Christianity

Question 1

What is evangelism?

Answer 1

Evangelists are Christians who believe their duty is to preach/proclaim the Gospel, with the aim of converting people to Christianity.
• they believe the best way to preach the Gospel is how they live their lives - with kindness and charity
• go on missionary work
• goal is to influence people to follow Christ

Question 2

What is missionary work?

Answer 2

• The idea of every Christian being an evangelist is called the Church’s Mission
• Mission to tell the message of salvation to all
• Clear intention of bringing people into the faith
• Missionaries are also important for bringing education and health to poorer societies
• Came around the time of Jesus, when there was an important sense of mission to convert Jews and others to the new religion of Christianity
• Missions are more contentious - pluralist society debates the ethics or trying to convert people
‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations’ - Matthew 28:19

Question 3

What is ‘Church planting’ and why is it important?

Answer 3

• in recent years, the number of evangelical churches have grown despite a depletion in the attendance of Catholic/Anglican churches
• introduced a process of establishing new, non traditional churches and is successful in many areas
• happens when groups from church split off and go to a new area to establish a church there
• emphasises the idea that ‘church’ applies to a group of Christians, not just a building
• Icthus Fellowship 1974 aims to spread values by church planting

Question 4

What is fresh expressions?

Answer 4

• movement in C of E to change the way some churches and congregations meet/worship
• attempt to attract people who wouldn’t usually attend
• meet in less traditional settings and are more informal
• locations can be gyms, workshops, beach, cafe etc
• meet to talk about faith