J.C. Ryle’s Evangelistic Strategy

Posted on August 8, 2013 
Filed under History, Resources

Bishop J C Ryle“In April 1880, at the age of 64, John Charles Ryle was consecrated as the first Bishop of Liverpool, a new urban diocese carved out of the diocese of Chester. At a stage in life when many clergymen eagerly await retirement, he was launched into a fresh and demanding field of ministry.

He was already well-known on the national stage as a conference speaker and a prodigious writer of evangelistic tracts which sold in their millions. Since 1844 Ryle’s regular parish ministry had been in rural Suffolk, first in the village of Helmingham (with a population of only 287) and then at Stradbroke (one of the largest and wealthiest parishes in Norwich diocese, with a population of 1500). Liverpool was a completely new challenge…

Taking all the Christian denominations together, eighty per cent of the population still remained unchurched. …”

– Church Society has republished Andrew Atherstone’s terrific article “J.C. Ryle’s Evangelistic Strategy” (PDF file) from Churchman.

It’s full of encouragement and challenges for all Sydney Anglicans. Take the time to read it – and learn from John Charles Ryle. (And don’t forget the coming ‘Jesus Brings’ campaign.)