Evangelizing Church [Paperback]

Richard H. Bliese (Editor), Craig Van Gelder (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005

In a series of engaging essays and responses, the book explores how evangelism has functioned within Lutheranism historically and articulates a Lutheran theological perspective on evangelism within the broader developments in mission theology over the past several decades. It further helps to show how evangelism from a Lutheran perspective may be differentiated from other theologies of evangelism that are part of the Christian movement in our day. The book moves from theory to practice as it relates this theology of evangelism to the life of congregations that are seeking to proclaim the gospel in the emerging postmodern context, provides congregations with perspectives on how to utilize this theology in shaping the practice of evangelism within their church life. A study guide to encourage group discussion and reflection is included. Other contributors: Wyvetta Bullock Kelly Fryer Craig Nessan J. Paul Rajashekar

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: AUGSBURG FORTRESS (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806651091
• ISBN-13: 978-0806651095
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wake up call for Lutherans who want to serve God, April 7, 2006

By 

Stuart Bloom (Earlville, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evangelizing Church (Paperback)

This is not an easy book, but it is an important book for any Lutheran who, having received the loving grace of a God Who comes down to save us from our sin, wants to return a portion of that love by helping God in His mission to save all of mankind.

The motto of the book is "With the gift comes a call." The gift, of course, is that of faith and grace, which alone account for our salvation. The call is to move out of our comfort zone and share the remarkable Lutheran message of God's loving and saving grace with those who have not heard it.

The authors draw a distinction a church that engages in "evangelism" as one of the things a church does and an "evangelizing church." Evangelism is something we do, they say, whereas an evangelizing church is what a church is - or should be, or should at least be in the process of becoming. They make the point that Lutherans have historically not been very good at evangelism, and the counter-point that evangelizing is the reason for the church.

This is not a how-to book for increasing church attendance or church membership. It is a call to action for those of us who profess to be Lutherans but who have forgotten that we are commanded to follow Christ and become fishers of men.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evangelizing the Church, November 11, 2009

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Pappa B - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Evangelizing Church (Paperback)

The book arrived before the eta and was in excellent condition. I will buy from this seller again.

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lutherans don't go far enough, March 8, 2007

By 

Vegard Reigstad Tennebø "Mr. V" (Oslo, Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evangelizing Church (Paperback)

I think this book represents a good start, (I really do!!!) but lutherans have a long way to go in missional thinking and praxis. I beginning to understand that the theological categories, maybe especially for the Lutherans, represent language barriers that hinders us in communicating the content of our case adequately, even to young lutherans in a postmodern world. That is a challange! But this challange is not an underlying principal in this book, and therefor it might just end up regaining evangelizing living in a context that's no longer here, even if this is a good shot.