Orthodox Evangelism (abridged) A brief resource guide for Orthodox Christians Produced by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Department of Missions and Evangelism

Preparing and Giving If you converted to Christianity/ Orthodoxy, explain: A Starter Your Personal 1) your spiritual life before converting Recommended 2) how you converted Spiritual Journey 3) your spiritual life after converting Reading List from Fr. Peter Gillquist If you grew up Christian/Orthodox, Here are some good literature ideas describe one or more of these: for introducing others to the Orthodox One of the easiest and most 1) your childhood, youth, and adulthood Christian Faith, better understanding effective ways to share God with others 2) what Christ means to you your own Faith, and learning more is telling them about your own 3) a life changing event (spiritual about Orthodox evangelism. experience of God — what I call giving awakening, lifting up of one’s soul) your personal spiritual journey (often this 4) what you know about God, and how is referred to as giving your testimony). you know it 1) The Orthodox Study Bible This could involve explaining how you 2) Becoming Orthodox came to believe in Jesus Christ, why Key elements for everyone: by Fr. Peter Gillquist you became Orthodox, or simply how 1) Keep it brief (3 minutes is ideal) 3) Introducing the Orthodox Church God has impacted your life. 2) Make it personal by Fr. Anthony Coniaris Giving one’s testimony is a 3) Tell a story or dialogue 4) The Orthodox Church traditional and very ancient Orthodox 4) Include elements to which the listener by Bishop Kallistos (Timothy) Christian method of evangelism. St. can relate Ware Paul writes about his conversion several 5) Give 3 reasons why you believed in 5) Thirsting For God in a Land of times in Acts, the man born blind Christ, or converted to Orthodoxy, or Shallow Wells testifies before the Sanhedrin to what renewed your commitment to Christ by Matthew Gallatin Jesus did for him, and the emissaries 6) Point out the one most significant 6) A Sorrowful Joy of St. Vladimir report their experience event/influence on the journey by Albert Raboteau of the Kingdom of God when they 7) Struggles along the way 7) Orthodox Alaska worshipped in Constantinople. by Fr. Michael Oleksa Here are a few ideas to help you See the article by Fr. Jon Braun on the 8) Facing East prepare and give your personal spiritual back of this sheet for more about by Frederica Mathewes-Green journey: sharing how God has worked in your life. 9) Topical Booklets Series from Conciliar Press (over a dozen booklets on topics such as Church history, the Bible and Tradition, worship, the Theotokos, and more)

HELP! And here are a couple more titles particularly well-suited for those who For help with missions, evangelism and questions about the already are Orthodox. Orthodox Christian Faith: 1) The Orthodox Faith The Department of by Fr. Thomas Hopko Missions and Evangelism 2) Divine Energy 777 Camino Pescadero by Fr. Jon Braun Santa Barbara, CA 93117-4908 3) The Apostolic Fathers (805) 685-5400 edited by Fr. Jack Sparks

