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Launch Pad 39: Organise a Café Event

by Editor

“Right, what’ll it be, love?” asked the server behind the counter. I went with my regular – a cappuccino, with chocolate. Always with the chocolate. Just ahead of me there had been a young lady with bright pink hair who ordered some exotic concoction I’d never thought of trying. Next in line stood an elderly lady – from her accent I assumed she was Nigerian. I was passed my drink and as I spun round to make my way to the train I almost collided with a chap in a fine business suit – his shining brown brogues carried him out of my path with surprising skill. I paused before making my way out the door, and looking around I was struck by not only the number of people at this glorious little oasis that is the humble café, but also by the diversity of people passing through. It reminded me of looking on at the variety of creatures that descend on a watering hole in the African savannah on a hot day – a neutral venue where everyone gets along for a little while (well, almost everyone).

One of the most difficult things for someone who is not a Christian to do is to walk into a church for some event they’ve been invited to. As Christian we can often forget this simple but important fact because we’re so comfortable there. But for many, the idea of going into a church could fill them with trepidation, and can legitimately be something that puts them off attending an event. For that simple reason alone, holding an evangelistic event at a café can be a great way to get around the apprehension.

Cafés are places that most of us are not only familiar with, but also very comfortable in – a great neutral venue – a modern watering hole. So why not consider arranging a speaker and hosting an evangelistic event in a neutral venue like a café? Doing this will remove what may be an unnecessary stumbling block for those we are trying to share the gospel with, and also provide a great setting for an event. Read more about how to do this here,  and more practically, here.

Prayer: ‘Lord, please help me identify a good location for an evangelistic event, and grant me favour in being able to connect with them and secure the venue”.

Previously: Launch Pad #38 Use Local Media

Next: Launch Pad #40 A ‘Light Party’ Halloween Alternative

The Cairngorms Convention

by Editor
The Cairngorms Convention, is one of the Keswick family of Christian conferences which take place around the world. Solas was invited to lead the Confident Christianity track at this years convention from which Andy Bannister and Gavin Matthews reported back.

 

The Cairngorms Convention itself is run by Mike Causey and a small team of volunteers (not all of whom are in his family!) Mike described the weekend in these words:
Mike Causey

“What a weekend!  For the first time we hosted it at Lagganlia, Feshiebridge, and notwithstanding the very changeable (and mostly wet) weather, it had the feel of a large church house party.

Over 25 different churches were represented across the conventioners, with about 120 people across the weekend. The convention’s intention is to serve, equip and encourage the local church, and with many families present it was joyful to do that across all ages.
With the theme of PURPOSE, with Psalm 117 as the text, Charles Price preached three times over the weekend, using that is the shortest Psalm to extend our understanding of divine purpose, means, and mission. He drew us with passion and wisdom to the law and the promises of God, through a Psalm whose hearers are the ‘gentiles’, not Israel, and to whom he cries out “Praise the LORD”!
Alongside Charles, Solas came to equip us for evangelism, an apt partnership for the Charles’ messages. Over 4 sessions they exhorted us with a reminder of the gospel, and cast a light on the very accessible ways in which we can ask questions, enquire curiously, and be confident about the good news. Solas provide a key act of service to the local church, and our hope is that many of the churches represented further pursue what they offer.
We finished with the young children reciting Psalm 117 from memory, an activity they’d been undertaking both mornings. Try it! It’s two verses packed full of truth, and providing words to bring to mind when given an opportunity to speak truth about our LORD.”

PEP Talk with Ted Turnau

by Solas

It’s movie night! Why not invite some friends round to watch a great film together? Did you know it can be a great time to start gospel conversations? Films are one of the biggest pieces of shared popular culture we have, and the good ones tap into themes and passions that we all care about – redemption, good and evil, purpose, justice. Today’s guest shares his Movie Night Kit so you can explore them with your friends.

Find the Movie Night Kit and more resources at tedturnau.com

With Angela Courte Mackenzie – PEP Talk

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Our Guest

Ted Turnau is Chair of Arts, Culture, and Literature at Anglo-American University, Prague, Czech Republic, where he teaches classes in culture, media, and religion. He is also an author and speaker on Christian cultural engagement. His books include Popologetics: Popular Culture in Christian Worldview, The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage their World for Christ (with Stephen Burnett and Jared Moore), and most recently, Oasis of Imagination: Engaging Our World through a Better Creativity and Imagination Manifesto (with Ruth Naomi Floyd).

