Beyond Altar Calls: Rediscovering Evangelism Through Patience and Community

Feb 5, 2024

The podcast discusses the dangers of platforming people too early and the role of altar calls in evangelism. They explore the concept of patience as a counter-cultural virtue and examine the parable of the wheat and weeds. The importance of discernment, creating a culture of humanization, and embodying the goodness of living under the lordship of Jesus is emphasized. The traditional practice of altar calls is questioned, and a broader understanding of evangelism is proposed.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Sleep Troubles, Stomach Pain, and Anxiety

02:52 • 2min

Platforming Individuals: The Dangers and Risks

04:36 • 22min

Exploring Alternative Perspectives on the Altar Call Invitation

26:33 • 20min

The Parable of the Weeds and Wheat

46:10 • 18min

The Meaning of Coming to Jesus

01:04:32 • 13min

Reflections on 'the weeds in the wheat' and the importance of patience and firmness

01:17:19 • 2min

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford challenge traditional views of evangelism by exploring how the early church grew through embodied faith and patient community life. Drawing from Alan Kreider's The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, they discuss moving beyond altar calls rooted in guilt and manipulation, and toward a transformative understanding of evangelism rooted in the way of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

• Rethinking Evangelism – Understanding that the early church grew not by compelling arguments or altar calls, but by living out the teachings of Jesus in community.

• Patience Over Outcomes – Exploring the virtue of patience as central to early Christians, and how trusting God's timing contrasts with modern urgency to produce immediate results.

• Dangers of Control – Discussing how attempts to control spiritual outcomes can lead to manipulation and divert us from genuine discipleship.

• The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds – Unpacking Jesus's teaching on allowing wheat and weeds to grow together, and how it informs our approach to dealing with evil in the world.

• Salvation as Community Participation – Redefining salvation from an individual transaction to participation in the communal life of following Jesus.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Patient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan Kreider

• The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark

• Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds – Matthew 13

• Power and Weakness by Tim Gombis

Join us in rediscovering evangelism rooted in patience, community, and the way of Jesus. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media to stay connected and be part of the conversation.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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