Rev Bill

I have posted yesterday’s sermon on my sermon blog.

It’s the sixth in my series of sermons on “an Easter Church” — based on John 17:1-11 and entitled “An Easter Church Is Evangelical.”

Here’s a portion of it:

Many people do not have a very positive image of evangelism – or of evangelists – or of sharing their faith. And since they do not have a positive image of it, they do not take part in it – leaving it to someone else – feeling that there is no
way they are going to take part in evangelism – or being an evangelist – or sharing their faith.
And yet — one thing that being an “Easter Church” means is that we can be evangelists – that we can do the work of evangelism – that we can be Evangelicals.
An “Easter Church” is Evangelical!
An “Easter Church” is Evangelical!
But – as I have already noted — the way we think about evangelism has a lot to do with the way we do evangelism.
The image we have of being evangelical has a lot to do with whether or not we are going to be evangelicals!
The negative ideas we have about evangelism have a lot to do with why we do not do evangelism.
Presbyterians have not done a very good job at evangelism in the past few years – and we have lost many members and not gained many more because of it. A recent study of the major denominations showed that the Presbyterian Church (USA) lost thousands of members every year – leading the way in membership loss of the 25 top denominations.
Yea – We’re Number One!
But membership loss is not something you want to be number 1 in!
Maybe we need to take another look at evangelism – evangelists – being evangelical — and sharing your story!

You can read the sermon here.

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