Wondering Questions
The goal of wondering questions is to open a dialogue in which you can learn about others and they about you. They aren’t a springboard for a Gospel presentation; they’re a springboard for getting to know someone on a deeper level, building trust, and demonstrating respectfulness and grace.

Life Lessons
I’ve made it my lifelong goal to learn from others; what the greatest lesson you’ve learned thus far in your life’s journey?
Tell me about your greatest success and your greatest failure along the way.
Would you share the greatest piece of wisdom ever passed on to you?

Life Goals/Career
What prompted you to pursue your career?
What do you like most about what you do; how about the least?
Do you see what you’re doing as a lifetime career or a stepping stone to something else?

World Events
How did 9/11 affect your view of God and the world?

Good vs Evil
Have you ever sensed the presence of evil?
Have you ever sensed the presence of God?
Have you had any major turning points in life?

Belief
What do you find the most difficult pill to swallow concerning belief in God?
Why do you think so many other people find it difficult to come to a belief in God?

Marriage or Dating
How did you meet your spouse (or friend)?
What have you learned about yourself through marriage (or dating)?
What do you enjoy the most about marriage (or dating)? The least?

Dreams
What did you see yourself doing career-wise when you were eighteen?
What dreams have you let go of?
What dreams are you still hanging on to?

Major Influences
Who is the most impressive person you have ever met?
Has there been one book or movie that has greatly influenced you?
Besides your parents, who stands out as having had a major influence on you?

Counting Conversations, Not Conversions
Pastor Kirk Wulff
14 October 2007

Statistics
57% of evangelical Christians believe they have a personal responsibility to tell others.
94% over 18 are unlikely to respond to the Gospel as it is currently being presented.
90% of Americans believe in God but only 30% are in church on Sunday.

Seismic shifts in our civilization

Modernism
Dominated by development of science, math, rational thinking, analysis, industrialization.
Objective truth is a system of propositions laid like bricks and cemented by logic.
Individualism
Evangelism
Confrontational
Proof based
TELL people the good news

Post Modernism
There is more going on that the rational mind can explain? Open to supernatural.
No need for objective truth…..What’s true for you isn’t necessarily true for others.
Hostile toward any belief system that tries to impose its beliefs on others.
Peer driven, communal, feeling driven
Certainty is impossible
Evangelism:
Is it real for you? Is Christianity working for you?
Do you like me? Are you like me?
Are you normal?

Post-Christian
Have decided what Christianity is about and don’t want it
Huge trust issues with God, the church, and Christians reinforced in the news about priests molesting children, pastors preaching against homosexuality and then living a Jeckel and Hyde life style, pastors laundering money
Evangelism: we don’t start at 0 we start at a -5.

Research by Karen and Kathy

Conversation leads to Community, which leads to Conversion.
Modern world trusted experts. Post modern world does not.
The silent questions: Who are these people? Can I trust them? Do they just want my money?
Belong before you believe.

Look for your “Person of Peace”
Someone you connect with, have chemistry with.
Drop spiritual clues …..not a bait and switch thing.

The spiritual art of noticing.
The spiritual art of “small talk”…..we chat our way to change. Speeches are over rated.
The emotional on-ramp to deeper conversations. Are we normal?
The ministry of active listening. You can’t argue a post-modern into the kingdom you listen them in.

The Sent One: The Mission of Jesus
7 October 2007

Questions for reflection and discussion.

1. Have you done ministry to the poor, the captives, the blind or the oppressed? Explain? How did it affect you?

2. Shut down the tapes and open your ears. What is the “good news?” No Christian clichés or exact Biblical quotes allowed.

The Sent One: The Mission of Jesus
Pastor David Lenz
7 October 2007

Text: Luke 4: 14-30
“Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone……..and the scroll of the profit Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. Has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of th sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.”

First Sermons
Jesus first sermon:
Immediately follows 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil.
Jesus returned with the power of the Spirit.
Jesus was already famous. Great expectations.
The Sermon: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because has anointed me to bring good news to the poor...release to the captives….recovery of sight to the blind…..”
David’s first sermon:
David’s friend Mike’s first sermon:

What do the critics say of evangelicals?
Evangelicals make their faith too private.
Too privatistic and too individualistic.
“Me and my God! Me and my God! Me and my God! And miss the social implications.
Only questions that matter:
Am I saved?
Will I get to heaven?

“Please don’t hear what I am not saying.”
Not saying a personal relationship with Jesus is not important.
David stated that he is an evangelical.
Shut down the old tapes and open your ears.

The Depth of the Good News:
Preach Good News to the poor.
Proclaim freedom to the prisoner.
Recovery of sight to the blind.
Gospel of “release from sin” is not contradictory to “good news to the poor.”

How does the Gospel best get a hearing?
By words or by actions?
Not only proclaimed but enacted.

Statement from a co-worker to a parishioner:
“I am looking for a church where they don’t just think about themselves.”
Call to Action : Are the concerns of Jesus our concerns?