Drawing inspiration from their 2004 annual convention theme, the Diocese of Massachusetts convention steering committee produced and distributed a pocket-sized resource called “A Shy Person’s Guide to the Practice of Evangelism.”

“The focus on evangelism comes from our mission vision and mission strategy [which] in shorthand is ?Inviting, Forming, Sending, Serving,?” said Helen P. Netos, chief operating officer and director of Christian formation for the diocese. “We have 12 strategic goals that are primarily outwardly-focused initiatives which call for both congregational participation and coordinated diocesan-level action. We believe that congregations which participate in these initiatives will in fact grow as they join God’s mission, and we are supporting and encouraging that growth through a variety of means, like the guide, the welcome packet, special events and training [because] we wish to increase our average Sunday attendance by 50 percent by 2013.”

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The book, in an amusing way, examines the meaning of the word ?evangelism,? gives examples of how it is present in everyday life, and presents ideas on how to practice it.

“The entire subcommittee offered suggestions and edits to help create something small and unobtrusive?as befits shy people,” said Netos. “The response has been positive and people were chuckling and laughing out loud on the floor of the convention as they perused the booklet.”

Since then, the guide, which has been printed several thousand times, has been given to congregations, with at least one sending it to everyone in the congregation who pledged.

To obtain a copy of the guide, email hnetos@diomass.org – Episcopal News Service

This might be something we should investigate. Perhaps it can be adapted to Midwestern sensibilities? For example, it’s hard to invite your neighbor into a closer relationship with God, but it’s easy to invite them into a closer relationship with your dog.