Arlington Baptist College

1. Arlington Baptist College Cross Cultural Ministry CM 3303

2. Conspiracy of Kindness By Steve Sjogren

3. The Power of Kindness • Demonstrating the kindness of God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached

4. The Power of Kindness • Demonstrating the kindness of God – Visible Reminders of the Holy • By Offering to do – Service Before Self • Some act of humble service – Excellence in all we do • With no strings attached – “truth in advertising” – Integrity First

5. The Power of Kindness • People on the receiving end of simple acts of kindness come away with a more positive impression of Christianity than they previously had • With regular frequency, these deeds also open a door to deeper communication about the gospel

6. The Power of Kindness • Servant Evangelsim = deeds of love + words of love + adequate time

7. The Power of Kindness • American Christians tend to view evangelism as a one-shot deal – a “let ‘em have it while we’ve got their attention” blast from both barrels of a shotgun loaded with Scripture

8. Why does Servant Evangelism Work? • It is a process versus a project • Doing acts of kindness is “high grace” • Evangelism hits home when it begins with acceptance

9. Why Does Servant Evangelism Work? • Evangelism must overcome a credibility gap • An experience of love opens a person’s heart to a message of love

10. Unlearning the “E” Word • Christians typically approach evangelism in light of three possible choices: • The Shark • The Carp • The Dolphin

11. Seeing the World Through Jesus’ Eyes • Jesus saw through the eyes of the kingdom of God • Jesus saw through the eyes of Scripture • Jesus saw through eyes of mercy • Jesus saw people through the eyes of simplicity

12. Seeing the World Through Jesus’ Eyes • Jesus saw people through the eyes of integrity • Jesus saw people through the eyes of his culture • Jesus saw people through the eyes of reality

13. Unlearning the “E” Word • “Christians and non-Christians have one thing in common – they both hate evangelism!”

14. Getting Beyond Ourselves • Be with the people • Step out of your comfort zone • Bring the kingdom • Begin to care • Make yourself available

15. Getting Beyond Ourselves • Manage your fear by going with a group • Realize that failure is a given • Sow liberally

16. Five Discoveries that Empower Evangelism • People listen when I treat them like friends • When I serve, hearts are touched • As I serve, I redefine the perception of a Christian • Doing the message precedes telling the message • Focus on planting not harvesting

17. Servanthood Evangelism

18. Biblical Concept • 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. • Matthew 20:25-28

19. Servanthood Evangelism • 1. Servanthood Evangelism is intentionally sharing Christ by modeling biblical servanthood. • 2. Servanthood Evangelism is a combination of simple acts of kindness and intentional personal evangelism. • 3. What kindness is not – telling people what they want to hear so they will feel good about themselves.

20. Servanthood Evangelism • 4. What kindness is – doing something to show the love of Jesus in a practical way. • 5. Servanthood evangelism is made of two parts: • Service (acts of kindness) • Evangelism

21. Servanthood Evangelism • 6. Examples of Servanthood Evangelism: • Handing out soft drinks in a town’s business district • Going door-to-door in older communities with nine-volt batteries and checking residents smoke detectors • Absolutely free car wash – no donations • Taking light bulbs door to door and focusing on Jesus as the light of the world • Taking several rolls of quarters to a laundry mat and sharing Christ

22. Servanthood Evangelism • 7. Servanthood Evangelism is an effective approach to intentionally share one’s faith in today’s contemporary culture – it is trans-cultural evangelism. • 8. Matthew 20.28 “28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

23. Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism • It is effective in reaching people in today’s culture; it is easily contextualized without compromise. • People are more likely to allow a person to share their faith when evangelism is combined with simple acts of servanthood. • It is personal evangelism is a corporate setting.

24. Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism • It is low-risk evangelism – it focuses on the Lord of the Harvest versus some ingenious method or approach. • It should become an essential part of the church’s mission • It is enjoyable and fun!

25. Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism • It involves everyone is evangelism and is a wonderful family approach to witnessing. • Servanthood Evangelism follows the model of Jesus. • Servanthood Evangelism allows laypeople to use their creativity to initiate ministry opportunities.

26. Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism • Servanthood Evangelism takes very few resources and can thus be done anywhere in any setting. • Servanthood Evangelism is win-some because it is not utilitarian in its approach – it does not use people.

27. Foundational Principles of Servanthood Evangelism • Those participating must be intentionally evangelistic. • Those participating must genuinely care about people. • Eventually, those participating need to be equipped as personal witnesses – it is the result not the front-end requirement.

28. How To Begin Servanthood Evangelism • S – Seek the Father’s Power and Presence • E – Enlist the People • R – Resource • V – Vacate the Church and get involved in the local community • E – Evaluate

29. Final Issues • Servanthood Evangelism is not an end unto itself. • Servanthood Evangelism is a process, not a program.

30. Servanthood Evangelism • Servanthood evangelism has the potential of revolutionizing the ministry of any local congregation, student ministry, etc. If properly done on an intentional basis it will enhance the evangelistic ministries that already exist. The key issue is the corporate development of a servant mentality among God’s people.