ARTICULATING OUR FAITH

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

To provide guidance in starting an equipping program for one-on-one evangelism in your parish

.BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Episcopal Church, in concert with the rest of the Anglican Communion, has declared the last ten years of this millennium to be the Decade of Evangelism. In many ways this is a misnomer. The work of the Church is the ministry of evangelism, proclaiming Jesus Christ to all creation. Yet it is right that we recall our calling. Periodically we need to rediscover the Bible’s unmistakable command that we go and tell. There are many ways to evangelize, and one of the most effective involves ordinary lay persons sharing their faith with other persons, One-on-one.

HOW IT WORKS

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do lay persons in your parish feel ill-equipped in sharing their Christian faith with others?
  • Does your rector see a need to equip lay persons in your parish to share their faith?
  • Is there a willingness in your chapter to sponsor training in one-on-one evangelism?

It your answer to any one of these questions is “Yes,” then the Brotherhood’s evangelism equipping program “Articulating Our Faith may well be the way to proceed.

“Articulating Our Faith” (AOF) is designed to be Implemented in the parish setting and led by parish clergy or qualified lay people. It is taught in nine individual sessions, and employs practical experience in sharing the gospel with others. It includes home study and discussions in small groups of evangelism concepts and techniques. AOF uses expressions and idioms familiar to Episcopalians.

The following are some of the topics discussed in the nine group sessions:

  • God and His nature
  • The Biblical view of humanity
  • Jesus -- who He is, what He did, and what He offers to us
  • The Holy Spirit’s role in evangelism
  • Sharing your own story of God’s love with warmth and confidence
  • Responding to difficult questions (e.g. Why do the innocent suffer?)

An AOF student workbook and a companion paperback textbook are provided each student participating in the nine—session AOF program. A trainer’s manual is also provided for the group leader.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Course materials including workbooks and texts, as well as informational brochures may be ordered from the Brotherhood’s Central Office.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Talk about it, pray about it, and speak with your rector.
You may want to schedule an AOF Introductory Weekend Workshop to explain AOF resources, methods, and procedures to participants in your parish (or Deanery or Diocese). The workshop is scheduled for a Friday evening, and Saturday in your parish and is led by a skilled practitioner. Although individual members of your chapter may not be keen on undertaking the AOF study course themselves, they may be happy to set up and sponsor a Weekend Workshop in your parish.
Call the Brotherhood Central Office to schedule an Introductory Weekend and/or order materials necessary to learn one-on-one evangelism using the AOF method. AOF has proven to be an effective evangelism in many parishes and dioceses of the Episcopal Church.
Last Update 03-31-2007