What is 3e Impact?

3e Impact is an association of churches, individuals, and organizations who recognize the need for apologetics and strong biblical Education, worldview Engagement, and bold Evangelism. We desire to provide vision, resources, and training to connect like minded churches together with other ministries in order to equip you for maximum Impact in your local communities. In a world desperately in need of light let us reflect the Light of Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross.

The Need

There is already much content and forward direction in the apologetics enterprise. However, there is a lack of cohesion as a movement. The methods of propagation need to be re-evaluated and enhanced if effective implementation of apologetics, evangelism, and biblical worldview analysis is to happen in the local church. There is a great need to initiate leadership development of key leaders and pastors that can become ambassadors to their churches, communities, and cities.

5 Keys

Individuals, families, churches, and academia are primary influences in society. It is vital that these four areas have solid foundations. Apologetics in the ministry of defending foundations, worldview is the ministry of explaining the interaction with alternative ideas, and evangelism is the ministry of sharing sure foundations and The Living Answer to those in need.

The fifth key is that of Christ led collaboration. Though various ministries, denominations, and individuals have unique gifts and areas of ministry a lack of communication and common ministry support hinder the work of the Gospel. Working with other believers in Christ must be intentionally cultivated, particularly in areas of common concern.

With these values in mind Southern Evangelical Seminary is partnering with many ministries to focus a college ministry (www.Ratio Christi.org) specifically dealing with intellectual issues.

Individuals, and churches can find a wide range of apologetics/worldview/evangelism ministries via the resource center at www.ApologeticsDirectory.com

3e Impact is a way for like minded ministries to provide resources and continuity to local churches in the area of Education (Apologetis), Engagement (Worldview), and Evangelism.

3e Impact

This association is based on 3 important values that need attention in churches.

1) Christians must understand their faith.

2) They must live in the world, but not of it.

3) They must have compassion and understanding for their neighbor who need saving faith in Jesus Christ.  

Full impact will only be possible when the rational, righteousness, and the relational are combined. Explaining truth, living it out, and loving others is a powerful combination.

We see this explained in I Peter 3:15-16: ". . . But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, [righteousness] always being ready to make a defense [rational] to everyone who asks you to give an account [rational] for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence [ relational]; and keep a good conscience [righteousness] so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ [righteousness] will be put to shame." These three values are coordinated and inseparable. Below are several other ways to communicate these principals.  

Three Key Elements of Evangelism

*1 - from Stand to Reason (www.str.org)    

*2 - This chart should not be taken to imply a tricotomist view of human nature.

We call this combination of three values Apologetics Discipleship. Obviously, there is much more to Christian discipleship than these three principals, but without them individuals and churches are missing key components of what Christ has called us to. They must all work together in concert for fully effective outreach to unbelievers. If one is lacking the others will not operate as they should. Without careful thinking and an accurate message non-believers will have supposed grounds for rejection of God, the Bible, and the Resurrection. Without moral integrity, the charge of hypocrite gives people an emotional smoke screen to reject the message. Without honest interest in their lives, your neighbors will have no personal desire to hear the message regardless of its truth.

This does not mean keep them "in balance" with 33% of each. Jesus is our example. He was "full of grace and truth." There is no need to neglect one to have the other. And neither are any of these three values "responsible" for making anyone put their faith into Christ. No one can be reasoned into heaven. No one can be impressed into heaven. And no one can be loved into heaven. But each of them are tools the Holy Spirit uses to elliminate excuses and bring the will to the foot of the cross.

So, the task before us is to Educate the church . . . Engage the Culture . . . and Evangelize the World.  

That’s what 3e Impact is all about.

Mission Statement

With a central focus on the person of Jesus Christ and a complete dependence on his grace 3e seeks to:

Educate and Equip the Body of Christ with a reasoned defense of the truth, to Engage the culture in love, and to effectively Evangelize those without Christ.

Do this by sharing common goals and resources with other Christians in a collaborative effort to plant in local churches effective ministries focused on a biblically mandated defense of the Christian faith, a proper understanding of the Christian worldview, and an effective evangelistic effort to the society in which we live.

Background

Seeing that the disciplines of the Christian mind have not been properly appreciated in relation to Christian discipleship

Knowing that lack of understanding hinders the ability to effectively engage the world

Perceiving that evangelism would be enhanced with a better understanding of how to attractively and boldly present the truth

Realizing that the Church is the Body of Christ and is the chosen instrument of His divine purpose, and

Understanding the principles of greater strength through unity and mutual support within the Body

3e Impact will:

Pursue the planting of point-persons, cell groups, and pastors within churches that will focus on the areas of apologetics, worldview training, and evangelism.

Provide a starting point for individuals and teams that desire to implement an 3e initiative in their church.

Develop partnerships with apologetic, worldview, and evangelism ministries to promote the importance and methods of starting a local church 3e cell or similar.

Providing access to the resources of a wide variety of available ministries via a centralized access point.

Giving direct training and consultation to churches wishing to start a 3e initiative.

Make available financial discounts, free resources, subscriptions, training, and other benefits for members.

Start a 3e Impact Campaign in your church!