[email protected] (The above can be purchased through www.antiochian.org/missions Conciliar Press (look under "HELP!"). They also might be available from your parish bookstore, and some might be found at your college library.) us and, as Christ said, “You shall be herself as a Roman Catholic, approached “Joe Evangelist” witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8). If me. I asked her if she was a Christian by Fr. Jon Braun, everything were going right, we would have and if she had ever received Jesus Christ pastor of St. Anthony Antiochian to tell some people to tone it down! into her life. Without flinching she replied, Orthodox Church, San Diego, CA Let’s be very clear about one thing: “I receive Christ into my life every Sunday you are to witness to Christ, not to the when I go to communion.” I suddenly was Following is a summary of the opening structure of the Orthodox Church. Christ at a loss for words because she was so address of the 2000 Orthodox Conference is center, the focus. If we witness to the bold in her confidence! Here I was, a very on Missions and Evangelism, in which Fr. Orthodox Church, you will disappoint many aggressive young evangelical minister Jon Braun stressed how important and of the people who come. The Church is stumped because this young woman easy it is for each of us to be an not perfect; Christ is. The Church is unhesitatingly knew what she experienced evangelist, or witness, for Christ. important, but it is nothing without Christ. in the sacraments. Witnessing is easy because it all comes There are at least two important Should someone ask, “When were down to simply sharing good news — what things you need to know and do to be an you saved?” you respond, “When I was God has done in our own lives — with evangelist for Christ. Number one, you baptized!” After all, that is what both others. (Reprinted from the Department need to tell what God has done in your life Christ and St. Peter the Apostle said (Mark of Missions and Evangelism Newsletter — and what He means to you. Most of us 16:16; Acts 2:38). If one asks if you have Advent 2000.) don’t have personal experiences of received the Holy Spirit, say yes with demonstrative miracles, but those things boldness and confidence in your aren’t necessary, and there are greater chrismation when you received “the seal o be an evangelist all you need is things. In the sacraments (or the of the gift of the Holy Spirit.” There is great to be able to talk — or to write. It’s mysteries, as we prefer to call them) we power in telling of God's work in the Tsimply a matter of sharing your experience the greatest miracles possible! sacraments. Christian Faith. Don’t hesitate to talk about the Summing it up, what does “Joe It’s really not difficult to share good sacraments and what they mean to you. Evangelist” mean? It’s not that you news. Most of us can hardly wait to tell One night, when I was a young become preachers, as it were, to all your people about the good things that happen Protestant minister, I was teaching a group friends. It is far simpler. It’s that you tell in our lives. That’s all we are asked to do how important it is to receive Christ and how Christ has touched you and how you in being a Christian witness. When we have a personal relationship with Him. experience Him and know Him in your are baptized the Holy Spirit comes upon Afterward, a young woman, who identified Church. It’s easy to share good news.

other person will react. Even most Step 3: Use discernment and focus Evangelism Doesn’t seminary graduates get a little squeamish your efforts. Concentrate on the friends Have to Be Scary at the prospect of sharing their faith. with whom you have influence, you enjoy Most of us only have a narrow spending time with, and who are most by Howard Lange stereotype of what evangelism is: street receptive to what God has to offer them. Department of Missions and Evangelism preaching, door-to-door solicitations, and Step 4: Strengthen your mass rallies. These have their place, but relationships. Enjoy each others’ An excerpt from a review of Fr. Martin these are not natural for most of us nor company through shared activities and Ritsi's (director of the Orthodox Christian the most effective means of outreach. conversations. Have fun together! Mission Center) "Friends and Family Fr. Martin’s “Friends and Family Step 5: Enhance your witness. Evangelism" method. (Reprinted from the Evangelism” method is essentially how the Learn your faith and be able to verbalize Department of Missions and Evangelism Orthodox Churches in Albania and Africa it. Also know where to lead a person for Newsletter — Pascha 2001.) have grown so rapidly, and it is proven further opportunities to experience Christ. effective in North America as well. This Step 6: Incorporate into the Church. od desires that all men should be method also is very biblical. Many of the This is the goal — the “extended family” saved, He sent His Son Jesus conversions recorded in the Book of Acts member must become part of our family GChrist into the world to effect this, happened in the same way. in Christ. This step is not automatic, but and He calls His people to spread the Here’s a thumbnail step-by-step is more like the care and nurture provided gospel through evangelism (Isaiah 45:22, sketch of the “Friends and Family to a newborn child. John 3:16-17, Matthew 28:18, 1 Timothy Evangelism” method. A survey of over 15,000 people by 2:1-4). However, outreach seems a low Step 1: Identify who is in your the Institute for American Church Growth priority for most parishes and individual personal “extended family”, i.e. your close reports that a whopping 75-90% came to Orthodox Christians. friends, relatives, and associates who are their church and to Christ because of the Why are Orthodox believers not not presently committed to Christ and the influence of a friend or relative! Follow the more involved in evangelism? I think the Orthodox Church. "Friends and Family" method, and you will greatest reason is fear — we’re not sure Step 2: Pray regularly for each have taken the first step to becoming an what to do and say, and we worry how the extended family member. evangelist for Christ!