Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Lori Wagner, PhD

Second Advisor

Todd Seelau, DMin

Third Advisor

David Merwin

Abstract

Historical methods of evangelism are no longer working in North America. As religion declines among younger generations, Christians look at our methods and venture into a new way of living God’s good news in the world. Section One looks at the decline of evangelism’s effectiveness in North America. With an eye towards the healing of Jesus, the roots of evangelism are explored. Contrasted with these roots are the techniques that evolved after the legalization of Christianity under Constantine’s Empire. A domineering evangelism arrived in North America alongside of Christopher Columbus as a form of “power over” instead of as healing good news. Evangelism had become a bad news tool instead of a good news song. Section Two discusses two contemporary evangelism strategies; presentational evangelism and conversational evangelism. Each of these utilizes specific techniques to tell the story of Jesus to non-believers in order to elicit a conversion. This section outlines the techniques and recognizes the limitations of these strategies. Section Three offers the solution for a different evangelism; Nudge Evangelism. The solution lifts up the centrality of healing as a measurement and motivator for new believers. Compared to modern denominational Christianity, flat track roller derby is then highlighted as a group that shows healing and is growing within the same years as the church’s decline. Derby growth is especially evident with those under the age of 40, the group that has had the largest decrease in participation in religious life throughout the same years. To return to participating in the good news song, the Christian method of engagement needs to shift. To facilitate the church in making this shift a new curriculum, xii “God With/In: Heal the World. Sing the Good News.” has been created to help believers practice singing the good news exactly where they are among people they love.

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