Easy Iphone Evangelism?

Which (1 or more) of the following sayings would you be most likely to put on your phone?

  • If it's not worth dying for, it's not worth living for.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • If you live as if God doesn't exist, you better be right!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Choices not chance determine your destiny.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    1
  • Poll closed .
Ok, so, before anyone gets upset with me thinking that I'm demeaning and degrading the process of bringing people to Christ, let me assure you that is not my intention in the slightest.

Also, let me assure you that I'm not suggesting some sort of "electronic evangelism" that bypasses having actual, real relationships with those who need Christ. I'm not suggesting that either.

But, in the same way that the Church has embraced technology and innovation in the pursuit of spreading the Gospel as far and wide as possible in the hopes of reaching as many lost souls as possible in whatever manner we can, I see a new opportunity to do just that.

Many Christians get very nervous and anxious about starting a conversation with someone regarding their faith. Whether it be fear of ridicule or losing a friend or possibly fear of offending or mis-representing or poorly representing Christ and His salvation, it's not uncommon for us not to have these types of conversations at all.

Of course, many of these same Christians would be glad to have such a spiritual conversation if it was started by the other person. In fact, you see Christians all the time wearing T-shirts, hats, bracelets, necklaces, etc. to express their faith. For some of them it may be just that - an expression of their faith. However, for others, it is more than that - it's a direct invitation to others to have a spiritual dialogue. An easy way to start a conversation that they would love to have but may be nervous to start themselves.

So, I got to thinking recently upon starting a new business, that the product/service I'm offering to businesses would be just as effective in an evangelistic sense, if not moreso.

We product iphone skins for local companies, designed to be used like a loyalty card for the business. Good, repeat customers place the skin on the back of their phone, and it advertises for the business all day every day, everywhere they go. And, it advertises for them in a very positive, permissive sort of way. It says to all of that person's friends, "I like this business enough to put their advertisement on my phone".

As a reward for being willing to do so, the business offers the "wearer" of the skin special discounts or privileges at their establishment. A simple arrangement, but a very effective one for both parties concerned.

But, what if we used this same inexpensive advertising method to spread the gospel with thought provoking conversation starters? Create really unique and eye catching designs with thought provoking pictures and/or sayings that would likely encourage those who see them to ask a question or make a comment that becomes the opening to a spiritual conversation.

Something like, "Body piercing saved my life" or "If it's not worth dying for, it's not worth living for." or "Life without God is Like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."

There are all sorts of terrific ideas that could spark a conversation, and the skins are truly very inexpensive, just a couple bucks per skin (in fact, you actually get two skins for that price - one for an iphone and one more generic skin that could be put on just about anything).

Churches can purchase the skins for a couple bucks or less per skin, then offer them to church members for a suggested donation of $4 or $5 ( to help cover the cost for those who may want one but can't afford to pay for it). The cost to the church, in the end, would likely be nothing. The cost to any individual member of the church would be next to nothing for a really useful conversation starter that goes with you wherever you go, every single day (unlike a t-shirt or hat).

And, whereas a tattoo (which is becoming much more popular these days) can sometimes seem a little too "personal" for someone to ask about if they don't know you well, the skin on your phone doesn't come across that way at all.

I am curious how many of you would consider such a thing? Would you actually put a skin on the back of your phone with such a message for a donation of $4 or $5?

These are full color, nice looking skins. They don't "wrap" the phone. They are just a well-fitted decal that can be placed on the back of your phone or the case you have it in.

The adhesive is pretty strong. The skins hold well, but they can be removed at any time and will release cleanly without leaving behind a residue.

As an example of what can be done, you can check search Zazzle.com for religious skins. They are more expensive there, but it gives an idea of what can be done.

Also, not only would I be interested in knowing if you'd be willing to put such a skin on your phone, but also, which of the "sayings" below would you be most apt to use?

I'm hoping to use this information as a way to let churches know that there's interest in such a concept and that it could be very effective. Churches, of course, want to be good stewards of the resources the Lord has provided through their church members, and are often somewhat leary of doing something "new" and untested, for fear that they'll end up wasting the money.

If they saw that this is something that many people would have interest in, they might be more willing. In addition, knowing which of the sayings below you might be most willing to put on your phone would help us to know which ones to create designs for ahead of time, so that churches wouldn't have to come up with their own designs (although they can if they want).

