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Bridge Events that Reach Secular People
Stages of Adoption
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Christian Witness (Must be done in order.) |
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Bridges Events Strategies to reach the secular person |
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Stages Of Adoption What is going on in the life of the pre-Christian |
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Characteristics of the pre-Christian at each stage |
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1. Reach: Go to their turf; don't require them to come to yours. |
• Conduct felt-need seminars. • Ministries of instruction. • Engage in meaningful dialogue. • Provide opportunities to meet credible Christians |
1. Awareness: Pre-Christians become aware of Christianity as more than an abstract idea as seen in a person, group, or church. |
Indifferent |
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| 2. Minister: Meet their felt needs, hurts, dreams, fears, and doubts. |
• Address doubts and fears. • Provide opportunities to build meaningful relationships. • Provide recovery and support groups for life-controlling bondages. • Provide ministries that meet needs. • Offer culturally appropriate forms of ministry. |
2. Relevance: Pre-Christians perceive the relevance of Christianity through the meeting of a need in their life, family, or group. |
Inspect |
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| 3. Teach: Communicate truth in principle and lifestyle, model true Christianity. |
• Engage in meaningful dialogue. • Address their doubts and fears. • Model Christian lifestyle. |
3. Interest: Pre-Christians develop a growing interest expressed through questions, reading, study, and attendance at church groups or activities. |
Interested |
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| 4. Fellowship: Include them in relationships with other believers. |
• Provide opportunities to meet credible Christians. • Provide opportunities to build meaningful relationships. |
4. Trial: Pre-Christians begin to test and imagine what life would be like if they become Christians. |
Investigate |
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| 5. Evangelize: Share the gospel and the plan of salvation. |
• Identify and reach receptive people. • Actively witness and share the gospel. • Give altar calls. • Provide Bible studies |
5. Adoption: Pre-Christians consciously accept Christ as Savior, publicly expresses that commitment through water baptism and church membership |
Involved |
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| 6. Nurture: Strengthen their faith through teaching and encouragement. |
• Provide new convert mentoring. • Provide new convert Bible studies. • Provide opportunities to development meaningful friendships. • Provide opportunity to contribute in ministry role or task. |
6. Reinforcement: following commitment is a time of uncertainty and ambiguity. Encouragement and reinforcement is needed to affirm them in their new life. |
Indefinite |
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