Training on Lifestyle Evangelism in the New Age capital
Albuquerque, New Mexico
John Naisbitt: "In turbulent times, in times of great change, people head for the two extremes: fundamentalism and personal, spiritual experience...With no membership lists or even a coherent philosophy or dogma, it is difficult to define or measure the unorganized New Age movement.”
Albuquerque and nearby Santa Fe form one of the central hubs of New Age in the US. The challenges and spiritual darkness is great. So when Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque approach me about training their neighborhood leaders in evangelism the challenge was great. We trained some 25 leaders in the following principles. They are makinga significant impact in the Kingdom in one of the most difficult places for the gospel.
First – What is New Age?
New Age is a compilation of metaphysical, Eastern-influenced thought systems. These thought systems unite theology, nature, and philosophy. This movement centers on religious tolerance and moral diversity.
This Age is expected to bring in peace and enlightenment, as well as reunite humans with "god." New Age doctrine says that humans are currently estranged from god due to a lack of insight concerning god's real nature and reality. In New Age understanding, mankind is central. Humans are considered divine, co-creators, and the ultimate hope for the future of the world.
Although New Age is generally tolerant of almost any world religion or philosophy, it is opposed to the "narrow-mindedness" of Christianity that teaches Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal salvation. New Age philosophy is complicated to define because there is no centralized hierarchy, doctrine, or membership. At its foundation, the New Age movement is a religious system with two main doctrines: evolutionary godhood and global unity.
Lifestyle Evangelism in a New Age World.
- Darkness and Warfare -- The Fight
Unbelievers live in a state of total spiritual blindness and imprisonment. Reaching the lost is a spiritual war for the souls of men. We tend to live in a Christian Bubble. Yet we are called to go into the darkness. The lost are not the enemy, they are spiritual POW’s
- Light and Victory -- God’s Heart
WHY? Motivation – Love / WHAT? Shifting the Paradigm – Hope / HOW? Taking a Step - Faith
- Three Fields: Our Heart / Prayer
3 Fields: Live - Work – Play: Common Ground Acts 17:28 (live, move, and have our being) – lifestyle. Relationships are key to living among the Lost – Establish Common Ground
John1:4,6 “In Christ is life and the life is the light of men.”. He is the life and this life in us is a light to others. Unbelievers live in a state of total spiritual blindness and imprisonment – it is our responsibility to bring the light of Christ into their darkness. Prayer is the first action step of the heart in this partnership between God and man.
- Three Stories
Their Story – Ask questions, Listen, Connect
Your Story – Share your story of faith making connections where possible. God’s Story – the Gospel
- PROCESS - Evangelism is a process, not an event. Evangelism: prepare the soil, sow the seed, cultivate the planted soil, and reaping the harvest.
- POWER - God’s Power and Promise
Power – the power in evangelism comes from Christ working, drawing, and speaking thru us
Promise: God desires all men to saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
BW
