Reaching Out to a Confused World

Why the Confusion? The increase of organized religion: 1890 – 143 religious denominations listed The 2001 edition of Barrett's World Christian Encyclopedia , identifies 10,000 distinct religions, of which 150 have 1 million or more followers. Within Christianity (counted as just one religion), 33,830 different denominations are counted. ________ are listed as religious groups in the Yellow Pages.

The increase of organized religion:

1890 – 143 religious denominations listed

The 2001 edition of Barrett's World Christian Encyclopedia , identifies 10,000 distinct religions, of which 150 have 1 million or more followers. Within Christianity (counted as just one religion), 33,830 different denominations are counted.

________ are listed as religious groups in the Yellow Pages.

How do we Reach a Confused World? Create opportunities to present the truth: Open, public service times Promote teaching opportunities (Bible classes) Greater, increase public teaching Mailings, cards, emails, newsletters…

Create opportunities to present the truth:

Open, public service times

Promote teaching opportunities (Bible classes)

Greater, increase public teaching

Mailings, cards, emails, newsletters…

What is the Confusion about? The Truth Most religious groups claim the truth. Great confusions on teachings Healings, music, ways of worship, time of communion, terms of salvation, etc…

The Truth

Most religious groups claim the truth.

Great confusions on teachings

Healings, music, ways of worship, time of communion, terms of salvation, etc…

How do we Encounter the Confusion? Pro-active Passive-active  We need both…   Both help to achieve our purpose…   But certain things can only reach so far… 

Pro-active

Passive-active

 We need both… 

 Both help to achieve our purpose… 

 But certain things can only reach so far… 

How do we Encounter the Confusion? Pro-active More to come… Passive-active Ads placed in papers, yellow pages, website, etc. We place things so people call us (they must be actively pursueing a goal)

Pro-active

More to come…

Passive-active

Ads placed in papers, yellow pages, website, etc.

We place things so people call us (they must be actively pursueing a goal)

Pro-Active like Paul Paul was pro-active in discussing religion in public places. Paul used current events; i.e - noteable objects to reach his modern world. The object was worldly and transformed into a spiritual message.

Paul was pro-active in discussing religion in public places.

Paul used current events; i.e - noteable objects to reach his modern world.

The object was worldly and transformed into a spiritual message.

The Results of Dealing with Confusion Positive Results: People believed The gospel proclaimed The seed was planted Negative Results: People mocked People missed Christ

Positive Results:

People believed

The gospel proclaimed

The seed was planted

Negative Results:

People mocked

People missed Christ