Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making Your Church a Faith-forming Community
Overview
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.
Save more when you get this book as part of the Robert Webber Ancient-Future Collection (4 Vols.)!
Top Highlights
“The International Consultation on Discipleship defines discipleship as a ‘process that takes place within accountable relationships over a period of time for the purpose of bringing believers to spiritual maturity in Christ. Biblical examples suggest that discipleship is both relational and intentional, both a position and a process.’” (Page 41)
“True Christian spirituality is to live out our baptism by continually dying to sin and rising to the new life in Christ. The work of the church in forming the spiritual life of the new disciple is to train the new Christian in the practice of living in the pattern of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (Page 89)
“The missional church, on the other hand, evangelizes primarily by immersing the unchurched in the experience of community. In this community they see, hear, and feel the reality of the faith or ‘catch’ the faith.” (Page 62)
“The fathers of the ancient church recognized that discipleship is a matter of the heart, the will, and the intellect.” (Page 47)
“Postmodern evangelism is not so much an argument but a display.” (Page 63)
A simplistic and reductionist understanding of salvation has led to an obsession with conversion to the detriment of discipleship. 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
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
- Title: Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making Your Church a Faith-forming Community
- Author: Robert E. Webber
- Publisher: Baker
- Publication Date: 2003
- Pages: 224
Robert E. Webber was, at the time of his death, Myers Professor of Ministry at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois, and served as the president of the Institute for Worship Studies in Orange Park, Florida. Over 30,000 people have attended his workshops, and he has authored over forty books on worship and the church, including the Complete Library of Christian Worship, available from Logos. He has also written Renew Your Worship and developed a complete audio and video series based on the book and its related workshops. Prior to his appointment at Northern Seminary, Webber taught at Wheaton College for thirty-two years as professor of theology. He has taught courses on the history, theology, and practice of worship and spirituality.