Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey, By Rick Richardson

Reimagining Evangelism

Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey

Reimagining Evangelsm Curriculum Set

by Rick Richardson
Foreword by Brian McLaren and Luis Palau

Reimagining Evangelism
Paperback
  • Length: 176 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.25 in
  • Published: June 26, 2006
  • Imprint: IVP
  • ISBN: 9780830833429

Finalist, Fourth Annual Outreach Resource of the Year

Sometimes talking about Jesus with your friends can feel like trying to close a deal on a sales call, pushing something on people they may not really want. But what if you thought of it more like inviting them on a spiritual journey?

Imagine being free to be yourself and free for the Spirit to work in you. Imagine that it doesn't depend on you alone but that you can be an important part of a witnessing community. Imagine telling people stories instead of trying to download content.

Here is your invitation to reimagine what evangelism could be for you.

"Reimagining Evangelism provides a powerful paradigm shift in evangelism, refreshingly relevant and practical for today's culture. Just imagine engaging in spiritual conversations in such a way that people actually look forward to the adventure with anticipation and intrigue. Rick Richardson shows us how to make that happen! He's done a terrific job of empowering ordinary Christians to reach ordinary people with God's extraordinary message of forgiveness and life change."Garry Poole, director of spiritual discovery, Willow Creek Community Church, and author of Seeker Small Groups
"As a businessman who strives to integrate faith at work, I struggle daily to be active in sharing my faith. The message of this book has given me new hope and excitement to invite friends on a spiritual journey."Robert J. Priolo, P.E.,M.B.A., business leader
"Reimagining Evangelism is unnervingly good and dangerous. Good because it causes you to reimagine what it means to share Jesus with others on a spiritual journey. Dangerous because it leads you into transformational encounters."The Reverend William Beasley, Anglican Mission in America
"All too often the church and the small group become the 'bushel' talked about in the kids song--'This Little Light of Mine.' More than a strategy, Reimagining Evangelism is a powerful way of life that allows everyone to be involved in sharing the love of Christ with others even if they don't have the 'gift' of evangelism. Rick challenges us to take our faith to the streets, discover stories, develop deep relationships and even have fun together with other Christ followers and with seekers. An assimilation tactic that allows seekers to 'belong before they believe.'"Randy Frazee, teaching pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, and author of The Connecting Church
"Reimagining Evangelism is a book that every Christ-follower should read! Rick Richardson takes a word (evangelism) that scares all of us and helps us to see it as something adventuresome. Reimagining Evangelism is all about building spiritual friendships, living in community and a great excursion with God's Spirit. I love the challenge Rick gives us to help people find their way back to God."Dave Ferguson, lead pastor, Community Christian Church/NewThingNetwork
"In Reimagining Evangelism Rick Richardson has refreshed our understanding of Christ's Great Commission. Trust is the issue--only a trusted friend can enter the inner life of post-Christian people. There is no instant intimacy or trust, for it only emerges over time on a common journey. That is why conversion is a journey, not simply a jump. Rick clearly shows how a journey with a Christian companion of honesty, vulnerability and integrity can open a heart betrayed by the experienceof religious flummery. Christians and non-Christians alike have been 'turned off' by quick-fix and manipulative methodologies. Rick has done a great service to the kingdom by expressing these important truths in an especially helpful way for our post-Christian, postmodern time."Paul Larsen, President Emeritus of the Evangelical Covenant Church
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CONTENTS

Foreword by Brian McLaren
Foreword by Luis Palau
Acknowledgments
1. Re-imagining Evangelism: Salespeople or Travel Guides?
2. Rediscovering the Holy Spirit: Collaboration Versus Activism
3. The Witness of the Community
4. The Art of Spiritual Friendship
5. The Power of Story
6. Jesus Outside the Box
7. Great News!
8. Invitation to a Wedding: Journey Versus Event
Appendix 1:Building Trust in a Multiethnic World
Appendix 2: The Great News: The "What's at the Center?" Gospel Illustration
Appendix 3: Models of Conversion
Appendix 4: Spiritual Gifts and Witness
Notes
About the Author

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Rick Richardson

Rick Richardson is director of the Billy Graham Center Institute and its Church Evangelism Initiative, and professor of evangelism and leadership at Wheaton College Graduate School. He previously served as evangelism and discipleship pastor at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois, and helped launch Willow Creek Community Church's first multisite campus. His books include Reimagining Evangelism and Evangelism Outside the Box.