Paul encouraged Timothy to do the work of an evangelist, even when unfavourable times led people with itchy ears to follow social gurus rather than gospel promises. In today's unfavourable times, with church attendance at all time lows and congregations facing disillusionment and decline, what might evangelistic preaching look like in a mainline liberal Protestant context like The United Church of Canada? This thesis explores how evangelistic preaching, through a Celtic inspired model and by the Spirit's power, shapes a Christian community and its members for personal transformation and social action by reflecting Christ's love for the world through hospitality, study, conversion and testimony. While based on research at St. Matthew's Church, a historic, urban congregation in Belleville, Ontario, the homiletical insights of this congregational approach to evangelism have a wider application for the universal church today.
