Sep 13, 2024, 4:35 PMSM CommunicationsPaisley
Redefining Evangelism in Today's World
The churches of Paisley and Faifley in the west of Scotland are redefining their approach to evangelism, moving away from the traditional view of outreach as a sporadic event. Instead, the church leaders are working on cultivating an environment where evangelism becomes a continuous and integral part of church members’ daily life. Their recent evangelistic series, The Evidence, held in August, highlighted this new perspective—one focused on community, shared experiences, and building lasting connections.
The motivation behind The Evidence series was twofold: to reach individuals seeking meaning with the Gospel and to shift the church from a passive stance to one that embraces a lifestyle of consistent outreach.
The series primarily targeted young married couples—people balancing family life, careers, and the search for meaning. Dr Anthony Kent, the guest speaker, presented compelling evidence for the Bible, Jesus, Christianity, and faith in a way that resonated with modern life. Rather than focusing solely on religious doctrine, the presentations addressed deeper, more relatable questions about happiness, purpose, and well-being, demonstrating that faith-based discussions need not be confined to abstract theology. Instead, they can touch on the real challenges and decisions people face every day, making them relevant and accessible in today’s context.
Despite logistical challenges—such as a limited planning window and the event taking place during the busy summer period—the turnout exceeded expectations. The hall was filled to capacity on Saturday, with many attendees being first-time visitors.
A particularly memorable moment occurred after Saturday’s presentation, when several attendees openly discussed how the event had impacted them. Five people even expressed a desire to start Bible studies, marking a significant step toward the church’s goal of ongoing community outreach and personal engagement.
The success of The Evidence inspired further outreach events, including an International Day at Paisley Church and a Health Expo at Faifley Church.
This shift in perspective—from seeing evangelism as merely religious outreach to viewing it as an opportunity to create spaces for meaningful conversations and relationships—has re-energised many church members. Evangelism, in this sense, becomes more than just a call to faith; it serves as a platform for people to come together, ask important life questions, support one another, and build deeper connections.
The churches of Paisley and Faifley in the west of Scotland are redefining their approach to evangelism, moving away from the traditional view of outreach as a sporadic event. Instead, the church leaders are working on cultivating an environment where evangelism becomes a continuous and integral part of church members’ daily life. Their recent evangelistic series, The Evidence, held in August, highlighted this new perspective—one focused on community, shared experiences, and building lasting connections.
The motivation behind The Evidence series was twofold: to reach individuals seeking meaning with the Gospel and to shift the church from a passive stance to one that embraces a lifestyle of consistent outreach.
The series primarily targeted young married couples—people balancing family life, careers, and the search for meaning. Dr Anthony Kent, the guest speaker, presented compelling evidence for the Bible, Jesus, Christianity, and faith in a way that resonated with modern life. Rather than focusing solely on religious doctrine, the presentations addressed deeper, more relatable questions about happiness, purpose, and well-being, demonstrating that faith-based discussions need not be confined to abstract theology. Instead, they can touch on the real challenges and decisions people face every day, making them relevant and accessible in today’s context.
Despite logistical challenges—such as a limited planning window and the event taking place during the busy summer period—the turnout exceeded expectations. The hall was filled to capacity on Saturday, with many attendees being first-time visitors.
A particularly memorable moment occurred after Saturday’s presentation, when several attendees openly discussed how the event had impacted them. Five people even expressed a desire to start Bible studies, marking a significant step toward the church’s goal of ongoing community outreach and personal engagement.
The success of The Evidence inspired further outreach events, including an International Day at Paisley Church and a Health Expo at Faifley Church.
This shift in perspective—from seeing evangelism as merely religious outreach to viewing it as an opportunity to create spaces for meaningful conversations and relationships—has re-energised many church members. Evangelism, in this sense, becomes more than just a call to faith; it serves as a platform for people to come together, ask important life questions, support one another, and build deeper connections.
