in samaria witnessing in western society

In SamariaIn SamariaWitnessing In Western Society Witnessing In Western Society

The Work Of Our Church In The WestThe Work Of Our Church In The West

04/20/2304/20/23 www.suscopts.orgwww.suscopts.org 22

Evangelism In The WestEvangelism In The West

Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded the Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded the church to evangelize, when He said “Go into church to evangelize, when He said “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all the world and preach the gospel to every every creaturecreature” (Mark 16:15).” (Mark 16:15).

The Church has a mission toward every The Church has a mission toward every person in the whole world.person in the whole world.

The People can be classified into:The People can be classified into:- Believers- Believers - Non Believers- Non Believers



The believers are classified into:The believers are classified into:- Inside the ChurchInside the Church - Outside the Church- Outside the Church

So any person in the world is either:So any person in the world is either:– Believer inside the churchBeliever inside the church– Believer outside the churchBeliever outside the church– Non BelieverNon Believer

The Church has responsibility toward these The Church has responsibility toward these three groups.three groups.



The ministry of the church toward the The ministry of the church toward the believers inside the church is called believers inside the church is called “Spiritual Care”“Spiritual Care”

The ministry of the Church toward the The ministry of the Church toward the believers outside the Church is called believers outside the Church is called “Ministry of the Lost Sheep”“Ministry of the Lost Sheep”

The Ministry of the Church toward the non The Ministry of the Church toward the non believers is called “Evangelism”believers is called “Evangelism”



Spiritual Care:Spiritual Care:– Preventive Ministry “to protect them from going Preventive Ministry “to protect them from going

astray”astray”– Pastoral Care “to promote their spiritual growth”Pastoral Care “to promote their spiritual growth”

Lost Sheep:Lost Sheep:– Searching and seeking after the lost sheepSearching and seeking after the lost sheep– Healing and recovery ministryHealing and recovery ministry

EvangelismEvangelism– Giving away your faithGiving away your faith– Planting and grafting ministry.Planting and grafting ministry.



The holy book of Revelation records that The holy book of Revelation records that there will be people from every part of the there will be people from every part of the world before the throne of Godworld before the throne of God

““After these things I looked, and behold, a After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Rev 7:9).branches in their hands” (Rev 7:9).



We need to ask an important question for our We need to ask an important question for our churches in the West: churches in the West:

Is our church in the West a church of emigrants Is our church in the West a church of emigrants or a church of citizens?or a church of citizens?

The growth of our churches in the West is The growth of our churches in the West is mainly because immigration and not because mainly because immigration and not because evangelism.evangelism.

This means if the movement of immigration This means if the movement of immigration stops, the growth of our churches will stop too.stops, the growth of our churches will stop too.



There is a real spiritual thirst for the Truth There is a real spiritual thirst for the Truth and there are good fields waiting for our and there are good fields waiting for our evangelism.evangelism.

The Church Canons teaches us that any The Church Canons teaches us that any bishop is ordained for every person in the bishop is ordained for every person in the diocese and not for the Christians only.diocese and not for the Christians only.

So what do we need to Evangelize in the So what do we need to Evangelize in the Western Countries?Western Countries?



The priests cannot do these three ministries by The priests cannot do these three ministries by themselves.themselves.

There is a need for full-time devoted servants.There is a need for full-time devoted servants. Or at least we need to encourage youth to devote Or at least we need to encourage youth to devote

one year after graduation to serve in evangelism.one year after graduation to serve in evangelism. We need to prepare our churches for the We need to prepare our churches for the

evangelism.evangelism. Should the Coptic Church in the West become an Should the Coptic Church in the West become an

Egyptian church or a western church or a church Egyptian church or a western church or a church that integrates both cultures).that integrates both cultures).



We need to encourage our congregations to We need to encourage our congregations to welcome the converts and give them the feeling of welcome the converts and give them the feeling of belonging and show them love and care (establish belonging and show them love and care (establish special committees to welcome them).special committees to welcome them).

Promote an integrated culture of readiness to Promote an integrated culture of readiness to receive converts through:receive converts through:– English announcementsEnglish announcements– CleannessCleanness– Discipline, organization, and order.Discipline, organization, and order.



