Ancient-Future Evangelism

Making Your Church a Faith-Forming Community

by: Robert E. Webber

series: Ancient-Future

• Format

  E-Book

  ISBN

  9781441242105

  Pub. Date

  Nov 2003

  SRP

  $25.00

  Buy

About

How can evangelism produce not only converts but also disciples who grow in faith and become active members of the church?

In Ancient-Future Evangelism, Robert Webber presents a model of evangelism and discipleship firmly rooted in Scripture, attested to in the history of the church, and authentic to the postmodern world in which we live.

Webber surveys evangelism throughout the centuries, tracing the development of the ancient process of Christian formation. He translates that process for the twenty-first century, presenting four stages-conversion, discipleship, spiritual formation, and Christian vocation-that can easily be adapted to various church traditions. He also suggests three practical rites of passage to accompany this "ancient-future" practice of making disciples.

Webber then underscores how the four-fold process of faith formation is interwoven with three theological themes: Christ as victor over evil, the church as witness to God's salvation, and worship as a witness to God's mission accomplished in Jesus.

"A simplistic and reductionistic understanding of salvation has led to an obsession with conversion to the detriment of discipleship. Robert Webber provides a helpful framework to all who desire a deeper perspective on this significant subject. Every Christian disturbed by the lack of depth in the church should read Ancient-Future Evangelism."- Appianda Arthur, president, Global Leaders Initiative, Colorado Springs

Robert E. Webber is Myers Professor of Ministry at Northern Seminary and the president of the Institute for Worship Studies. He is the author of a number of books, including Ancient-Future Faith.

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Endorsements

"Many of us stand in awe at the impressive church growth statistics worldwide. At the same time we are also made aware of the shallowness of individual transformation and the challenges of post modernity. Unfortunately, a simplistic and reductionistic understanding of salvation has led to an obsession with conversion to the detriment of discipleship. This is very disturbing and requires a better understanding of the relationship between evangelism, discipleship and faith formation. In response to the findings of the 1st International Consultation on Discipleship held in Eastbourn, UK in September 1999, Dr. Robert Webber provides a helpful framework to all who desire a deeper perspective on this significant subject. Every Christian disturbed by the lack of depth in the church should read Ancient-Future Evangelism."-Dr. Appianda Arthur, president, Global Leaders Initiative, Colorado Springs

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Reviews

"Hoping to eliminate the distance between salvation and discipleship on the roadmap of faith, recognized worship evangelism expert Robert Webber digs into postmodern thought, as well as church history, to pave a path of evangelism that does not ignore the Great Commission's 'make disciples' command and champions spiritual conversion as 'a start, not an end.'"--Tamara Rice, Outreach