Knox Fellowship trains Presbyterians for evangelism By Parker T. Williamson The Presbyterian Layman Friday, March 26, 1999  On
repeated occasions in the last decade the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) has identified evangelism as a top priority
item. However, to put hands and feet to this commitment has not been
easy, for Presbyterians often find it difficult to articulate their
faith in social situations. Knowing that every great spiritual awakening
has been born out of prayer, in 1989 a group of clergy and laity came
together to pray that a fresh breeze of the Spirit would move over the
church. Out of this prayer experience Knox Fellowship was born. A single
objective was identified, namely “to assist churches in evangelism,”
and to do so by working in and through the governing bodies of the
church.Every month Rev. Scott Bohr, Knox Fellowship’s director of Evangelistic Strategies and Techniques, dispatches six-person teams of volunteers to conduct three-day events in four to six churches. Broad-spectrum professional music, inspirational preaching, and dynamic children’s programs are essential aspects of these weekend events. The typical goal set by sessions working with the Knox Fellowship is to enable the congregation to achieve a net membership increase of 30 percent within five years. Of this increase, 30 percent is expected to come through confession of faith, 30 percent by re-affirmation of faith, and 40 percent by transfer of membership. Almost all congregations utilizing the fellowship’s services have reached or exceeded the 30 percent growth goal, often reversing preceding years’ declining membership trends. The program by which Knox Fellowship assists churches is divided into three stages. Foundations for Evangelism Stage One is called “Foundations for Evangelism.” This stage includes two events, a “Refreshment Occasion,” and a “Faith Journey Weekend.” The first consists of a Saturday night and Sunday experience featuring instrumental and vocal music, a Christian experience report, an introductory, short teaching on the faith Christians proclaim and a message by an outstanding preacher. The Faith Journey Weekend includes experience of teaching, small groups, music and preaching to the end that a four-fold purpose may be reached. (1) A number of people will come to faith in Christ, others will rededicate their lives to Christian discipleship and become active members of the congregation. (2) People of the church will be challenged with the joy of sharing their faith, and, if equipped will offer themselves to participate in outreach ministry. (3) The Session will accept ownership of the church’s outreach program and give responsible leadership to it. (4) A church will be reenergized so that it feels a sense of urgency to reach its community. Stage Two is called “Structuring for Evangelism.” This program helps a church identify its evangelistic vision for the next five years, set goals and identify strategies toward their fulfillment.
Stage Three includes a program designed to enable all members of the congregation to become involved in the outreach ministry and it trains them in the tools needed to be effective participants. The Knox Fellowship has offices in New York City, Philadelphia, and Burlingame, Cal., and has organized itself to assist approximately 80 congregations in any given year. It is supported by giving from churches, by individuals, by presbyteries and by Christian foundations. For more information contact Knox Fellowship at 500 Airport Blvd., Suite 329, Burlingame, Calif. 28711, 650-3470-619, e-mail: knoxfellow@aol.com, website: www.knoxfellowship.com |
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| The Presbyterian Layman March/April 1999 | ||
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