– Quietness in our churches.Quietness in our churches.– Why don’t we restore the role of the sub-Why don’t we restore the role of the sub-

deacons?deacons?– Also it is very important to observe the good Also it is very important to observe the good

performance in singing of hymns; and prepare performance in singing of hymns; and prepare papers for the hymns (for example, prepare papers for the hymns (for example, prepare papers for the hymns of the Holy Pascha and papers for the hymns of the Holy Pascha and the Lectionary).the Lectionary).

– Be on time.Be on time.



Using English language is very essential. “All of Using English language is very essential. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability (Acts 2:4).ability (Acts 2:4).

The priests and servants can improve our The priests and servants can improve our command of the language by taking courses.command of the language by taking courses.

if I do not know the meaning of the language, I if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a shall be a foreignerforeigner to the speaker and the to the speaker and the speaker a speaker a foreignerforeigner to me (1Cor 14:11). to me (1Cor 14:11).



Those who left their churches are already Those who left their churches are already suffering from foreignness. suffering from foreignness.

Using their language will help in overcoming Using their language will help in overcoming this problem.this problem.

Start strong Bible study meetings that Start strong Bible study meetings that explain the Orthodoxy based on the explain the Orthodoxy based on the teaching of the Holy Bible.teaching of the Holy Bible.

Priests and servants need to put efforts in Priests and servants need to put efforts in preparing the sermons and Bible Studies.preparing the sermons and Bible Studies.



Prepare packets to give to the converts to include:Prepare packets to give to the converts to include:– Salvation in the Orthodox Concept by H.H. Pope Salvation in the Orthodox Concept by H.H. Pope

ShenoudaShenouda– Comparative Theology by H.H. Pope ShenoudaComparative Theology by H.H. Pope Shenouda– How to benefit from the Divine Liturgy by Bishop How to benefit from the Divine Liturgy by Bishop

MetaousMetaous– Introduction to the Orthodox Church by Fr. Tadros Introduction to the Orthodox Church by Fr. Tadros

MalatyMalaty– Agpyea and Liturgy BookAgpyea and Liturgy Book– An English Divine Liturgy on CD or tapes.An English Divine Liturgy on CD or tapes.



Classes for preparations of evangelists Classes for preparations of evangelists (evangelism servants).(evangelism servants).

Prepare a curriculum for these classes that Prepare a curriculum for these classes that aims at implanting the love of evangelism in aims at implanting the love of evangelism in their hearts.their hearts.

Train them in the different services of Train them in the different services of evangelism: Greeting Ministry, visitations, evangelism: Greeting Ministry, visitations, and invitations.and invitations.



Prepare brochures about the Orthodox Prepare brochures about the Orthodox Church to distribute to the visitors.Church to distribute to the visitors.

Hold evangelism conferences that install Hold evangelism conferences that install the awareness of evangelism among adults the awareness of evangelism among adults and youth of our church.and youth of our church.

Translate all ritual books of the church and Translate all ritual books of the church and produce them in high quality printing.produce them in high quality printing.

Translate the important books, such as the Translate the important books, such as the books of H. H. Pope Shenouda.books of H. H. Pope Shenouda.



Let the new converts share and participate in the Let the new converts share and participate in the services and activities of the church (the Board of services and activities of the church (the Board of Deacon, Sunday School, …etc).Deacon, Sunday School, …etc).

Use the Internet in the evangelism ministry.Use the Internet in the evangelism ministry. The Internet evangelizes the church to the entire The Internet evangelizes the church to the entire

world so we should update it regularly and watch world so we should update it regularly and watch carefully the materials that are posted since the carefully the materials that are posted since the whole world will make its impression about the whole world will make its impression about the church from what we present on the Internet.church from what we present on the Internet.



We need to study about evangelism in the early We need to study about evangelism in the early church and the thoughts of the early church church and the thoughts of the early church fathers regarding this ministry since they were fathers regarding this ministry since they were able to spread Christianity into the whole world in able to spread Christianity into the whole world in short time and with few resources.short time and with few resources.

Teaching a course about missions in all Teaching a course about missions in all theological institutes.theological institutes.

The importance of visitations to the catechumens The importance of visitations to the catechumens and the converts.and the converts.

Using the media more effectively in the field of Using the media more effectively in the field of Evangelism.Evangelism.


How To Witness In The WestHow To Witness In The West

Let us follow the example of the Lord Let us follow the example of the Lord especially in His meeting with the Samaritan especially in His meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar.woman at the well in Sychar.