About PEP Talk

The Persuasive Evangelism Podcast aims to equip listeners to share their faith more effectively in a sceptical world. Each episode, Andy Bannister (Solas) and Kristi Mair (Oak Hill College) chat to a guest who has a great story, a useful resource, or some other expertise that helps equip you to talk persuasively, winsomely, and engagingly with your friends, colleagues and neighbours about Jesus.

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Launch Pad 38: Use Local Media

by Editor

Local media outlets in your area are hungry for content and often welcome contributions from all kinds of people and community groups, including Christians and churches.

This potential for taking the gospel outside the walls of the church often remains untapped, but Christians across the world are finding it an amazing way of communicating. Furthermore, the proliferation of town, community, and neighbourhood social media groups means that there are many more opportunities to get something published than when the local newspaper was the only game in town.

There are three main areas to  consider contributing to.

1.Information

The most basic thing to communicate are the simple facts about what’s happening. “People will be gathering to sing Christmas carols in the town centre on Saturday”*, “Songs and stories with local musicians – free event at the Baptist Church”** all make great copy.  Local social media groups love this stuff and many newspapers have a community noticeboard section. But they can’t print what they haven’t been sent!

Local newspapers often prefer news reports (with photos) to adverts for upcoming events, so tell good stories about church: “Hope Church Opens New Building”, “Local youth group raises £5K for Africa” and so on.

  1. Letters to the editor

These can be used to communicate something of the Christian message to a wider audience. They do sometimes get published, even if they are clearly Christian. But perhaps bear the following in mind:

  • Pray first!
  • Look for a local issue on which the Christian faith has something to say.
  • Use the issue to lead towards the gospel.
  • Keep it short, 200 words, and make one clear point.
  • Don’t use Christian jargon, write well, and get a friend to proof-read.
  • Be persuasive not aggressive, never ridicule or mock.
  • Commend as well as critique others. Strike a positive tone where possible, don’t become known just for what you oppose!
  • Persist! Most letters don’t get published, but if you keep going and the editor gets to know your name, the chances increase.
  1. A column

One pastor offered his local paper a weekly ‘thought for the day’ – and sent in a few samples of his writing. For many years, his 400-500 word pieces were printed.

Pray: Lord, help us to unlock the potential of local media channels to share something of your truth with those outside the church.

Previously: Launch Pad #37  Organise a youth group reunion

Next: Launch Pad #39  Organise a Cafe Event

In Glenshee with Riverside Church

by Editor

Working for Solas is such a privilege!

This came home to me recently when I was invited to join Riverside Church, Ayr for their church weekend in Glenshee. They were providing great company, worship services, prayer times and good coffee, while the Compass Christian Centre provided good food, comfortable beds and loads of outdoor activities. I had the joy of bringing some Bible teaching to the three main meetings for the adults – while the church also provided an exciting programme for the children. All this took place in Glenshee, most famous for its extensive ski resort. It is not the most dramatic part of the Scottish landscape – but it is stunningly beautiful, with mountains, rivers, and wide-open vistas from every window of the centre!

I was invited by Riverside Church to do three sessions based around their church vision statement. So on the Friday night we looked at an aspect of our personal growth in Christ. In particular how a sense of assurance of salvation, which comes when really are gripped by the gospel of Christ and His Spirit – liberates us to live for Him even when it seems costly or risky. In session two we looked at our growth together in Christ and the way in which we need to live in fellowship, what disturbs fellowship and how we can recover a biblical vision for it. The final session was on growing the body of Christ by adding new believers. We thought together about some of the things that hold us back form sharing our faith, and some useful ways of breaking out of those traps. We drew extensively on Solas’s Mind the Gap articles about overcoming obstacles to our witness and our current Launch Pad series on practical tips for sharing faith. We also delved into the Frontlines series for some examples of people who are doing this at work.

Alongside some Bible teaching and sung worship, we had times of discussion and prayer allowing everyone to dig into the topics and reflect on how they relate to their own experience.


Outside of the main meeting room, fellowship was enjoyed around the campfire, the table tennis table, the kayaking loch, the tree-climbing course, the high ropes course and the pool table. The meal-times were a big highlight too, with lots of laughter, serious conversation and of course food too.

I always enjoy working in partnership with Riverside, they are a lot of fun alongside their profound commitment to Christ. We’re in the process of planning a Confident Christianity conference with them, later in the year. Details of that will be posted on the Solas website as soon as they are available and can be accessed through the “Events” tab at the top of this page. If you are in that area, please come along and see us there – and say Hi to us at the Solas stand!

