Copyright © 2020 Jeremy Joseph Sudler All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. RELATIONAL EVANGELISM STRATEGIES FOR CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, GREENWOOD, INDIANA __________________ Project Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Educational Ministry __________________ by Jeremy Joseph Sudler December 2020 APPROVAL SHEET RELATIONAL EVANGELISM STRATEGIES FOR CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, GREENWOOD, INDIANA Jeremy Joseph Sudler Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ Timothy K. Beougher (Faculty Supervisor) _________________________________________ Terry J. Betts Date_____________________________ I dedicate this project to my amazing wife, Nerissa who was my support, my helper, and my slave driver when it came to completing this project. I dedicate this project to the wonderful Kent and Lori Preston who mentored and loved me. They believed I was someone special when I thought I was a nobody. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... vii PREFACE ........................................................................................................................ viii 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 Context ................................................................................................................1 Rationale .............................................................................................................2 Goals ...................................................................................................................2 Research Methodology........................................................................................3 Definitions and Limitations/Delimitations ..........................................................3 Conclusion...........................................................................................................5 2. EXAMPLES OF RAPPORT BUILDING IN THE BIBLE ....................................6 Paul’s Hearing in Athens ....................................................................................6 Paul Observes Culture and History............................................................ 6 Commonality ............................................................................................. 7 Contrasts .................................................................................................... 8 Repentance ............................................................................................... 10 Jesus and the Samaritan Woman .......................................................................11 (John 4:4-30) .....................................................................................................11 Disputes ................................................................................................... 12 Social Differences .................................................................................... 14 The Need .................................................................................................. 15 Sharing the Gospel ................................................................................... 16 iv Chapter Page Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost ..............................................................................17 Hostility ................................................................................................... 17 Scripture ................................................................................................... 18 Repentance ............................................................................................... 21 Conclusion.........................................................................................................22 3. SUGGESTED TECHNIQUES FOR BUILDING RAPPORT ..............................24 U4 Resistant ............................................................................................. 25 U3 No Receptivity ................................................................................... 25 U2 Receptive ........................................................................................... 26 U1 Highly Receptive ............................................................................... 26 Evangelism Explosion .......................................................................................27 Oikos Method ....................................................................................................29 Building Rapport ...............................................................................................32 Warming the Heart .................................................................................. 32 Lending Your Ear .................................................................................... 34 Actions ..................................................................................................... 38 The Body Is Talking ................................................................................ 40 Conclusion.........................................................................................................46 4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS .............................................47 Chuck Colson—Watergate................................................................................47 Rapport .................................................................................................... 51 Lacey Sturm—Singer ........................................................................................52 Rapport .................................................................................................... 54 Michael Leehan—Satanist ................................................................................55 Rapport .................................................................................................... 61 v Chapter Page Bernard Nathanson—Abortion Doctor .............................................................62 Rapport .................................................................................................... 64 Mitsuo Fuchida—Japanese Airman ..................................................................65 Rapport .................................................................................................... 67 Michael Minot—Atheist ...................................................................................68 Rapport .................................................................................................... 72 Tenzin Lahkpa—Buddhist Monk ......................................................................73 Rapport .................................................................................................... 82 Lisa Brockman—Mormon ................................................................................83 Rapport .................................................................................................... 86 Jonas Abraham Davis—Jew .............................................................................87 Rapport .................................................................................................... 95 Michael Franzese—Mafia Member ..................................................................95 Rapport .................................................................................................. 104 Victor Torres Gang Member ...........................................................................104 Rapport .................................................................................................. 117 Nerissa Luneta—Jehovah’s Witness ...............................................................118 Rapport .................................................................................................. 122 5. A NEW THEORY ...............................................................................................124 Results .............................................................................................................124 Oikos Results ..................................................................................................126 Other Important Findings ................................................................................126 Future Studies..................................................................................................127 Conclusion.......................................................................................................130 BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................. 132 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Rapport in conversions ........................................................................................125 2. Oikos/non-oikos ratio ..........................................................................................126 vii PREFACE This study is made possible by the contributions and influence of the following. Doctor Bob Whitesel and Charles Arn from the Indiana Wesleyan University. Their knowledge in church growth, church health, and church revitalization has caused