Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey

by Rick Richardson, Luis Palau (Foreword)

Finalist, Fourth Annual Outreach Resource of the Year Sometimes talking about Jesus with your friends can feel like trying to close a deal on a sales call, pushing something on people they may not really want. But what if you thought of it more like inviting them on a spiritual journey? Imagine being free to be yourself and free for the Spirit to work in you. Imagine that it doesn't depend on you alone but that you can be an important part of a witnessing community. Imagine telling people stories instead of trying to download content. Here is your invitation to reimagine what evangelism could be for you.

Genres: Evangelism, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology

168 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2006

Reviews

[Susan Abshier]

This was a very good and insightful read. I was required to read it as a leader in a campus ministry and I am so glad I did! The author really uses this book to reshape the stereotypical idea of "evangelism". Rather than being "salesmen" of the gospel, we are tour guides in the spiritual walk together. Any Christian who cares about reaching people or being in ministry would love this book!

This book would be good for high school if it was a private Christian school teaching about Evangelism but I cannot see this book being used in the public school.

[Emily]

Normally when I read books about evangelism, I end up feeling bad about not being bolder and feeling convicted, yet somewhat apprehensive, about stepping out more with my faith. In Reimagining Evangelism, Richardson gives some really helpful paradigms for evangelism in the context of our current society and I'm left feeling really hopeful and excited about what it can mean to share about Jesus with my friends, acquaintances, and family.

Having been a part of Intervarsity for the past few years, the main message of this book is something I've seen lived out in my fellowship and even participated in myself. Still, Richardson does a great job of presenting concepts clearly, illustrating well with stories, using Jesus as the model, and giving practical tips. This is probably because I am a product of my generation, but I identify really deeply with many of the frustrations that Richardson presents with the "salesman" model for evangelism and I am drawn toward this concept of a spiritual guide. Despite the biases involved in presenting the two concepts that way, Richardson does a great job of explaining some blocks for people of our generation and why there is a need for this shift. I found his observations enlightening and also extremely relevant to conversations or relationships that I've had with non-Christians.

I find this book both accesible and also spiritually very rich. I'm encouraged to read the stories presented and be reminded of the hope that Jesus can bring especially to my college campus. This book is a must for anyone doing college ministry!

[Tiffany]

A practical guide that demystifies evangelism. It's not only about cultivating one-on-one relationships, there also has to be an intentional focus on understanding where God is currently working (and how) and listening to the Holy Spirit to determine how you are to come alongside. You also need to be equipped with good questions that encourage spiritual exploration and excavation. The analogy of being a detective is a fitting one. You are but one piece of the puzzle assembled to lead that person on their journey toward God. The advice to challenge yourself as to how you can do what you love with people who don't yet know Jesus is one that all can participate in.

The book explores the issue of broken trust and the challenges it presents to the church today in a matter-of-fact way. There's no attempt to justify the misuse of power by the church in past ages or the injustices perpetrated on various ethnic groups. History is just presented as is along with how we need to respond.

[Kyle Haack]

Great rethinking of evangelism with a focus on relationships.

[Jessica Henderson]

This book reminds Christians of the great blessing that we have in sharing the good news with others- something that we all probably take for granted. It asks the massive question and provokes our thoughts of, is our church excited about evangelism anymore? Are we thrilled to go and tell others about Jesus? The books allows us to be reminded of the importance of showing Jesus in all we do and how relationships with non believers should be reimagined in such a way as to show and help them explore Jesus!

[Blake A]

It’s the classic “guide” model of evangelism as opposed to a proclamational model. It might have some decent takeaways to apply but overall not a fan of the model.

[Daniel]

A great book! I appreciated rick's candid and open approach to evangelism. He opens up the world of inviting friends onto a spiritual journey and shifts the paradigm from conversion to journey and direction. These ideas are not new to readers of out of the salt shaker (or even of Mark if you look closely) but he articulates these things well and remains practical enough that you feel like you could do it!
I also appreciated his section on using your own gifts for evangelism. He is a collaborator, referencing brian mclaren, york moore, and others which I always appreciate.

[Chris]

Richardson's book is very helpful for people who want to know how to share the gospel in a postmodern context. As I was reading it I could think of many interactions in my college context where the ideas and discussions of this book would have helped me greatly. Too bad I didn't read it earlier! Richardson explores concepts such as Spirit-led evangelism and the idea of going from a "salesperson" approach (which no one, not even Christians, like) to a "travel guide" approach, which is actually a very helpful image. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in sharing their faith, especially among Postmoderns and Millennials.

[Mark Soone]

I would probably go 3.5 stars for this. I am not real familiar with Richardson, but he brought a fresh approach to storytelling evengelism and took some looks at other tried and perhaps dated methods. Evangelism is a sorely lacking need in the church, that books like this will always be relevant and in demand. However I prefer many other evangelism books over the years to this one...that does not make it bad, far from it, rather I like some other options out there more.

The problem is most believers realize this need, but want someone else to do it...and my guess is after reading this most will still see the need, and still have the desire for someone else to do it...Now is the time!

[Jeff]

Wanna know the point of this book and how to Evangelise? Two words: Be Real! Coming from the background I've been steeped in it was freeing to read about it, but it didn't teach anything new necessarily! I would recommend it to those steeped in the 4 laws model, or cold-call evangelism, but others already in tune with relational evangelism, and everyone else, the point is just to be real! Stop nicing things up!

[Michelle]

Shatter your paradigms of how to "go to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (hmm, did I get that reference right?). Super helpful for shaking up your thinking about conversing with folks about faith and Jesus in a real way.

[John Williams]

i've read 7 or 8 books on evangelism and this one is the best. book is only 160 pages and could be read in an afternoon. he shuns a lot of the excesses I've seen people take in efforts to share the gospel and advocates a style that makes a lot of sense.

[Brad Kittle]

I got some great ideas from this book, ones I will use. Still not sure what I think about the book overall. The Holy Spirit detective agency chapter was a 5, but some of the other chapters were less than stellar. 3 Star for me is good and this book was good, but not great.

[Danny]

Dump all your old evangelism books in the garbage and just read this one.

[Rev.dulce]

This is a great book if you are interested in a new way to do evangelism. If don't want to change your method then don't read it.

[Chris Wheatley]

rick is great.

[Jay Rivera]

I purchased this book a few years ago and only finished half of it. I'm rereading it now and appreciate Rick Richardson's insights into communicating one's beliefs through storytelling.

[James]

Some helpful insights on how to do evangelism today.

[Aswindo]

Sedang membaca edisi bahasa Indonesianya. Sangat menginspirasi..... :)

[Milan Doshi]

Practical application, and challenging. One of the best way's to evangelize is to do things with non believers that you love doing!

[Jovan Barrington]

Fresh approach to sharing the Gospel. Get rid of your scripts!

[Andy]

Recommended for readers who want to reach people who do not believe in Christ with a post modern approach, the approach of friendship.

[Brian Steele]

Richardson understands postmodern evangelism. This is also a readable and relatable work for any follower at any level. Very helpful for a class I just taught and a sermon series!