Launch Pad 37: Organise a youth group reunion

by Editor

Many, many years ago I attended a high school reunion. At first, I wasn’t really keen on going, but then a friend twisted my arm and convinced me it would be a good idea. I thought it would be fun to see everyone all grown up and hear what they were up to in the big wide world. What I wasn’t expecting, however, is that it would lead to some really good conversations about spiritual things and the big questions of life.

When the usual ‘so, what do you do?’ question came along, I said I’d recently stepped away from the sciences to work at my church. That was all it took for the questions started flowing and I had great chats where I had the opportunity to share my faith.

Obviously, not everyone has that as a way into conversation, but most of us probably went to a church Sunday school, youth or young adults group, and are still in contact on social media with people from those groups, even if we’ve not seen them for many years. Once you’ve found five or so people, then if each of them know a few others, very soon a whole group can be invited!

People love seeing those they were at school with and with those they knew when they were young, so why not reconnect with people you know from youth group too?

The beauty of doing this is that there is already the common ground of having been at church together, and so it’s comparatively easy to bring faith and spirituality into the conversation in a non- threatening way: ‘Hey Bob, did you ever find a church when you moved to Bury?’; ‘Hey Jill, I know you stopped coming to the group, have you ever thought about coming back to church?’.

Many people leave the church during the years after school or in their early working life as they get busy or distracted, or just go off to figure things out – and a youth group reunion is a great way to help them back and show them again the truth of the Gospel.

Prayer: ‘Lord, help me think about the people in my past whom you would have me reach out to, especially those from my younger years in the church. Help me to find a way to connect with them and share your love with them once more. Amen’

Previously: Launch Pad #36 Host a Film and Discussion Evening

Next: Launch Pad #38 Use Local Media

Confident Christianity in Perth

by Editor

The Confident Christianity evening in Perth was overshadowed by a tragedy which struck the Baptist Church earlier that day. Many of the people gathering that night were in shock at the tragic accident which had claimed the life of a much-loved prominent member of the church. Her family were insistent that the event go ahead, but given the situation we re-arranged the programme. Steve Osmond stepped in to take some of the pressure from me, as it was a friend of mine who had died that day, and I was somewhat in shock.

Gordy from Perth Baptist opened the event with a welcome and explained the situation to the visitors from other churches who might have wondered what was going on, prayed for the family and offered pastoral support to anyone struggling. He also had received messages from the family urging us to press ahead which he shared with the folks there.

Steve Osmond got things underway with his ‘art of conversation’ talk. It delivers a similar message to Andy’s How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot session, on conversations that lead to Jesus. I then interviewed Andy about some of the latest news from Solas, before a coffee break.

In our Have You Ever Wondered? session, I explained the basis for the use of Have You Ever Wondered? questions, and why they really are a tool for our times. I then talked through Andy Steiger’s chapter Have You Ever Wondered Why The Environment Matters? To show how the approach works in practice. Andy then talked us through two more examples, Have You Ever Wondered What Love Really Is? and Have You Ever Wondered Why We Love Happy Endings? Andy passed back to me for a quick session on ways in which people are using the Have You Ever Wondered? book. That included, using it themselves to learn, giving it away, placing it in café’s and libraries, in churches and CU’s and on using it prayerfully.

The Q&A that followed was handled by Andy and Steve – and they faced some good questions from hell and judgement, to vegetarianism, to apathy, anger and the uniqueness of Jesus.

Despite the circumstances, it was good to be together with people from many churches and to chat about sharing the good news of Jesus with the people that we love. The tragic events of that day in some ways focussed our minds on the fact that eternity is at hand, we are fragile and mortal and need to be ready to meet with God. For us individually that first means turning from our sins and putting our faith in Christ, who reconciles us to God. It then means sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and the eternal life he offers to as many people as we can , while we can.

There were an unusually large number of Solas supporters and supporting churches there that night too, so it als gave us a chance to thank them for their love, encouragement, gifts and prayers, which keep our ministry going.

With David Lochhead

by Solas

We can sometimes think that evangelism is all about getting someone through the front door of the church. But what about those who end up leaving out the back door? Through the busyness of life, personal disappointments, or the disruption of the pandemic, there are many people who need encouragement to re-engage with their faith. On the podcast today, we hear about using the power of video and stories to re-evangelise this group on social media.

