited. By expanding our understanding of evangelism and the various ways in which we can share the gospel, we can start to move away from unhealthy fixed modes toward a more flexible and dynamic way to speak of Jesus's love. Let me offer three thoughts.
First, this book expands our understanding not only of evangelism or the methods of evangelism, but to help us identify our own "sweet spots" of evangelism. We all have our gifts and talents. Not all of us are called to be great evangelists who are able to influence large crowds. Knowing the different methods available to us will not only help us find our strongest inclination but also to join the evangelism community around the world. After all, Jesus has said that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Hopefully, this book can add to the small number of people doing evangelism.
Second, I believe we should not get stuck on any one model and presume that as our only modus operandi. In fact, the best evangelist will not get hung up on the exact model per se, but would happily use any of them as long as the gospel is preached or the person is reached. Just like Paul's enthusiasm in Philippians 1:18, as long as our desire is to reach the person with the gospel, the more methods we know, the better we are able to adapt to the person's willingness to listen.
Finally, I believe this is a powerful book for equipping the Church. It might even make evangelists out of all of us, albeit in different shapes and sizes. In fact, I would even say that the challenges of today are much more complex than mere people and methods. For that reason, I appreciate the author's appraisal sections most helpful. In fact, the most common method of evangelism, the personal evangelistic method, is even said to be the most difficult of all. Perhaps, we should not be discouraged by that. I like to think of evangelism as a process. Some of us do better at sowing while others at watering. Eventually, some people would do the harvesting. Whatever it is, as long as we are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each model, we will be most effective whatever model we choose to use.
This book deserves to be read, taught, and preached to the Church at large. We need more workers for the harvest and equipping people is one of the best way to supply that. This book is that powerful tool to do just that.
Priscilla Pope-Levison is Associate Dean for External Programs and Professor of Ministerial Studies at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Before coming to Perkins, she was Professor of Theology and Assistant Director of Women’s Studies at Seattle Pacific University for 15 years.
Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
