Evangelism 101

Robert Webber, in his book Ancient-Future Faith, outlines the steps of evangelism in the early church. The Seeker, where a person was presented to the church for initial instruction on the demands on Christian faith. Next, the Hearer, a period of time that lasted three years, of instruction and orthodoxy followed. Thirdly, the Kneeler, was a time of six and half weeks, coinciding with Lent, that led to baptism on Easter Sunday. Lastly, the Faithful was one who now was a full member of the community to bring about the Kingdom.

He than makes an interesting suggestion. Starting at Pentecost and ending with Advent, challenge the church to bring about seekers. Use the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons to teach the hearer. Lent would prepare the kneeler for their upcoming baptism on Easter.

"Once people have been through the yearly cycle, they can progress once again, but on a deeper level. While a seeker may be introduced to Christianity 101, the second year teaching can be developed that is Christianity 102, and so on. In this model everyone is taking a similar journey, but within different levels of knowledge and intensity."

How powerful could Easter become, if the entire church could personally identify with the resurrection of Jesus as the beginning of their own journey?