3.6 - future of the church

• what is a missionary?

  a person sent by the church into an area to bring more people into the christian church
• what is evangelical work?

  proclaiming the message of christianity with the aim of converting people to christianity
• why do christians carry out missionary and evangelical work?

  • convert people to christianity
  • last commandment of jesus - his 'great commission'
• alpha course

  • aims to introduce non-churchgoers to the basis of christian faith through a series of talks and discussions
  • describes itself as an opportunity to explore the meaning of life
• hope

  • provides resources and aid for evangelisation in local communities
• scripture union

  • partnership with individuals and churches to use the bible to inspire young people and adults to come to know god
  • uses social media
  • brings gospel to those outside of the church, working in schools, youth camps, etc
• pontifical council for promotion of new evangelism

  • created by pope benedict to revive christianity in europe
  • centered on local catholic cathedrals
• youth for christ

  • provides resources for churches and schools and runs residentials
• urban saints

  • youth and children's groupd
  • organise events, holidays, missionary trips and training courses abroad
• evangelicals

  • dedicated to global evangelism
  • more co-operation among churches when spreading message
• catholics

  • provide catechal programs, support for monks and nuns, build chapels, churches, orphanages and schools
  • in chage of mission dioceses of catholic churc
• importance of evangelical work to evangelicals/conservatives

  • great commission of jesus told them to preach message
  • share faith with others out of love for them
  • non-christians can only have sins forgiven by becoming christian
  • question if people outside of faith can go to heaven
  • concerned about decline in religion
• importance of missionary and evangelical work to liberals

  no longer important

  • form of prejudice and discrimination forcing others with other religions to convert
  • may be seen as new forms of colonisation in less developed countries
  • hard to 'love thy neighbour' if telling them their religion is wrong