There is a healthy way to introduce friends and neighbors to the faith. For far too long, Christians would happen upon a person who really needs to hear our Good News, and instead of hearing the Good News, they felt attacked and threatened. Attacked because they were presented not with the Good News, but with some sort of presentation of what a “good” Christian is or believes; threatened because they were made to feel … inferior. This is not a healthy presentation of the faith. It’s a fine approach, if you want to be interpreted as an antagonistic, or worse yet, a slick marketer or salesperson. Start with authentic friendship first; talk faith as it comes up naturally in the course of the friendship.
Yes, there may be occasions when a direct approach to evangelism is warranted. When those times arise - and they will - then act as the Holy Spirit leads. More often than not, however, you will be called on to be a mature Christian and actually seek friends before you seek converts. Christian maturity means learning to differentiate between occasions. So, work on differentiating.
2 Comments
Shawn, that is so very true. Far to many people are counting the conversions they make and not the conversations they have. If we are to make a difference we need to be their friend not there preacher.
That’s it, Nick. Seriously, I wonder how many of those counted conversions actually survive the long haul that is deep discipleship?