* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:A065
Title:Convening and Supporting Evangelists
Topic:Evangelism
Committee:12 - Evangelism
House of Initial Action:Deputies
Proposer:Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention affirm the Church's teaching that all Christians are called to bear witness to Christ wherever they may be and to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, and that this Convention equally affirm with Saint Paul that Christ has given to the Church evangelists to build up the Body of Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention direct the Center for Evangelism and Congregational Life to gather the voices and wisdom of evangelists, and encourage the sharing of information and deepening of relationships among them through all available ways, such as social networking sites, conference calls and meetings at conferences; and be it further

Resolved, That all dioceses are urged, through their Commissions on Ministry or other appropriate bodies, to identify and call forth evangelists, and to ensure that there are adequate training programs and materials available for evangelism, including web-based resources, appropriate to the demographic, cultural, and theological diversities of their geographic area; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention direct the Center for Evangelism and Congregational Life to support dioceses in the training of evangelists by developing training materials and programs; by creating and making widely available resources in different languages, for example Spanish, French, etc., to identify and develop the gifts and skills of effective evangelists; and by establishing mechanisms for sharing locally developed best practices, experiences and resources; and be it further

Resolved, that the Center for Evangelism and Congregational Life solicit from Commissions on Ministry or other appropriate diocesan bodies information on local programs utilized for the identification and development of evangelists, so that such resources can be widely shared among dioceses; and be it further

Resolved, That the Center for Evangelism and Congregational Life report on the gatherings, diocesan programs, training materials and resources, and on their effectiveness in developing skills of evangelism to the 77th General Convention.


EXPLANATION

While we are all called to be evangelists-lively witnesses who proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ-some peoples' spiritual gifts enable, even compel, them to cross boundaries and take risks to proclaim the love of God. Using traditional and non-traditional means, these evangelists inspire others with their passion for Jesus, calling others to enter personal and communal relationship with him and to be his hands and feet in mission. They also model for other Christians how to testify more boldly to our faith and hope in Christ.

The proposed Resolution strengthens the ministry of evangelism by identifying and nurturing those with unique gifts and inspiring and training those who desire to share this ministry. The identifying and training process will be different in each diocese, therefore diocesan bishops, "called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ's resurrection," should lead the design of processes for raising up, equipping and nurturing evangelists in their dioceses. The Center for Evangelism and Congregational Life would offer strategic support to dioceses by providing resources and materials that may be adapted for local use and by collecting and disseminating best practices and resources.


* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.