Summary

Evangelism is about stories. It’s about telling the central story of our faith of Christ dying and being raised and connecting that story to our personal and corporate narratives. My project is focused on knowing one’s story and connecting the community’s corporate story to God’s salvific movement. I will study memoir writing at Collegeville Institute because you have to know your own story before you can invite others to tell theirs. In addition, I will attend Solomon’s Porch, an emergent church in Minneapolis that focuses on narrative.

Then I will be immersed in the Epworth Project and the People of a New Day project inspired by Professor Elaine Heath of Perkins School of Ministry. These connect monastic spirituality with disadvantaged neighborhoods in Dallas/Fort Worth. The mode of evangelism is living and talking with instead of bringing a message to the community.

Next, I will study evangelism practices with Professor David Gortner of Virginia Theological Seminary as well as immersing myself in two communities in Washington, DC: The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany and The Table, an emergent Church with an emphasis on social justice and inclusion.