Reviews

"[This book] stretch[es] both thinking and practice of those of us who are committed to thoughtful evangelism in our day. I especially appreciated a number of items. First, the material is framed in four thoughtful and memorable questions. . . . Second, with tight argumentation [Adeney] answers each lead question with material that any orthodox Christian can use. I found her sidebars extremely helpful. . . . Third, her material is rooted in the life of the local church . . . and hence is designed to help both laity and clergy to face the challenging tasks before us in North America. Fourth, her historical survey is extremely helpful in capturing briefly where we have come from since New Testament times. . . . Finally, she is honest to face the failures and shortcomings of Protestantism . . . in the broader global context. . . . Adeney's book has helped me frame and understand my own experience in the context of scripture, history, my changing world, and the need to frame and articulate a 'graceful evangelism' for today."--William D. Taylor, Evangelical Missions Quarterly

"Interactive questions and group dialogue sprinkled throughout the book, along with an appendix to help congregations take an historical look at evangelism in their own church, make this resource applicable for small group study. . . . Graceful Evangelism is an excellent overview of a holistic view of evangelism--sharing God's love in word and deed--from an ecumenical landscape. . . . Today's relativistic world demands the kind of insight Adeney demonstrates."--Laurie Fortunak Nichols, Great Commission Research Journal

"I found [Adeney's] discussion of context and location most accessible and thought that this would be helpful for an introductory preaching course. Adeney offers a 'Context Worksheet' small group exercise for congregations that I believe will be equally as appropriate for seminary students. . . . [I offer] a strong recommendation for this book. I will definitely include this on future bibliographies."--Lucy Lind Hogan, Homiletic

"Adeney seeks to find a way to craft a graceful evangelism that holds onto deep convictions while respecting the convictions of others, one that is suited to today's diverse church and pluralized world. Drawing upon her interactions with seminary students and congregations, and her own research and cross-cultural experience, Adeney fills her book with examples that illustrate the varied theologies and approaches to evangelism that she describes. . . . Teachers, students, and serious readers will find Graceful Evangelism to be helpful and formative. Sidebars throughout clearly summarize key content, and pastors will value the practical tools for addressing differences and engaging in graceful evangelism at the congregational level."--Robert J. Weingartner, Missiology

"[This book] is fully cognizant of the contemporary world and the complexity of the evangelistic task before the church. . . . Graceful Evangelism covers areas needed to answer the often divisive questions related to the task of outreach. . . . This book will prove useful, and even essential, for congregations and denominations working through their understanding(s) of evangelism. . . . The book overall will resonate more likely with Christians in mainline churches. Evangelicals will do well by reading this book for understanding a broader view of evangelism. It should help to dispel the myth that being aware of our religiously plural world makes us religious pluralists. Frances Adeney guides us well in that direction."--William T. Purinton, Trinity Journal