Evangelism ideas

I know there are some practical ways that the Church can reach out to college students. Honeslty, this is a critical time in people's lives where they set a trajectory for the rest of their lives and begin a journey out into the world. Being in college, I know that many many of us are lost spiritually and are turning to self destructive habits. Please take time to consider reaching out to the upcoming generation: 1. Provide opportunities for students to lead in the Church. (Lead children's Bible Study's, organize charitable events, assist the elderly in their churches, even supplying pet sitting opportunities) 2. Invite a college student into your home/ out to eat.               Getting off campus can provide an incredible ministry to reduce stress and soak in the love a family can only offer. Plus free home-made food? Nothing can beat that! 3. Visit a college and provide a basic need.            Many college students need: academic help, laundry detergent, oil changes, carwashes. You could also put out a prayer box and allow students to annonymously write prayers and enter them into the box. Students may open up to you during this time. You could also bring food and coffee to campus during finals week. 4.  Exercise/go hiking/play a sport with a student           This actually  meets a practical need bellieve it or not. It can also be very entertaining for all participants.   *** Not many people from my church invited me out to eat, made a bracelet for me (a little girl), or would sit and listen to me think out my career ideas. All it took awas one to let me know that I was a part of a loving community. It was a great reminder of Christ's love for me. These small actions really do make a difference! 

CHRIST IS RISEN!   These are just some of my own ideas and I have not practised all of them. Those which have been practiced have been to varying success.   First of all, at least here in the UK where many small communion, schismatic, and 'cultic' forms of Christianity exist in every town, village, and city, one has to be very careful not to allow the Orthodox church to be assumed into the same assumed category by the public. Cold calling does not work.     Okay, now some things I have done: 1) Childrens' craft events. This year for Christmas we had a childrens' "make your own lantern and party" day. It was a hit, of course, where there are children, there are parents. Also in the Christmas period (practically speaking), mothers may wish to have some time with their husbands away from the children....just a little rest, honestly 2) Cultural eventsNaturally this requires exploring the natural talents inherant in the congregation. It does not have to be related to the church in any way. We did a 'magic of the musicals' evening, staged in the nave of the hall with songs sung by semi-professional singers. Coupled with a raffle and dinner, it brought people into the church who would never consider crossing the threshold otherwise. It is all about breaking pre-conceptions. 3) Advertisement in local paperTried this round Christmas and Easter. No apparent success.Parish website is a far better platform for getting the word out (and up to date).Use social media such as Twitter and Facebook....even if you have no intention to use it yourself, it is a good way of reaching out to the millions that do. Grant members of the parish access to admin rights. Never leave it all to one person!  4) Public processions.These certainly get the church recognised, but I am uncertain how the faith is passed on to the general person on the street who sees a group of men in glittery dresses holding random objects and singing strange melodies. Even still, the counter-cultural presence of the church is a great witness to it.     One must always be careful never to compromise the faith, and though it may be tempting to take dramatic action to increase numbers, it is always important to remember the special things which set the Orthodox church apart from the thousands of other "options" in the 'religious marketplace'. The timelessness of worship, faith, and practice; the embrace of the community to receive the sinner and to heal the sin; the personal interest of the priest (god-parents/greater church community) with the spiritual development of the convert.   I hope, though perhaps in vain, that something of the above is useful.     ~Chris    

CHRIST IS RISEN!   These are just some of my own ideas and I have not practised all of them. Those which have been practiced have been to varying success.   First of all, at least here in the UK where many small communion, schismatic, and 'cultic' forms of Christianity exist in every town, village, and city, one has to be very careful not to allow the Orthodox church to be assumed into the same assumed category by the public. Cold calling does not work.     Okay, now some things I have done: 1) Childrens' craft events. This year for Christmas we had a childrens' "make your own lantern and party" day. It was a hit, of course, where there are children, there are parents. Also in the Christmas period (practically speaking), mothers may wish to have some time with their husbands away from the children....just a little rest, honestly 2) Cultural eventsNaturally this requires exploring the natural talents inherant in the congregation. It does not have to be related to the church in any way. We did a 'magic of the musicals' evening, staged in the nave of the hall with songs sung by semi-professional singers. Coupled with a raffle and dinner, it brought people into the church who would never consider crossing the threshold otherwise. It is all about breaking pre-conceptions. 3) Advertisement in local paperTried this round Christmas and Easter. No apparent success.Parish website is a far better platform for getting the word out (and up to date).Use social media such as Twitter and Facebook....even if you have no intention to use it yourself, it is a good way of reaching out to the millions that do. Grant members of the parish access to admin rights. Never leave it all to one person!  4) Public processions.These certainly get the church recognised, but I am uncertain how the faith is passed on to the general person on the street who sees a group of men in glittery dresses holding random objects and singing strange melodies. Even still, the counter-cultural presence of the church is a great witness to it.     One must always be careful never to compromise the faith, and though it may be tempting to take dramatic action to increase numbers, it is always important to remember the special things which set the Orthodox church apart from the thousands of other "options" in the 'religious marketplace'. The timelessness of worship, faith, and practice; the embrace of the community to receive the sinner and to heal the sin; the personal interest of the priest (god-parents/greater church community) with the spiritual development of the convert.   I hope, though perhaps in vain, that something of the above is useful.     ~Chris    

CHRIST IS RISEN!   These are just some of my own ideas and I have not practised all of them. Those which have been practiced have been to varying success.   First of all, at least here in the UK where many small communion, schismatic, and 'cultic' forms of Christianity exist in every town, village, and city, one has to be very careful not to allow the Orthodox church to be assumed into the same assumed category by the public. Cold calling does not work.     Okay, now some things I have done: 1) Childrens' craft events. This year for Christmas we had a childrens' "make your own lantern and party" day. It was a hit, of course, where there are children, there are parents. Also in the Christmas period (practically speaking), mothers may wish to have some time with their husbands away from the children....just a little rest, honestly 2) Cultural eventsNaturally this requires exploring the natural talents inherant in the congregation. It does not have to be related to the church in any way. We did a 'magic of the musicals' evening, staged in the nave of the hall with songs sung by semi-professional singers. Coupled with a raffle and dinner, it brought people into the church who would never consider crossing the threshold otherwise. It is all about breaking pre-conceptions. 3) Advertisement in local paperTried this round Christmas and Easter. No apparent success.Parish website is a far better platform for getting the word out (and up to date).Use social media such as Twitter and Facebook....even if you have no intention to use it yourself, it is a good way of reaching out to the millions that do. Grant members of the parish access to admin rights. Never leave it all to one person!  4) Public processions.These certainly get the church recognised, but I am uncertain how the faith is passed on to the general person on the street who sees a group of men in glittery dresses holding random objects and singing strange melodies. Even still, the counter-cultural presence of the church is a great witness to it.     One must always be careful never to compromise the faith, and though it may be tempting to take dramatic action to increase numbers, it is always important to remember the special things which set the Orthodox church apart from the thousands of other "options" in the 'religious marketplace'. The timelessness of worship, faith, and practice; the embrace of the community to receive the sinner and to heal the sin; the personal interest of the priest (god-parents/greater church community) with the spiritual development of the convert.   I hope, though perhaps in vain, that something of the above is useful.     ~Chris