Contact others socially:Contact others socially:– We must have social contact with others first We must have social contact with others first

(the Samaritan woman, the Samaritans, Levi, (the Samaritan woman, the Samaritans, Levi, Zacchaeus).Zacchaeus).

– Those who are well have no need of a Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Luka 5:31)physician, but those who are sick (Luka 5:31)



Establish common ground:Establish common ground:– We must take the time to establish common We must take the time to establish common

ground as a bridge for communication.ground as a bridge for communication.– The Lord’s request for a drink demolished The Lord’s request for a drink demolished

social, religious, and racial-political barriers.social, religious, and racial-political barriers.– As a man He spoke to her, a woman.As a man He spoke to her, a woman.– As a Rabbi He spoke to her, an immoral As a Rabbi He spoke to her, an immoral

woman.woman.– As a Jew He spoke to her, a Samaritan.As a Jew He spoke to her, a Samaritan.– For her, His request was a treasured For her, His request was a treasured

compliment.compliment.



– We need to build bridges with others first We need to build bridges with others first

– The Lord did all this by means of The Lord did all this by means of questions (the lawyer, rich man).questions (the lawyer, rich man).

– Use questions to express genuine interest Use questions to express genuine interest in people and to learn more about them.in people and to learn more about them.

– You need to listen long enough to be You need to listen long enough to be sensitive to where they were in their sensitive to where they were in their spiritual journey.spiritual journey.



Arouse interest:Arouse interest:– The Lord aroused her interest by speaking The Lord aroused her interest by speaking

about the living water.about the living water.– In the same way we can turn small events in our In the same way we can turn small events in our

relationships to a conversation about spiritual relationships to a conversation about spiritual things.things.

– We will discover there are people who are We will discover there are people who are interested in spiritual reality; we don’t have to interested in spiritual reality; we don’t have to force ourselves on those who are not interested.force ourselves on those who are not interested.

– In our witnessing we ought to be relaxed in our In our witnessing we ought to be relaxed in our tone of voice and demeanor.tone of voice and demeanor.



Get the ball rolling:Get the ball rolling:– The Lord kept the ball rolling by making a The Lord kept the ball rolling by making a

statement that precipitated a question from her. statement that precipitated a question from her. – The statement related to her primary needs and The statement related to her primary needs and

at the same time suggested His ability and at the same time suggested His ability and willingness to meet these needs (John 4:10-11).willingness to meet these needs (John 4:10-11).

– You can ask questions like (by the way, are you You can ask questions like (by the way, are you interested in spiritual things? What do you think interested in spiritual things? What do you think a real Christian is?a real Christian is?



– You need to explain that the real Christian You need to explain that the real Christian relate to God as a living person. This relation relate to God as a living person. This relation satisfy all their needs of joy, happiness, and satisfy all their needs of joy, happiness, and peace.peace.

– Another means of getting the ball rolling is to be Another means of getting the ball rolling is to be alert for opportunities to share bible verses and alert for opportunities to share bible verses and some lived spiritual experiences from the life of some lived spiritual experiences from the life of the saints or others (keep the confidentiality).the saints or others (keep the confidentiality).

– Be careful in sharing your own experience (St. Be careful in sharing your own experience (St. Paul).Paul).



– There are passages in people’s lives that draw There are passages in people’s lives that draw their attention to religion and give us wide open their attention to religion and give us wide open opportunities to get the ball rolling and bring up opportunities to get the ball rolling and bring up the need for God.the need for God.

– For students, academic failure, concern about For students, academic failure, concern about career choices, or disappointment in love.career choices, or disappointment in love.

– For young couples, the birth of a first child.For young couples, the birth of a first child.– As families grow, teen age problems, physical As families grow, teen age problems, physical

problems, emotional turmoil, and financial problems, emotional turmoil, and financial reverses.reverses.



– In a discussion about day’s headlines, the latest world In a discussion about day’s headlines, the latest world crisis or some other current event, you may ask “what crisis or some other current event, you may ask “what do you think is wrong with the world?”do you think is wrong with the world?”

– Then you may point out the Lord’s diagnosis of Then you may point out the Lord’s diagnosis of alienated human nature in Mark 7:21-23 “21for from alienated human nature in Mark 7:21-23 “21for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man”come from within, and defile the man”

– Then speak about the new man.Then speak about the new man.



