More than two years ago I began seeking an opportunity to expose people in our diocese to a particularly exciting model for teaching scripture and sharing the gospel. The people who present this model live 4000 miles away and only once a year come to the states to present this stuff. We finally got on their calendar and are less than a month away from this opportunity. However, I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment by the fact that we are in a diocese that is too busy to make the most of opportunities and then some of the most amazing things pass us by. I could give examples, but I’d rather get to the point here. It does not help that the only time that we could have the presenters here is in a month when people are again too busy to notice.
The opportunity is to see (and have explained) a pattern for teaching the gospel of Mark and the book of Philippians. It is a pattern that translates to various ages, can be used with other books of the Bible as well, and naturally creates community among participants. It will be revealed in the Christianity Explored Conference on May 12 at Christ Church, Mount Pleasant.
All who participate in this conference will hear a clear presentation of the gospel, become more enthused to share it with others, and gain confidence in teaching God’s word. Why do I believe that? Because past participants have said it happens!
“The conference has increased our confidence in the handling of the Word of God and it has made the gospel clearer to people who weren’t as clear. It was a real eye-opener for many people. I can highly commend this training day.”
“Christianity Explored is an incredible evangelistic and relational tool. The conference is a wonderful time of practical training and an incredible time in God’s Word. And I would highly encourage people to attend a Christianity Explored conference if they have an opportunity.”
“The Christianity Explored conference is the most effective lay training event I have seen. Biblical, practical and compelling, the conference centered on Christ not method, equipped us with the word of God, and moved us forward to love Christ and his gospel and to share our faith to the glory of God.”
So, my conviction is that this will be of great benefit to you as a youth minister as well as all who teach Sunday School or lead Bible studies! We are seeking to raise up a Biblically literate generation and doing that requires training people to be great Bible teachers!
Even more, I am utterly convinced of the need in our churches to not only teach scripture effectively but to make evangelism a core value! By that I mean it becomes something that all people in the church are enthused and equipped to do. The Christianity Explored Conference is the right opportunity to get folks fired up for evangelism!
Now, I need your help!!! Can you register yourself and those who teach Sunday School and lead Bible studies for youth right away? Yes, that may mean twisting a few arms, but they will not regret making the sacrifice to come. Then, can you speak to your Rector and your director of Christian Education or Faith Formation immediately to make sure plenty of folks in your congregation know about this conference? I have been sending things to clergy and DCE’s and have spoken to them in various meetings, but we all know clergy – too busy for their own good. They need an internal prompting to get the word out to the appropriate folks. A bulletin insert, an email to teachers and leaders in the church, etc will go a long way, but a personal word from you will make the difference all the more. Trust me that this is worth doing! We need as many advanced registrations as possible to order the right number of conference books but people can register at the door. Registration is online at www.dioceseofsc.org. You can direct people who want more info to www.christianityexplored.com as well. People can call me with questions.
Thanks for taking the time to read this long post. I would like to promise you that I won’t bring it up again, but I cannot. The fact is, I am consumed by the notion that we need evangelists and Bible teachers in our churches ready for action. The world needs to hear the good news about Jesus!
By the way, if your church has Cursillo people in it… This is a great opportunity for folks to get serious about that phrase “make a friend, be a friend, lead a friend to Christ”. Tell them about the conference as well!
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