Yeah, I know this is my "intro" thread and is supposed to be all about introducing myself, but I imagine that people will get to know me, who I am, what I love and what I think as I interact on the forum. So, instead, I thought I'd just post something that might spark a conversation without being super controversial.
I think we make "evangelism" into something it doesn't need to be - something scary, lofty and meant only for those who are "more mature in their faith", when, in reality, evangelism should be easy, enjoyable and effortless.
Sure, evangelism will occur through somewhat "contrived" settings like church sermons, revival meetings and such, but the most effective evangelism will be that which "organically" grows out of simply building relationships with people, serving them and striking up normal conversations with them.
There's an old saying that most of us have heard, but need to be reminded of often: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
They don't care that you know Christ or that you think THEY should know Christ until they know that you genuinely care about them and they're not just another "notch" in your evangelistic slingshot.
Serve people. Say hi to them. Make an effort to interact with them. Brainstorm new ways to stimulate natural conversation with unbelievers so that you can build a relationship with them.
Often, it doesn't take that long to begin to build trust with someone if they can genuinely tell that you are interested in them and are not simply out to judge them.
What say you, brothers and sisters in Christ? Why are we all so nervous and anxious about spreading the gospel, and why do we often leave it up to the "experts" instead of getting out there and interacting with those who so badly need Christ? It's actually kinda fun when we stop worrying what people might think and simply focus on loving people, as we are called to do.
I think we make "evangelism" into something it doesn't need to be - something scary, lofty and meant only for those who are "more mature in their faith", when, in reality, evangelism should be easy, enjoyable and effortless.
Sure, evangelism will occur through somewhat "contrived" settings like church sermons, revival meetings and such, but the most effective evangelism will be that which "organically" grows out of simply building relationships with people, serving them and striking up normal conversations with them.
There's an old saying that most of us have heard, but need to be reminded of often: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
They don't care that you know Christ or that you think THEY should know Christ until they know that you genuinely care about them and they're not just another "notch" in your evangelistic slingshot.
Serve people. Say hi to them. Make an effort to interact with them. Brainstorm new ways to stimulate natural conversation with unbelievers so that you can build a relationship with them.
Often, it doesn't take that long to begin to build trust with someone if they can genuinely tell that you are interested in them and are not simply out to judge them.
What say you, brothers and sisters in Christ? Why are we all so nervous and anxious about spreading the gospel, and why do we often leave it up to the "experts" instead of getting out there and interacting with those who so badly need Christ? It's actually kinda fun when we stop worrying what people might think and simply focus on loving people, as we are called to do.