Sometimes in our attempt to develop and understand and practice our faith, we fall into a worldly paradigm of barter. What will it cost me to be saved, to know redemption?
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Posts Tagged ‘evangelism’
Return on Investment
Posted by Sharon Pearson on April 24th, 2012
Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry, Spirituality |
Tags: Christian formation, evangelism, Jesus, mission, stewardship 
Comments OffVirtually Religious: Technology and Congregations
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 23rd, 2012
The use of technology is now a congregational necessity that comes with significant ministerial advantages. A congregation that does not strategically employ these technologies is likely to be perceived as out of sync with the contemporary world.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: communication, evangelism, future, technology Comments OffGive a Gift to Yourself for Holy Week & Easter
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 19th, 2012
In Holy Week (April 1-7 this year) the church dramatizes the events leading up to and including the suffering of Jesus on the cross. At Easter we dramatize Jesus’ resurrection. We live in a very pluralistic society, but many people still recognize the significance of Holy Week and Easter even if they don’t attend a church.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Easter, evangelism, Good Friday, Holy Week, hospitality, Maundy Thursday Comments OffWhat is meant by “growth”?
Posted by Sharon Pearson on February 8th, 2012
If I read the Great Commission correctly, it is to make “disciples” and not “converts.” It seems to me that “conversion” is seed in shallow soil, while “discipleship” is a lifelong process of increasing commitment both to God and to each other.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Christian formation, Christianity, evangelism, future, Jesus Comments OffTransparent Evangelism
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 25th, 2012
Enter Ryan. Dark, bearded, wide brown eyes, relaxed. He was wearing an aqua-colored T-shirt printed with these words that spanned the width of his chest. “I could talk about this stuff for hours.” Perfect, I thought. It might take hours.
|The Bible Challenge
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 13th, 2012
What if millions of Christians could develop a lifelong habit of reading the Bible and be inspired to encourage others to join us so that together we could share this spiritual practice and know the love that God has for us and take our faith more seriously?
| Posted in Community, Featured |
Tags: adults, Bible, children's ministry, evangelism, God, youth ministry 1 Comment »Is Religion Poison?
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 28th, 2011
In the last few years I’ve become aware that many of my friends, especially in the queer identified community, struggle in a very big way with religion, particularly Christianity. Hearing stories like the one above, who could blame them? Having people who are supposed to believe in compassion and love, and yet act in a disowning and intolerant manner smacks of hypocrisy.
| Posted in Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Christianity, diversity, evangelism, God, social justice, young adults Comments OffChristmas Evangelism
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 12th, 2011
There will be a lot of people in most of our churches on Christmas Eve, and perhaps at special services in Advent and Epiphany. Certainly, some will be out of town family and friends. But equally certainly, some will be in-towners worshipping at Christmas and perhaps seeking, if only unconsciously, a church home.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, evangelism, hospitality, worship 1 Comment »Learnings from the Conference on Emerging Adulthood
Posted by Sharon Pearson on November 8th, 2011
It did not come as a surprise that there has not been much study of our Emerging Adults because they do not self-identify as “devout” or “religious” – rather, if they identify at all with religious beliefs they name themselves “spiritual, but not religious.”
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: adults, Christian formation, emerging church, evangelism, future, hospitality, young adults Comments OffClosing the Back Door
Posted by Sharon Pearson on November 7th, 2011
You’ve probably heard it before, often as a complaint:“20% of the people are doing 80% of the work.” The truth of the matter is that too many people in our congregations are not engaged with the mission and ministry of their congregation and their own spiritual growth.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: communication, evangelism, hospitality, mission, newcomers Comments OffReaching Bullies
Posted by Sharon Pearson on November 4th, 2011
It’s easy to scoop up little ones and want to protect them from their aggressors, but who’s reaching the bullies? As the parent of a child with Autism, I know the pain parents feel when bullies victimize children who can’t defend themselves. As a Christian, my heart also melts for the kids who become bullies. What does the future hold for them?
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: bullying, children's ministry, evangelism, parents, partnerships, youth ministry Comments OffWho’s Afraid of the Big Bad Evangelism?
Posted by Sharon Pearson on November 1st, 2011
In high school and much of college, I used this quote to explain my take on evangelism. I saw classmates of mine who aggressively talked about God and did everything but drag others kicking and screaming to their church. Francis of Assisi’s quote gave me an excuse to NOT be like those classmates of mine.
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