It's no news that the Christian culture sometimes doesn't do the best job at engaging nonbelievers, and there's a pretty obvious culture clash in America. A recent article from The Christian Science Monitor tells one story of a man seeking to build bridges with those without faith.
Jim Henderson of Off the Map (please check the site out if you haven't) is a former pastor who realized that most people never come to church and now is on a mission to help other Christians realize why evangelistic efforts turn people away. If nothing else, his resources are a great discussion starter and thought-provoker.
FaithVisuals.com actually has a free, downloadable video from Off the Map called Three Minutes With Three Lost People.
8 comments:
Hi,
It's too bad Jesus didn't have Jim Henderson to tell him that "evangelistic efforts turn people away" when He was giving the Great Commission. Eleven of the twelve apostles and all of the Christian martyrs wouldn't have had to give their lives if they only would have known that they were evangelizing all wrong.
Thanks,
Bill
Bill,
I had a long response written to your comment, but then I went and read your blog. I don't think my comment would be all that beneficial because we clearly have a vastly different understanding of the Christian life, the gospel, and the reasons why the gospel took such a hold in the first two centuries AD.
I do not dispute that there are times when God uses "cold evangelism," and I don't even dispute there are times when we are called to it. We need to always be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit because God is at work in people long before we come to them.
You have heard all the reasons I have a problem with your position before, I am sure. So instead of saying a bunch of things you've already heard I will only raise one. You referenced the Great Commission. "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
Cold evangelism does not make disciples (most of the time). It makes people who believe they are saved from hell without ever evidencing their conversion through their lives. This has been a major contributor to the lukewarm state of the Church in the United States which has made us impotent. What will continue to "turn the world upside down" (as you said in your blog) are communities of believers who actually live what Jesus taught. This will include being very open about the reason for the hope that they have. The beauty of the early church is that people came to them because they were so different. If we made disciples like that then maybe you would be able to tell someone was a Christian (something you said on your blog you can't).
Trevor,
How do you know that "cold evangelism doesn't make disciples?" How do you know "it makes people who believe they are saved from hell without ever evidencing their conversion through their lives?" It seems like the Bible conflicts with your thoughts (Acts 2:41, John 4:1-26, etc.).
Certainly evangelism of any kind can result in false conversions if it's not done properly. Isn't that just a reason for you to figure out the proper way and then go do it? Where do you think you might look to learn where to do it properly?
No one seeks God (Romans 3:10-12). The world thinks Christians are lame for not having sex before marriage, praying before meals, tithing, and a hundred other things. No one wants to be a Christian, unless God is drawing them to Himself, because they're enemies with God (Colossians 1:21).
The early church was out on the street preaching the gospel. (Read the book of Acts.) God's Word is a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) that will cut regardless of whether someone believes in it. The power of the gospel is not in the sower, it's in the seed.
Take a look at Romans 10:14-15, and Mark 16:15. If you still disagree, your quarrel is with the Bible--not me.
Thanks,
Bill
Bill,
I trust that God will use both of our efforts at disciple-making as we both pursue it faithfully to the best of our abilities. And I truly mean that.
Bill,
I think you are spending too much time pontificating on your blog and this one when you could be out evangelizing. WWJD?
Remember the 2nd sentance in 1 Corinthians 8:1.
Thanks,
James
...remember the 2nd sentence...
Sorry about the spelling, I went to a small Christian school where we focused on evangelism instead of speling.
Trevor,
I've read the interchange of comments on various blogs, and I wanted to say that I sincerely apologize for any parts of my messages that may have come across as disrespectful.
I guess I'm just very passionate about this and sometimes that comes across wrongly. (If you knew me in person you would know that I'm not a confrontational or angry person in the least.)
I've found that people are scared of dying, and they're open to talking about what the Bible says. The vast majority of the time, there is nothing confrontational about these conversations, and I walk away believing that I have made a new friend.
My only hope in this conversation was to inspire people to be bolder in sharing their faith.
Thanks,
Bill
I may be too late for anyone to check back here now, but in case I'm not...
Bill, thanks for your comment at the end. A part of my bias is that in my experience people who have come across the way I perceived your first two comments are not very open to discussion, just argument. Discussion, however, is essential among believers.
We are in great need of people who are passionate about faith in Jesus Christ and seeing others have that faith as well, so I am glad for your passion!
Blessings.
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