A broad look at the broad topic of evangelism.
The Matthew 28 version of the Great Commission speaks of developing Disciples. There appear to be three basic steps: They are Evangelize, Baptize, and Teach/Train. The question is where does it start. Within the context of the various Great Commission versions, the start seems to be with Evangelize. That is because the key issue of …
Continue reading The Great Commission: Changing the Starting Point
Back in May 2005, we had an opportunity to do a ministry project with the market kids of Baguio City, Philippines, The market kids (also known as “batang palengke” or “plastic boys”) are children who work in the public open market in the center of Baguio City. They sell plastic bags for the shoppers, offer …
One positive side of enhanced quarantine is the opportunity to make progress on something that one had definitely had on the 'back burner.' I decided to try to finish my book "Missions in Samaria" a few months early. When I say it is done, I mean that the first draft is done. It is only …
I have been going over different Asian religions in my Dialogue in Asian Religions course. I started with Judaism in Western Asia and worked my way across to Shinto in the East. Now I am looking at Atheism. Atheism has deep roots in Asia. Some forms of Buddhism and Hinduism could be described as Atheistic, …
Dialogue is in contradiction to Evangelism. Or is it? Dialogue is generally thought of as conversation between two equals (certainly equals in terms of roles in conversation) so as to achieve mutual understanding. As such it is not driven by a desire to coerce another, or change another's mind. From this standpoint, it is certainly …
I don't do book reviews very often. Frankly, I usually read through or skim through books rather than deeply read a book. And I even more rarely read a book in the manner appropriate for critique. However, the author of "Principles of Leading Muslims to Christ" was one of my students, and I did work …
Continue reading Reflective Book Review: “Principles of Leading Muslims to Christ”
This is a long post so here is the short version. It is my contention that Chick Tracts (for those familiar with them) are not actually evangelistic tracts. Rather they are fan service created for consumption of and support by their real target-- Conservative Evangelical Christians. One channel I like to watch on the Web …
I was reading a dissertation I happen to like ("Pastoral Variables In Psychotherapy: Aa Instrument For Assessment" by David C. Stancil), I found some research he had done on the issue of despair and the related issue of hopelessness. I want to hit on a few things from that work. Stancil refers to Irving Yalom …
The following was a diagram that I had in my book, CHRISTIAN MEDICAL MISSIONS: Principles and Practices in the Church's Role for Effective Community Outreach in the Philippines and Beyond. However, it is quite useful in Project Design for ministry, with special focus on the transitioning from a short-term event or project to a long-term …
Each year in my Dialogue with Asian Relgions class, I have my students visit a local mosque. I also have them visit the Sikh temple and the Budhist temple. And sometimes other places are visited. The Sikh temple has been the favorite so far. But I especially want them to visit the mosque and the …