A Pilgrimage Of Faith, J.B. Toews, 1993

ram and appealed to each church to pray out an evangelism chairperson and establish a congregational board of evangelism. The training of pastors and leaders for evan- gelism was to be provided in several sessions at a time when large participation was possible. Special concern was record- ed to recognize that evangelism was born in the process of spiritual revitalization and to explore new methods of evange- lism and guard that such methods be consistent with Scrip- ture. Ten-hour marathons on lifestyle evangelism were sched- uled in twelve different U.S. locations for 1976 and 1977 to provide biblical directives in three specific areas: (1) a visita- tion of God, of the gospel, of the church, of individuals and the meaning of evangelism. (2) Motivation, freedom and abil- 250 MENNONTTE BRETHREN EVANGELISM ity to share the good news "as you go, as He leads where to go." (3) Sharpen the edge on a personal and church lifestyle evangelism strategy.26 But by 1978-1979 new strategies for evangelism were in place. The Canadian Board of Evangelism appointed an ex- ecutive secretary to assist congregations in church planting ministries and to assume responsibility for a Christian service program utilizing short-term ministries. The focus of the pro- gram was evangelism in Quebec and the Maritimes. A second projection was an emphasis on Church Growth Seminars.27 The U.S. Conference underwent a parallel shift. The Christian service program for the region was assumed by the Evange- lism Commission. Simultaneously the regional Home Mission Boards were encouraged to host seminars in church growth and church planting.28 "Discipleship Making '85" and its repeat program in 1988 in Canada provided special inspiration and instruction to pro- mote evangelism in church growth. A quarterly publication, Evangelism Canada, focused the needs and opportunities for the Canadian churches. An Antioch plan, based on an expo- sition of Acts 8, was adopted as the church growth plan for the 1990s. Also in Canada a new youth ministiy-MOne Hun- dred Program"- sent youth groups to assist new churches in local outreach.29 A close interrelationship with Evangelism Canada and Vision 2000-programs to evangelize the nation-provided a broad umbrella for increasing commitment to evangelism among the Canadian constituency.30 All of the activity did raise some questions and uncertain- ties. Reverses resulting from the over-emphasis on numerical growth came to light as instability was reported in various new churches. An important issue was the balance between a passion for growth and the matter of