Please let me know what you think. Many of my friends from church have indicated that they think it's a great idea, but I'm looking for some "outside" opinions.

Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Hi there; some of the phrases look good! :)

Whether I would put them on my phones I'm not sure; I used them both for business. In a sense it's a nice idea to think that customers have been permanently driven away for the sake of the testimony, but then I'm not sure everyone is called upon to use this means of evangelism either.

Blessings.
 
Just to clarify, I'm not looking for businesses to do this. The only reason I discussed the business angle was so that people had a bit of background regarding where this idea came from. The business side of this is completely different, and is actually an advertisement for the business itself, not an evangelistic message (unless a company decided they wanted to do that).

What I'm proposing here would be specific to individuals putting these skins on their phone specifically to advertise the gospel (or at least to spark a question that might start a spiritual conversation) with no connection to a business at all. Just a thought provoking message on the back of their phone that might encourage someone to ask a question or make a comment that sparks a conversation.

I hope that clarifies things.
 
BTW - Anyone who thinks this is an idea worth pursuing, if you'd be willing to "recommend" this thread to your friends through Facebook, Twitter or Google +, that would be awesome. I'd really love to get as much feedback as possible to make this as useful as possible for churches and church members (assuming that feedback shows this is even an idea I should consider pursuing further).
 
Just to clarify, I'm not looking for businesses to do this. The only reason I discussed the business angle was so that people had a bit of background regarding where this idea came from. The business side of this is completely different, and is actually an advertisement for the business itself, not an evangelistic message (unless a company decided they wanted to do that).

What I'm proposing here would be specific to individuals putting these skins on their phone specifically to advertise the gospel (or at least to spark a question that might start a spiritual conversation) with no connection to a business at all. Just a thought provoking message on the back of their phone that might encourage someone to ask a question or make a comment that sparks a conversation.

I hope that clarifies things.

Oh I know, yes; it just so happens that I am an independent contractor and so our phones are for both personal and business use.

There's a business up the road from us that answers the 'phone, instead, of with 'How may we help you?' or 'Yeah?', they say: 'This is Consolidated Knowitalls; we got this, that and the other great deals; so how may we help you?'

Blessings.
 
Gotcha. Yes, company phones would potentially be a different story, but I am interested in knowing what people would be willing to put on their personal phones and whether they think this is an idea that might work.
 
Gotcha. Yes, company phones would potentially be a different story, but I am interested in knowing what people would be willing to put on their personal phones and whether they think this is an idea that might work.

Michael:

Well, it's also a cultural thing, really.

Like for instance, you mentioned a phrase 'Body piercing saved my life': a young person with cartilage piercings or a navel barbell might well be caused to think about what is meant by the phrase. But then if a little old lady from church called to ask you or your wife about a recipe for the Thursday open house, she might think: Ooohh, did I call the right number? does it really sound reverent?

This isn't necessarily to express an opinion, but rather that it can be expect that different folks within cultural subgroups or agegroups might get widely different impressions.

So a phrase recording on a 'phone would probably need to be one which applies fairly well to people from many walks of life.

(Two cents'.)
 
Thank you for that, Farouk. Another clarification, though. These are skins/decals that would be placed on the back of the phone, not messages on voicemail. So, the "messages" above in the poll are messages that would PRINTED on a decal to fix to the back of the phone. Then, as you go about your day, people would SEE this message on the back of your phone and hopefully ask you about it, opening up the opportunity for a conversation.
 
Thank you for that, Farouk. Another clarification, though. These are skins/decals that would be placed on the back of the phone, not messages on voicemail. So, the "messages" above in the poll are messages that would PRINTED on a decal to fix to the back of the phone. Then, as you go about your day, people would SEE this message on the back of your phone and hopefully ask you about it, opening up the opportunity for a conversation.

Oh okay! Kind of, you are the 'gatekeeper' to your house and know who would be in your house to see the landline in the first place, I guess.

Blessings.
 
Actually, it's not for landlines, but for cellphones - specifically, for iphones, but also for other devices. That way, as you're walking around throughout your day, people are seeing the back of your phone as you're talking with people.
 
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