– Books and booklets on provocative subjects (e.g. Books and booklets on provocative subjects (e.g. rearing children, anger) provide another possibility rearing children, anger) provide another possibility for conversation on spiritual matters.for conversation on spiritual matters.

– You can invite them to a small group Bible study in You can invite them to a small group Bible study in church.church.

– The atmosphere in this group studies should not The atmosphere in this group studies should not make the beginners feel either like targets or make the beginners feel either like targets or children who know nothing.children who know nothing.

– Also you need to have a definite plan for the subject Also you need to have a definite plan for the subject matter to be studied including specific time frame.matter to be studied including specific time frame.



– Any tendency to be apologetic about our faith is Any tendency to be apologetic about our faith is easily detected.easily detected.

– When we assume people lack interest, we tend When we assume people lack interest, we tend to defeat ourselves before we start.to defeat ourselves before we start.

– If we assume interest we are more likely to get If we assume interest we are more likely to get a positive response.a positive response.

– As we gain in quiet confidence, the H.S. will As we gain in quiet confidence, the H.S. will lead us to interested people.lead us to interested people.

– Each successful encounter will lead us to Each successful encounter will lead us to greater faith and confidence for the next one.greater faith and confidence for the next one.



Don’t go too far:Don’t go too far:– Give people only as much of the message as Give people only as much of the message as

they are ready for without condemning them they are ready for without condemning them (John 4:13-19).(John 4:13-19).

– In your explanation of the Christian faith, start by In your explanation of the Christian faith, start by finding out what basic things you can agree on finding out what basic things you can agree on (do they believe in God, Jesus, the Bible?).(do they believe in God, Jesus, the Bible?).

– Jew – greater than Jacob – prophet – the Jew – greater than Jacob – prophet – the Messiah.Messiah.

– Go slowly while praying to be guided by the H.S.Go slowly while praying to be guided by the H.S.



Don’t condemn:Don’t condemn:– The Lord did not condemn her, her sin itself The Lord did not condemn her, her sin itself

condemned her.condemned her.– The Lord didn’t bypass the question about her The Lord didn’t bypass the question about her

husbands, but He did no finger-pointing in husbands, but He did no finger-pointing in judgment.judgment.

– Our message is never that we are good and Our message is never that we are good and moral and we want everyone else to be good moral and we want everyone else to be good like us.like us.

– Our message is we need others to experience Our message is we need others to experience the same forgiveness that we are experiencing.the same forgiveness that we are experiencing.



Stick with the main issue:Stick with the main issue:– Our Lord did not allow any secondary questions Our Lord did not allow any secondary questions

to sidetrack him from the main issue.to sidetrack him from the main issue.– When she asked where to worship, He shifted When she asked where to worship, He shifted

the answer from where to how.the answer from where to how.– Usually you will be asked about how many Usually you will be asked about how many

hypocrites in the church, contradictions in the hypocrites in the church, contradictions in the Bible, who will go to heaven and who will go to Bible, who will go to heaven and who will go to hell…etc. Don’t be deceived by these questions.hell…etc. Don’t be deceived by these questions.



Confront the person directly:Confront the person directly:– The Lord said to her “I Who speak to you am The Lord said to her “I Who speak to you am

He”He”– We need finally to bring others into a direct We need finally to bring others into a direct

confrontation with the Lord so that they realize confrontation with the Lord so that they realize their personal responsibility to decide for or their personal responsibility to decide for or against Him.against Him.

– You may ask the person about his relationship You may ask the person about his relationship with the Lord and the Church (His body) and with the Lord and the Church (His body) and how real it is?how real it is?


ConclusionConclusion

There are eight principles:There are eight principles:– Meet and know others personally.Meet and know others personally.– Establish a mutual interest in conversation.Establish a mutual interest in conversation.– Arouse a person’s interest by life and word.Arouse a person’s interest by life and word.– Get the ball rollingGet the ball rolling– Gear explanations to people’s receptiveness and Gear explanations to people’s receptiveness and

readiness for more.readiness for more.– Accept and don’t condemn.Accept and don’t condemn.– Stay on trackStay on track– Persevere to the destinationPersevere to the destination

in samaria witnessing in western society

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egyptian church

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