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February update

No one’s interested 

In a recent survey by Tearfund, 52% of people in the UK of a religion and no religion said they prayed.(https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/19-january/news/uk/poll-probes-prayer-habits-of-believers-and-non-believers)

Over Christmas, 3,900 people in the UK found salvation through internet evangelism according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. (https://billygraham.org.uk/p/thousands-find-christ-christmas/)

On 9th and 10 February in Chelmsford, there were two evening concerts after a week of schools work with a total of 650 young people, with approximately half of them indicating they want to find out more about living for Jesus.

On 10th January. Churches Together in Chelmsford hosted a Civic breakfast with local councillors, Chelmsford and Essex council teams, police and the local M.P. as well as churches with the over – riding feedback from everyone that this is something that should happen annually.

Still believe no one’s interested in Christianity?

Resources review: Reach out Church communications booklets
(https://www.cpo.org.uk/product.aspx?prod=Z3605PK&cat=3412)

These are 4 small books (90 ish pages each) covering websites and social media for people who are not tech – literate, church from the outside (notice boards, displays, invitations and PR) and church from the inside (welcome, news sheets and magazines).  They explore why these things are important for people who might not naturally agree they are (could be important for any new proposals you might need to make to your church….), give realistic ideas and how to implement them in small steps and back them up with links for further information and support.  Examples are what is your aim in your communication to the community – welcome, invite, bless or provoke?   The aim will affect the form and content.  Is our communication cohesive, with the same message and feel from website to outside to inside?  People will notice if it isn’t.  If you can get a group of 10+ and a venue CPO will also provide some training in this.  Contact training@cpo.org.uk

Resources recommended: Datashine website
(http://datashine.org.uk)

This is a visual representation of the national 2011 census which you can focus down to your area, your community, your street even and find out about the people who live there, the households, the demographics, the employment and the beliefs.  Very useful for planning community work and outreach.

Prayer request

Thank you for all your prayers and interest shown in what I do.  As you can see by what I have been doing recently, I have been doing more speaking than strategising, which although I consider that one of my primary gifts, the aim of Evangelism consultancy is to help God’s church communicate Jesus.  So I will be promoting that more in the summer for the Autumn – please pray for known and unknown churches who need help with evangelism to hear and respond.

Past

Part of the team for a Christmas Advent family event at St Luke’s Moulsham.  Some families of people who go to church came to the event for the first time so I was on child looking after duty which they found amazing that someone would do.  It is a ministry not to be underestimated by the church for those who do it every week.

Preached at Broomfield Road Evangelical Church playgroup nativity service.  Whilst illustrating John 1 v 14, Jesus putting up a tent on earth literally, I got a Tweenies tent put up – and 4 of the children rushed into it screaming!  One of them had very recently had their Dad tragically die – a great testament to the church knowing and supporting local families.

Met with Saffron Walden’s Deanery Evangelism team to plan a training morning about how to preach the gospel which will lead onto two Sundays in June where the gospel will be preached in every church before then equipping people to tell other people the gospel.  An ambitious and original plan which is a privilege to be involved with.

Spoke at a Chelmsford Churches Together Civic breakfast at Hylands House (see above).  It was encouraging when someone said that what I spoke about was exactly what they had been talking about on their table before I spoke.

Future

4th March – leading the service at North Ave URC
10th March – leading Saffron Walden Deanery Evangelistic preaching training morning for clergy, lay preachers and evangelists
24th March – part of team for St Luke’s family event
30th March – speaking at Good Friday service in Chelmsford city centre with Churches Together
19th April and 16th May – co leading of Saffron Walden preachers preparation evenings
20th May – preaching at Great Leighs free church

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