Ideas for local evangelism/mission, please

[Italiangreyhound]

Hi, in our area we have a new housing development and our church (C of E) would like to make the new residents aware of our church, of what we offer and to invite them along to join us for events etc.

Does anyone have any ideas for local evangelism/mission, please?

Anyone tried any stuff locally that went down better than other things?

Thanks so much.

Have tons of work to do, so this is just a flying visit to say, I don't think you can baptise yourself, because when you are baptised you are joining the body of Christ on earth, that is, the church in its widest sense. So you're joining a body of people which you can't really do on your own!

The confession before baptism thing is more difficult, because you can't confess if you are an infant! Infant baptism is one of those controversial areas where there are good theological reasons for and against that will probably never be resolved one way or another.

I've wondered before about the Salvation Army and sacraments -- but do they not baptise? I didn't know that.

I think the admission to communion course is not the actual words - it's something like 'after preparation for admission to communion', in practice every diocese has its own arrangements, except for those (like London) that don't admit children to communion at all

Can you join the body of Christ, in spirit, though?

Capsicum not all Christians accept the baptism of infants, of course. And part of me wants to say in answer to Can you join the body of Christ, in spirit, though? that of course you can, because our spirits are eternal, but we are also 'body' now!

Ninny see this.... www.waterbeachsalvationarmy.org.uk/what-to-know-more/why-does-the-salvation-army-not-baptise-or-hold-communion/

I guess I like communion and baptism and only really see there are two sacraments.

Ninny you need to work so I will say Goodnight and also to you dear Too and Capsicum.

Capsicum not all Christians accept the baptism of infants, of course. And part of me wants to say in answer to Can you join the body of Christ, in spirit, though? that of course you can, because our spirits are eternal, but we are also 'body' now!

I think these questions are important because there is a possibility that someone who realised their Christian Faith could be alone amongst non believers. That they can be part of the body of Christ is spirit and that He could still be manifest through them, their flesh, is comforting. Similarly children could come to belief without being baptised through water baptism.

Goodnight.x

Capsicum for me water baptism is not such a massive deal but really if you become a believer, why not be baptised, unless there is a very good reason not to! (Which I can't think of).

Night night.

I am baptised, Italian by water and in spirit. I was just thinking hypothetically of people physically separated from the established church for some reason and also of the full meaning of baptism.

^for example if they read the Bible whilst in a place of physical isolation, like an isolated research centre.

Capsicum then I think they should wait until the get back to 'civilisation'. IMHO.

Well yes, but if I think on this sort of thing too much, along with withholding communion, it just seems divisive. Sort of makes me go cold, reminds me of Medieval excommunication and people worrying about not having last rites and unbaptised babies.

I know there is a balance to be had because the sacraments when participated in should be done so whole heartedly but I don't like to think of people feeling excluded from the church or sacraments being withheld either.

As I said people can complicate things (as I might be doing here) IMO Jesus broke away from a lot of this, He healed on the Sabbath and let His diciples eat without washing their hands. People's hearts are what matters.

Hey caps and italian since you're both here, and really good at this kind of thing, would you think about maybe popping over to another thread and telling me what you both think about the 13 billion years question? (no worries if you've got better things to do!)

Capsicum it's up to you, if you are alone and feel the need to be baptised, so be it but I don't think waiting until you get off the mountain retreat or whatever is the same as excommunicating people!

AND you have been baptised so it's not something to worry about, now.

Too where, what the 13 billion years question?