As I said, Friday, I want to spend some time dialoguing about influencing others for Christ through intentional relational efforts.
Many people fear the term evangelism. Most fear the term evangelist. I have a friend in the ministry who while flying has two distinct ways in which he answers the question, “what do you do for a living”? If he feels like talking he says “I’m a minister.” If he does not feel like talking he says “I am an evangelist.” That’s a guaranteed way to bring a conversation to a grinding halt. In speaking about evangelism Рthe process of imparting the gospel message РI want to tell you what I was and what I have become.
I was a facts based evangelist. I worked and worked to hone a specific set of points and scriptures to 5 minutes or less. I was capable of throwing out the information in a quick amount of time and pressing for the individual to make a decision. I even adapted a whole evangelistic outline and taught others how to join the Jesus sales team.
Isn’t that odd that we would seek to pressure someone to make a life-long decision based on 5 minutes or 20 minutes worth of facts? Granted, there may be times when 5 minutes is all you have. Confrontational evangelistic tactics, in my opinion, distort not only the gospel of Christ but impede a genuine response to Christ.
Now I am one who seeks to share Jesus Christ through intentional relational efforts. My efforts are focused on my neighbors, parents of school friends, parents on our children’s sports teams. Being involved in varying levels of their life. My aim is to live among them as one who believes. I don’t believe I need to have all the facts or know all the answers. I just need to allow Christ to be seen through me. I’m not perfect but I try to be genuine.
There is a world of difference between being perfect and being genuine. I’m trying to be salt that falls from the shaker and not the salt lick. I’m trying to be a ray (or should I say Wray) of light that falls into the corner of their room and not a flood light. I’m trying to be the kind of light that attracts not the kind that draws the bugs in and kills them on contact.
A few of us are gathering on Thursday nights for a small group Bible study. Starting this week, we will be working through a series entitled “Going Public With Your Faith” by William Carr Peel and Walt Larimore. In the introduction of this series the authors speak about the kind of followers who are effective in sharing Jesus Christ.
These followers of Jesus in the workplace are passionate about their faith. They love to talk to people about Jesus. But their motive is not to proselytize. Rather it is to discover what God is already doing in someone’s life and to join that effort. It is to show Jesus to those with whom they work, not to sell Jesus or force him on others. It is to help others become new creations, not to coerce people to “change religions.”
Intentional relational efforts that Christ may be seen and shared. More on this tomorrow.
Randy Wray
September 26th, 2005 at 10:37 am
A few years ago, there were some classes being taught on “friendship evangelism.” I thought the precepts were very good, and I believe your stance is very valid. There is an old Southern saying, “you can attract more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.” Kindness and caring and quietly letting our lights shine have far more merits than trying to cram the NT down someone’s throat. We all sometimes forget that all we are required to do is plant the seed, and God gives the increase. Several years ago, I became aware that I could be somewhat abrasive with topics than I am passionate about, and I kind of thought I heard the Lord telling me to just be quiet and live an example.
I will look forward to your further comments on this.
September 26th, 2005 at 10:42 am
“Going Public” is a terrific series. We worked through it earlier this year to some very positive response. It’s the kind of series that has to be reinforced, though, and often. It encourages us to be open with our walk but we must stay open all the time.
I think you’ll enjoy it. I’m anxious to hear more thoughts as you go along. And I’ll be praying for the souls you encounter along the way. Intentionally.
September 26th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
Having gone through the “Jesus team” from several perspectives, the one that sticks in my mind (and somewhat in my throat)was some guy by the name of Stewart who not only had the quick facts approach, but had a paper-trail process for accountability and follow up, one needed an advanced degree in accounting just to do the administrative work!
Though I’ve tried to use the sales team approach, the only people I’ve ever brought to the Lord have been through relationship. And they’ve stayed.
I’m looking forward to your next blog.
September 26th, 2005 at 12:46 pm
I recently heard a preacher say, “We need to “confront” people with the Gospel.” The first thought that came to my mind when I heard him was how do you “confront” people with “good news?”
Isn’t “good news” something to be shared with those you love? In other words, people you have relationships with. Sounds like you and the small group are on the right track. May God bless your efforts.