Catholic street witnessing?

[murphdog261]

(Sorry if this is the wrong spot for this)

My father goes to a non-denominational church, and they “street witness” every Saturday.

I took a look at the guidelines they follow, and its pretty heretical at parts. Here is the outline:

2 things I want to tell you:

1. God loves you and has an awesome plan for your life

1. If you were to die today, do you know for sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that you would go straight to Heaven?

If “No” or “I think so”, go with the script.

If “yes” say: Honestly, why would you say yes?

If they do not say “I have Jesus in my heart/ I am born again” go with the script.

3 more things:

1. All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God
2. Wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
3. Whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved”, and you’re “whosoever”.

prayer for them:

“Lord I pray that you bless ___and his family with long and healthy lives. Make Yourself so real to him…and if you would like to receive this free gift so you can know for sure without a shadow of a doubt, just say this with me:

Jesus
Come into my heart
Forgive me of my sins
Let me never be the same again
I turn my back on the world
I turn my back on sin
I give you my life right now
Help me fulfill everything you have called me to do
I thank you that I’m now forgiven and on my way to Heaven
In Jesus’ Precious Name
Amen

"As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, **I tell you today that all of your sins are forgiven right now! **Remember, when you make a mistake, don’t run from God run to Him because He loves you and He does have an awesome plan for your life. "

Now my question isn’t about the error in declaring the assurance of forgiven sins without confession, or about needing to know your justification in order to be justified.

My dad asked me to go out with him today, and I said I have a lot of homework (which is true), but I also don’t know if I can go out “street witnessing” with him, at least in the same way he does it.

1. Are there any Catholic practices that are related to what protestants call “street witnessing”?
2. Although telling the person that they are assured salvation, without a shadow of a doubt, after saying the sinner’s prayer, is wrong, is the whole practice of evangelizing incorrect?
3. Would it be possible for a catholic to go out on the streets and speak of the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ?

Certaintly, it is allowable to pray with someone on the street for their salvation through Christ, but not that they are assuredly saved?

Is there anything that I, a catholic laymen, can do that is like “street witnessing”?

 

[Harpazo]

(Sorry if this is the wrong spot for this)

My father goes to a non-denominational church, and they “street witness” every Saturday.

I took a look at the guidelines they follow, and its pretty heretical at parts. Here is the outline:

Now my question isn’t about the error in declaring the assurance of forgiven sins without confession, or about needing to know your justification in order to be justified.

My dad asked me to go out with him today, and I said I have a lot of homework (which is true), but I also don’t know if I can go out “street witnessing” with him, at least in the same way he does it.

1. Are there any Catholic practices that are related to what protestants call “street witnessing”?
2. Although telling the person that they are assured salvation, without a shadow of a doubt, after saying the sinner’s prayer, is wrong, is the whole practice of evangelizing incorrect?
3. Would it be possible for a catholic to go out on the streets and speak of the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ?

Certaintly, it is allowable to pray with someone on the street for their salvation through Christ, but not that they are assuredly saved?

Is there anything that I, a catholic laymen, can do that is like “street witnessing”?

Me and a fellow parishioner and the deacon at my Maronite parish have been doing what you’re talking about. We actually go down to the Strip Clubs first downtown and pray for the people there to turn away, sprinkling Holy Water around the area. Sometimes the owners come out and try to be smart alecs and upset us. Doesn’t work.

Then we’ll go downtown and try to stop people, politely of course, and explain to them that we’re sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We’re also passing out tracts from Catholic Answers, the God’s Love for You ones. We tell them that you must believe, repent and be Baptized, Christ left us a Church and that Church is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

If you’re looking for some good ways to share the Gospel, first pray a lot, go to Eucharistic Adoration if possible, brush up on your apologetics a lot, bring a Bible with you, and I recommend two good books for you to read prior to going.

Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ron Tacelli, SJ.

Search and Rescue by Patrick Madrid.

That should give you a start, leave the rest up to God.

Alaha minokhoun
Andrew

 

[grandfather]

(Sorry if this is the wrong spot for this)

My father goes to a non-denominational church, and they “street witness” every Saturday.

I took a look at the guidelines they follow, and its pretty heretical at parts. Here is the outline:

Now my question isn’t about the error in declaring the assurance of forgiven sins without confession, or about needing to know your justification in order to be justified.

My dad asked me to go out with him today, and I said I have a lot of homework (which is true), but I also don’t know if I can go out “street witnessing” with him, at least in the same way he does it.

1. Are there any Catholic practices that are related to what protestants call “street witnessing”?
2. Although telling the person that they are assured salvation, without a shadow of a doubt, after saying the sinner’s prayer, is wrong, is the whole practice of evangelizing incorrect?
3. Would it be possible for a catholic to go out on the streets and speak of the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ?

Certaintly, it is allowable to pray with someone on the street for their salvation through Christ, but not that they are assuredly saved?

Is there anything that I, a catholic laymen, can do that is like “street witnessing”?

You might want to research the Catholic Evidence Guild. Also google Frank Sheed and Mazie Ward.

 

[vocatio]

I believe Rosalind Moss is starting an order where she plans to do this. It’s wonderful work, but it takes a certain calling. Not everybody had the same gifts. Some of us are more like St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel always and when necessary use words”.