Evangelists
last updated on: 31st Mar 2011
What is an Evangelist?
All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go in my name and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:18.19
The Diocese of Leicester authorises evangelists to work alongside the other ordained and lay ministers within the Church under the authority of a parish priest, rural dean, or other local leadership, taking on particular responsibility for the proclamation of the gospel for the growth of the Church. Evangelists may be members of local ministry teams and may be called to assist in exploring opportunities for evangelism in wider contexts.
Anyone who is a regular baptised and confirmed communicant of the Church of England may be recommended to the Bishop with the support of their incumbent and parochial church council to go forward for selection, training and commissioning as an evangelist .
Evangelists in Practice
The work of evangelists probably varies as much as the evangelists do. While evangelists may be asked to preach occasionally in churches, the focus of the evangelist is those on the edge of Church life and those who have no contact with Church at all.
Possible areas of work might include:
Involvement in continuing one-to-one or small group evangelism
Leading a parish or area audit on evangelistic opportunities
Planning and delivering evangelistic activities and events
Establishing and running enquirers groups (Alpha / Emmaus/ Essence etc)
Exploring and developing new ways of ‘being church’
Training others in ‘faith-sharing’
The Process
Have a conversation with your incumbent or chaplaincy team leader
Enrol on the Diocesan ‘Certificate in Christian Discipleship’ (CCD) course
Talk to someone who is already practising evangelism
Contact the Diocesan Warden of Evangelists
Ask for an application form and forms for references
During your time on the CCD COURSE you will be invited to attend a Selection Interview
For a flowchart of the process of becomming an Evangelist, please click here.
Contact the Warden of Evangelists, Ivan Bennett
Tel: 0116 223 9730 Email: thebennetts@ntlworld.com
