One of the themes in the book I am reading (unChristian) is that Christians put too much emphasis on converting people to their way of thinking. This is a barrier to many people on the outside of the Christian faith.
Think about it, how do we react when the Mormons or the JW’s come to our door? We usually say exactly the same thing! “They’re looking to convert people to their religion” or “I just don’t want to talk with them, I don’t want what they’re selling.” Just as I would never take their invitation to consider their religion seriously, why would I think anyone would do the same when I knock on their door “peddling the truth?” (That is in quotes because do not all religious groups claim to have the truth?). The barrier is that there is no relationship established.
One story in the book was about a guy that moved across the country to NYC. He met another guy in town and they had a good conversation. The New Yorker was friendly, something the guy from out west did not expect. Eventually the Christian guy from NYC invited the newcomer to a Bible study. When he said, “no thanks” he never heard from the Christian guy again.
Wow, that sure emphasizes a negative side of Christians! Are they looking for the next convert; a notch on their conversion belt? Or are they genuinely interested in people?
I was on a business trip to China when I found a fellow believer who was teaching in a school in Shanghai. She told me a fascinating story about her work, the children, the city and the new friends she had met since arriving in town. Since it is not illegal to be a Christian, she would tell her friends (in the normal conversations of life) that she was a follower of Jesus. One new friend said, “You only want me to believe like you do.” The teacher corrected her and said, “I want to be friends whether you believe like me or not.” Great answer!
I’m convinced that Christianity is more caught than taught; living a life that honors God and hope that people see our sincere love for God shining through. Hopefully in the normal conversations of life, we will find opportunities to put in a good word for Jesus, not because we want to convert people, but because it is hard to keep silent about the greatest thing that has ever happened to us!
might be that attraction rather promotion is the key…if your life is working for you most people will come to your source of faith.otherwise it’s blah,blah,blah
Bingo! Attraction….not promotion. Do people want what we have? If so then we can tell them how to get it.
My favorite quote (and I’m paraphrasing) is, “Evangelize constantly, and occasionally use words.”
This was an interesting post. Lot’s to think about. I for one think we as Christians would probably have more of an impact on those people’s lives that yes, we are involved with, know, and care about.
I think too that sometimes our lives can be more of a witness without having to say anything. Or… perhaps just by observing us, those who don’t know Christ should at least be able to see the difference in our lives without our having to announce it.
That said, I also believe in the need to evangelize. I mean, what were the apostles doing and Paul? They were preaching a message; the gospel of Christ and why were they doing it with such an urgency and the boldness that they did? Because souls are at stake. Afterall, that’s why Christ came – not so that we could have comfortable lives in religion but to save the lost and I think we must always keep this in mind. All throughout the New Testement this is the message; proclaim Christ! If we believe as the apostles did, that without Christ people will perish then yes, we need to tell them. By shoving it down their throats? No. But as God gives us opportunity. Like I said, lots to think about.
Thanks for your time and responses. I, too, really like the St. Francis line to “Preach Christ, and if necessary, use words.” Also, since souls are at stake, there are times that we must use words to communicate the hope we have in Christ, especially when we see hopelessness or despair in another person.
There is a need for verbal evangelism and I’ve had plenty of opportunity being a missionary in Africa for five years, but there is still a tension between talk and walk. Some people think we should only let our light shine through our actions, which usually means, “I don’t usually talk about spiritual stuff,” AKA, lifestyle evangelism. Lifestyle is essential to a watching world, but it is not to be done solo.
The point is that we need to look for opportunities to put in a good word for Jesus, and take it when it is there. That’s what Paul did in a culturally relevant way… like in Athens (Acts 17:16-29). After seeing all the idols around town, he used a natural observation to bring up the topic of spirituality. “I perceive you to be religious men, I saw the altar to the unknown God, and so let me tell you this unknown God’s name and what He did for you…”
The unChristian book is fascinating in that it describes those outside of the church in a way that really makes you think like an outsider. Where we see the urgency to proclaim Christ; the outsider does not. If we come on too strong we might push the person farther away, while more relationship and nurture might bring understanding. Research shows that visitors at the door are usually a turn off.
I appreciate this posting very much, and when I was a Christian I would have agreed with it whole-heartedly” Now, as an unbeliever, I’m somewhat annoyed by my wife’s and friends’ avoidance of verbal apologetics. They don’t know what to do with me, because relationship obviously wasn’t enough.
So I agree that relationship is extremely important, but you won’t convert anyone without some form of verbal evangelism.
It is hard for me as well to keep quiet about the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, but my wife and friends feel that I’m ridiculing their faith when I do so. Close relationships between believers and unbelievers are very difficult. 🙁