Sarah Guldalian

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Sarah Guldalian Coordinator, Equipping to
ShareUnited States Ministries Lutheran Hour
Ministries
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What is MISSION U?

• A witnessing training course

• A four-part web series

• From Lutheran Hour Ministries the Southeastern
  District

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What is its purpose?
To provide participants with

• Training for everyday witnessing

• Coaching for numerous scenarios

• Practice in detailed approaches

Desired result Participant confidence
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What does the name mean?
Implies university-style

• Detailed curriculum

• Seminar-style presentation

• In-class groups and on-line interaction

• Out-of-class study and projects

• On-line professor office hours

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What does the name mean?
The major emphasis in this university is
MISSION
How to successfully fulfill your mission as
Christs chosen disciple and ambassador.
You will understand who you are in Him and be
educated to utilize the gifts He has provided
you.
As a graduate, you will share boldly and
frequently.
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The goal of MISSION U
At the end of this series, participants will

• Have increased confidence as His witness.

• Recognize and identify the individuality of
  others.

• Express and relate the Gospel to individual
  people in individual settings.

• Realize their unique God-given gifts.

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How will MISSION U accomplish this?

• Facilitator training

• Group discussion

• Ongoing practice

• On-line resources

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When is it?
Session Dates

• Saturday, August 29th
• Saturday, September 12th
• Saturday, January 9th
• Saturday, February 13th

Time 900 a.m. Noon
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Where is it?
Join us in-person or on-line!
Live broadcasts
8/29 Prince of Peace in Springfield, VA 9/12
St. Stephens in Hickory, NC 1/9 St. Andrew in
Silver Spring, MD 2/13 Trinity in Richmond, VA
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MISSION U Objectives
As a result of this program, participants will be
able to

• Determine the best approach for sharing with an
  individual.

• Start meaningful conversations.

• Know when to refrain.

• Share their personal faith story.

• Share their faith in the face of opposition.

• Share their faith in more than 10 types of
  scenarios.

• Share the Gospel clearly.

• Be prepared with answers to tough questions.

• Engage in effective outreach to the unchurched.

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Questions?
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MISSION U at a glance
Calling all witnesses! We are living in a
post-Christian nation

• 1990 86 self-identified Christian

• 2008 Just 76

BUT only 6 hold Christian beliefs!
2008 American Religious Identification Survey
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Christian Decline In Your District
1990 2008
DE 59 48
PA 56 46
MD 61 49
NC 86 73
SC 88 73
VA 76 65
DC 71 59
2008 ARIS
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Difficulties We Face
In our culture

• A spiritually apathetic generation
• Combating cultural stigmas

Our own

• Apathy and lethargy
• Fear
• Lack of training

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Overcoming Obstacles
To overcome an obstacle

• Identify it.

• Find the root.
• What is causing the opposition?
• What apprehensions lie at the base?

• Address misgivings.

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Overcoming Obstacles
To overcome generational hurdles

• Study each generation.

• Learn their characteristics.

• What difficulties have they faced?

• What prosperity have they encountered?
  Economically? Professionally? Domestically?

• What religious attitude personifies them?

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A Question for YOU
What witnessing obstacles need to be addressed
personally, congregationally or district-wide?
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Session 1 Topics

• Why Share?

• Introducing Faith into a Conversation

• The urgency of sharing today

• Connecting with Others

• Foundation What to Share

• The Holy Spirits Help

• Starting Conversation

• Various Witnessing Styles

• Pauls Testimony Known Told

• Who I Am

• Sharing Your Story

• Who They Are

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Session 2 Topics

• Spiritual worldviews

• Overcoming fears

• Generational worldviews

• Lifestyle evangelism

• Christianity in TV and Film

• Helping the needy

• Media Reports U.S. Religion

• Servant Evangelism

• Cultural Issues

• Reaching the dechurched

• Witnessing in the Public Forum

• Congregational outreach

• Difficulties and Hindrances

• USM program help

• Opposition

• Christmas Outreach

• Spiritual Warfare

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Session 3 Topics

• Recognizing Mission Moments

• Sharing with a child

• Love and Forgiveness

• Sharing with a Friend

• Sharing the Gospel Clearly

• Evangelism to Men

• Brief Encounters

• Evangelism to Women

• Major Life Events

• Workplace Evangelism

• Everyday Examples

• Sharing On-line

• Long-term Relationships

• Discipleship

• Sharing with a Family member

• Responding to Yes!

• Prayer

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Session 4 Topics

• What Doesnt Work

• Learning from conversations gone wrong

• What Not to Say

• Dealing with Objections

• Dont Dive Head-first

• Beware Deceptive Philosophies

• Dont Judge

• Answers to Tough Questions

• Appropriate timing

• Apologetics

• When to Refrain

• Whats next?

• Missed opportunities

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Registration for MISSION U
Contact Cathy LongSoutheastern District
Office800-637-5723clong_at_se.lcms.org