Party Evangelism: An Unchurched Perspective

Last updated on: May 17, 2006 at 5:38 am by Scot McKnight

Party Evangelism: An Unchurched Perspective 2006-05-17T05:38:25-05:00 Scot McKnight

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This is the second in a three-part series on what is now being called “party evangelism.” It presents an interview with a young man who attended one of the parties.

Inside the Party: An “unchurched” perspective
April 14, 2006
T.D., a new “believer” who was influenced by Party Evangelism, recently sat down with the editor to lend perspective of the influence this contemporary outreach had on his conversion.
When you first received the invitation to a party, what did you think? Did you want to come or did it take some persuading?
It took a lot of persuading. I was raised Catholic and was taught that Catholicism was right and everything else was wrong. I had Amanda and Sus [two of Tom’s “churched friends] trying to get me to come to one of the parties. Finally Amanda kind of tricked me into coming. I’m glad she did.
What were your impressions of the party? Were you comfortable? Describe the experience?
As nervous as I was coming to the party, I was incredibly comfortable. I felt very welcome… the openness of the group just kind of swallowed me. I am typically an outgoing person and don’t have problems starting conversations with people I don’t know, but that wouldn’t have matter with this group. Everyone was talking and introducing himself or herself and really taking an interest in the conversation and me. It is hard to really describe my experience in detail because it feels like it happened really fast and long ago now. It was definitely like nothing I had ever experienced before.
Did the party feel like it was being hosted by stereotypical Christians? How did the way the party was hosted make you feel?
I don’t think the subject of faith or religion was brought up all night unless I brought it up. Again being raised Catholic, I had a preconceived notion as to what the stereotypical Christian was. At no point did I meet anyone that fit the stereotype. The openness of the party, the guests, and the hosts made me feel like I was member of the group all along. I’m glad the party was hosted in a manner that was unstructured and open. Had there been any ministry or worship time I might have been uncomfortable.
Did you enjoy being at the party? Did you feel like, “yeah, I could actually get to know some of these people” or did you feel “passed over”?
Not only did I feel like “yeah I could actually get to know these people”, I wanted to get to know these people! I almost felt like I had to get to know these people. I really enjoyed the party. It was more fun than I thought a Christian party would be. At no point did I feel “passed over” or unwelcome.
What made you want to then try coming to house group?
After meeting the group and feeling so welcomed and included, I figured I had to go the next step. The feeling I had at the party definitely influenced me into coming [to housegroup]. Although still weary and questionable because of my Catholic upbringing. Amanda’s influence and a conversation or two with Sus also helped. Like I said before I just felt like I had to get to know the community, I realize now that God was probably talking to me. Something just told me I should be there. Even now when I don’t make it to house group, I feel like I’ve missed something; it kind of throws off my week and leaves wanting something.
Do you think first attending a party made you feel more comfortable or made it easier to start coming to house group?
Absolutely! Attending the party first helped deplete some of my preconceived notions about Christians. It allowed me to meet some people I would see at house group and have something to talk about before, after or during house group. It gave me a level of comfort and removed some of the anxiety that might have taken away from my willingness to build a relationship with Jesus and the group.
Did coming to house group add depth to your relationship with Jesus? How did it affect your faith?
Coming to house group has turned my world up side down! Catholicism is a form of Christianity and I always considered myself a Christian but I definitely look at my faith differently. I definitely feel that I have a relationship with Jesus now. I couldn’t have said that before coming to house group or attending the Vineyard. The more I come to house group the deeper I feel my relationship with Jesus becoming. House group gives me the foundation I need to build that relationship. It helps me understand and recognize the Lord’s work in others and me. The teachings help me learn about Jesus. Worship and ministry help build that relationship in so many ways.
Now knowing the purpose of the parties, do you think they are an effective way of bringing people who are not connected with the church, into community? Why or why not?
I think that if you read my answers above they will answer this question for you! The parties are a great way to “break the ice” for new comers. It is a much more relaxed environment that allows the initial meeting of the community. I am a perfect example of the parties helping to connect someone to the church. I still struggle with the differences between my Catholic upbringing and the ways of the Vineyard but I now have a community to support me in my faith. Having a group of peers to turn to and seek guidance from is an invaluable tool.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

May 17, 2006

The Gospel of Grace

Next Post

May 17, 2006 Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Acts of the Apostles Adam Advent Anabaptism Angels Anglican Apologetics Atonement Baptism BCP Prayers Bible Biblical Studies Birds Blogging Bloglossary Bonhoeffer Books Calvinism Christianity Church Church History Coffee Colossians Commentary Recs Conversion Creation Creeds Culture Death Ecclesiastes Economics Education Embracing Grace Emergent Emerging Movement Eschatology Essays Ethics Eucharist Evangelicalism Family Fasting Fathers Fellowship of Differents Footsteps Tour Fun and Whimsical Gospel Grace Happiness Heaven Hell Holy Spirit Irenaeus James Jesus Jesus Creed Job Justification Kingdom of God Law Lectures Lent Liberalism Love and Marriage Mabanteneni Manhood Mary Miracles Missio Alliance MissioLife Missional Missional Jesus Movies and Film New Perspective Northern Seminary OneLife Origins Project Orthodox Parables Pastor's Spouse Pastoring and Leading Pastoring and Preaching Patristics Paul Paul-John Tour Pharisees Pietism Political Theology Prayer and Formation Preaching Problems for Faith Psalm 119 Psalms Public Issues Purgatory Religions Resurrection Revelation Romans Rule of JCreed Science and Faith Sermon on the Mount Sports Ten Commandments Theology Third Way Top Ten Lists Translations Uncategorized Universalism University Ministry Way Out Weekly Meanderings Wisdom Women and Ministry Work Worship Writing & Blogging Youth Ministry

Select a Month July 2021 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 0000

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many minor prophets are there in the Old Testament?

Select your answer to see how you score.

10 7 12 15