With David Lochhead – PEP Talk

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Our Guest

Originally from Scotland, David Lochhead consulted for large blue chip companies such as Accenture, Barclays & Sky TV before setting up FINLAY eyewear in 2012. FINLAY has become a prominent independent eyewear brand, with two flagship stores in London and a roster of clients from Prince William to Rihanna. In 2022 David launched Streams Studio: a social media platform designed to encourage believers in their faith – on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook @streams.studio

About PEP Talk

The Persuasive Evangelism Podcast aims to equip listeners to share their faith more effectively in a sceptical world. Each episode, Andy Bannister (Solas) and Kristi Mair (Oak Hill College) chat to a guest who has a great story, a useful resource, or some other expertise that helps equip you to talk persuasively, winsomely, and engagingly with your friends, colleagues and neighbours about Jesus.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Launch Pad 36: Host A Film and Discussion Evening

by Editor

One of the keys to successful personal evangelism is creating an environment in which it becomes natural to discuss ‘life-deep’ questions. Film and discussion nights have a proven track record of being the catalyst for fruitful discussions which go well beyond the bland pleasantries of mere small talk.

But what does it take to create a great evangelistic movie night for non-Christian guests?

1. Choose your film carefully

You may need to watch a few films before deciding which ones to use in your film nights. Chose a mainstream film (not a niche Christian) one; not just to attract a larger crowd but also because the ensuing discussions will connect more powerfully with people’s lives. Choose a film that reflects (well or badly) on a biblical theme like greed, love, corruption, hypocrisy, redemption or altruism. Very long movies don’t work; nor do kitsch, or extremely safe ones which don’t challenge the viewer!

2. Offer warm hospitality

When the credits roll and the lights come up be ready with food and drinks and the reassurance that everyone’s views are welcome in the discussion.

3. Plan the discussion

Don’t ‘wing-it’, have your discussion questions (or even a short reflection on the film) ready. Start with general questions about what people made of the film itself, what they did or didn’t like. Look for personal responses, which characters did you relate to the most and why? Gently move the conversation deeper with questions such as, ‘what was true, uplifting, and good’ in this film? And what was dark, sinister, or twisted in it? What did the characters overcome, and were their stories convincing? Always have a question that allows you (or other Christians in the room) to bring a distinctly Christian response to the film. “What is missing in this narrative?”; “Do you think these characters will be content with the outcome, and if not why?”. Finally what was the film maker saying and do you agree with them?

4. Remember it is a discussion!

It’s not an opportunity for you to preach to a captive audience! Listen as much as you speak, and value contributions from everyone.

Pray: Father thank you for thoughtful cinema! Please help me to use culture and media to open up discussions which ultimately lead to you and what matters most. Amen!§

Previously: Launch Pad #35  Become a local mission volunteer!

Next: Launch Pad #37  Organise a youth group reunion

Steve’s first Ceilidh!

by Editor

I don’t fancy myself much of a dancer*, but I have been known to venture out to the dance floor if the occasion calls for it! The first Ceilidh Iattended since moving to Scotland when I was invited to speak at an Easter Ceilidh that the Stirling University Christian Union was hosting. The closest thing to a Ceilidh in South Africa would probably be the humble ‘sokkie’ (“Sokkie is a style of dance that is unique to Southern Africa and popular mostly with Afrikaners. It is also a type ballroom dance.” – Wikipedia), but my two left feet could never quite get the hang of it. This didn’t’ prevent me from putting in a good attempt, and to my surprise I got the hang of it quite quickly – and nobody was harmed!

Now, as much as I may have fancied myself a lord of the dance after that, I was there to point to the Lord of All – Jesus Christ. The CU used the Ceilidh as a way to invite their friends to come along for some fun, but also to hear a talk on the hope of Christianity, and particularly the hope that comes from the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. Speaking to a room of about 40 students I had the opportunity to explain the reality and relevance of the resurrection of Jesus, and then field some questions from the audience. It was a great evening and I’m always so encouraged by student events where students from all different walks of life are open to coming and hearing different perspectives and then engaging with good questions. And most of all – I get to share the Gospel with them, and for many it’s the first time they’re hearing it. As a follow on from the event, the CU was starting a group study through the Gospel of Mark with those who wanted to know more about Jesus ands the Christian faith.

