It’s been said that a church can’t grow unless the people inside the church are growing.
Fuller Seminary’s Professor of Evangelism and Spiritual Formation Richard Peace has known that for some time – hence his unique title. Richard’s new book, Noticing God, invites people into a deeper relationship with Jesus, which is at the core of building healthy congregations.
Richard, who’s a long time mentor and friend, talks about contemplative evangelism in this inspiring and insightful interview.
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Synopsis
Let’s face it, the age of ‘The Four Spiritual Laws’ is in the rear view mirror. These days people are figuring out that 85% of Christian conversions are not dramatic, but happen over time. Dr. Peace lays out what it means to notice God, leading us through the 7 environments in which this occurs. Here are my notes from the interview:
Disciples Not Converts
The Great Commission isn’t about just getting people to say ‘uncle’ (or ‘Jesus’…) – it’s about making disciples – it’s about a life-long process that we need to take seriously. Dr. Peace says concentrating on the contemplative disciplines that bring people closer to God not only serves to introduce Christ but to make Him known again and again and again.
The 7 Environments
They are everything from mystical experiences to the ordinary, everyday and mundane. And when we are aware of the places in which Christ makes Himself known to us we an do a better job of listening for His voice.
Effective Small Groups
Their size is between 5 and 13, and they have certain traits in common that Dr. Peace outlines as he commends small groups within churches to help us grow in spirituality.
About Richard Peace
Richard Peace is the Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism and Spiritual Formation at Fuller Seminary. He has served on the mission field in South Africa, in a media-oriented evangelistic ministry, and as a filmmaker. A prolific author, Peace has written, co-authored, or edited over 80 books and resource guides that have been translated into over ten languages. His books include Holy Conversation: Talking About God in Everyday Life , Conversion in the New Testament, and The Serendipity Bible for Groups. He is currently working on two books: Contemplative Evangelism and Imagining Jesus: An Ignatian Reading of the Gospel of Mark. Peace is a member and past president of the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, he is a consultant in church growth and small-group training to church and para-church organizations.
Books Dr. Peace Recommends
Fingerprints of God – Barbara Hagerty
Quest for the Living God – Elizabeth Johnson
Heroic Leadership – Chris Lowney
