Date of Award

11-2014

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Jared Roth

Second Advisor

Bill Gibson

Third Advisor

Linda Clare

Abstract

Generational and cultural diversity within twenty-first century society has created great challenges to both professional clergy and laypersons in communicating the gospel. In addition, a postmodern, post-Christian culture has created a hostile environment for those sharing the message of Christ using the formulaic, propositional evangelism methods of the Twentieth century. Section One of this dissertation will elaborate on the problem. Section Two discusses why these methods, written primarily for a period of time when Judeo-Christian absolutes and regard for the sacred were staples in society, are increasingly ineffective. As the church struggles with a steady decline in its membership, the loss of younger generations and a failure to evangelize unprecedented numbers of immigrants, leaders must develop a theology of evangelism which is not generationally and culturally restrictive and which allows them to address the following question: How might the church more effectively communicate the gospel to multiple generations and cultures in the Twenty-First century? Section Three explores the use of storytelling as a means of effectively communicating the gospel in Twenty-First century contexts including multiple generations, ethnicities and cultures, as one possible answer. The purpose of this section is to show that a clearer, more relevant presentation of the gospel can be accomplished through the use of image, metaphor and narrative. The Scriptural foundation for this claim is Matthew’s commentary on the preaching and teaching of Jesus: “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.”

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