If you’re thinking about ways in which you can reach out to the community around you, why not follow the lead of the CU and arrange a community Ceilidh? Get some snack and drinks, get a band, and get a speaker, Solas regularly send speakers like myself to events such as these, and if you are planning one, click here to get in touch and find out how we can arrange that for you.
—

*We are fact-checking Steve’s alleged prowess on the dance-floor. The full report is not yet available, but early indications suggest that the results will be somewhere between ‘awkward’ and ’embarrassing’ – ed.

If God is Loving, How Could He Create Hell?

by Solas

Hell! From stained glass windows to modern movie classics, the idea of hell is something that still gets a lot of attention, along with some confusion. What is it? Why would a loving God send someone to a place so terrible? In this episode of Short Answers, Steve shares some thoughts and illustrations to clear up some of the confusion.

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Please share this video widely with friends or family and for more Short Answers videos, visit solas-cpc.org/shortanswers/, subscribe to our YouTube channel or visit us on Twitter Instagram or Facebook.

Support

Short Answers is a viewer-supported video series: if you enjoy them, please help us continue to make them by donating to Solas. Visit our Donate page and choose a free book as a thank-you gift!

Launch Pad 35: Become a Local Mission Volunteer

by Editor

Have you ever got the end of a slightly-below-par Netflix series that didn’t quite live up to its billing? Have you ever thought that the time that you spent gazing into the screen could have been invested for eternity instead? Your local mission organisation is the bridge that can turn such aspirations into action.

Many Christians would love to be involved in mission, but just don’t know where to start. Part of the problem is that pioneers and innovators are biographized and celebrated but we often forget that the kingdom of God is mostly advanced by ordinary foot-soldiers not famous generals! Sharing the gospel might not be impossible or complicated as you think. Just have a look around your town, see what God is already doing, and join in.

One friend of Solas signed up as a volunteer with Prison Fellowship. He gives up a couple of hours every week and gained endless opportunities to share the gospel. Each week he meets people who need the hope, forgiveness  and restoration Christ brings. Edinburgh City Mission are looking for volunteers to work in their foodbanks whilst London City Mission need help in their day centre for the homeless. Christians Against Poverty have debt centres all over the country and need volunteers to befriend and support their clients. These befrienders have many opportunities to pray with, and share the love of Christ.

Volunteering with an established mission takes most of the difficulty out of getting started in evangelism. You don’t have to have innovative ideas, set up a charity, or build a team; you just show up! You don’t have to source training, insurance, equipment or work out what best practice to follow; just listen and join in. You don’t even have to find people to serve; most established missions have lots of contacts already.

George Bernard Shaw once said, “Imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery – it’s the sincerest form of learning.”  Perhaps you don’t need to innovate, but to identify what is good and learn by joining in. A small regular commitment from you could change lives forever.

What is going on in your town or city? Who is doing great gospel work that you could be part of?

Pray: Lord, thank you for those already ministering your love in my community. Please show me where I could contribute. Amen!

Previously: Launch Pad #34  Hold a Sports Outreach Event!

Next: Launch Pad #36  Host a Film and discussion evening

PEP Talk with Mark Durie

by Solas

Today on PEP Talk we look at some of the cultural and spiritual dimensions of Islam that can often be hidden from our Western perspectives. If you want to share your faith with Muslim friends or colleagues, these insights can be so helpful! Our guest today shares his experience across church planting ministry, working with immigrants and linguistic studies, especially drawing on his book, Liberty to the Captives.

With Mark Durie – PEP Talk

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Our Guest

Rev Dr Mark Durie was born in Papua to missionary parents and grew up in Canberra. His PhD in linguistics studied the language of the Acehnese people in Indonesia. Mark spent ten years on the Linguistics faculty at the University of Melbourne, but was ordained in 1999, serving in three Melbourne Anglican parishes over the next two decades.  Now at Melbourne School of Theology, Mark teaches in Islamic studies and pastoral theology. The author of many articles and books, which have been translated into numerous languages, Mark’s research interests include missions to Muslims, discipleship, Islamic origins, human rights, religious freedom, and deliverance ministry.

About PEP Talk

The Persuasive Evangelism Podcast aims to equip listeners to share their faith more effectively in a sceptical world. Each episode, Andy Bannister (Solas) and Kristi Mair (Oak Hill College) chat to a guest who has a great story, a useful resource, or some other expertise that helps equip you to talk persuasively, winsomely, and engagingly with your friends, colleagues and neighbours about Jesus.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST