Evangelization Strategies

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We all know that living the Gospel is an essential. As a result many people will be drawn to the Holy Faith through our actions. Usually “actions speak louder than words.”

However, we also know that St. Francis said, “if necessary, use words.” I think it’s fair to say that it’s often necessary to use words. How many people do not equate our love and actions with our faith? I suspect most, and that’s a serious problem.

That’s the focus of this thread. What strategies have you used, or could you use that would help “get the ball rolling,” so that others may be receptive to discuss our faith?

Please share your own insights or successes. Here are some things I have used, or have thought to use.

Basic principle… Start out with “small talk,” show that your interested in their lives (because you genuniely are) by asking questions. Many people enjoy talking about themselves or sharing their opinions.

Here are some questions you can ask. Of course these are not lines you would typically “open” with…

(I’m sure there are multiple variations of each question.)

Do you have some kind of spirituality in your life?
Do you have an opinion on Christianity?
Do you belong to some kind of church?
Have you ever considered the love of Christ in your life?
Do you ever think about why we are here in this crazy world to begin with?
What’s your opinion on such and such an issue?

Something else we could do is interject with a brief personal testimony on how God got us through a tragic time, or how He transformed our life.

It’s a good idea to practice mental prayer through the interaction.

Perhaps one could end the conversation with giving the person a business card, an email address, or some kind literature in case they are open to hearing more.

At all times remain charitable. “You can’t give someone a beautiful rose to smell if you cut off their nose.” (Indian Proverb)

I welcome all your insights and/or success stories. The primary work the Church is evangelization.
 
I have the best…luck, I guess for a lack of a better word, when I don’t take such a direct approach. Anyone who talks with me for more than five minutes usually gets that I’m Catholic, for whichever reasons. They’ll see me wearing my St. Benedict medal and ask (if He’s showing) “Who’s That?” or they’ll see the side engraved with the prayers and ask what that’s for. An ambulance will go by and I’ll cross myself (it’s happened before when the ambulance is behind my friend and they think that I cross myself at them, interesting conversation LoL). I’ll say “I have to get up early for Mass tomorrow, so I gotta get going”. Actually most conversations stem from my saying “Sit nomen Domini benedictum” after someone takes the Lord’s name in vain. They’ll ask what it means, I’ll explain, they ask some other questions, and I notice that they almost always try and watch what they say after that.

Maybe after they ask that first question I’ll ask them “What do you believe?” A lot of the time they brush the question off at first, but from that point on I’m the ‘religious guy’ and they ask me questions when they want an answer to any religious question.
 
In real one-on-one sharing of faith, I have more often dealt with agnostics and atheists than Protestants. For the former, I can say that they really appreciate a solid knowledge of Catholic history. What do you say when they ask you about the Inquisition and the Crusades? What do you say when they ask you why God first chose one special people in the Old Testament? They also appreciate knowing the fresh kind of attitudes that grew out of the Second Vatican Council.

A great evangelical witness that comes to mind for me is our former Pope John Paul II. I’ve heard it said that at he would share his lunches everyday with people whose views were very different from what the Church teaches. And, even while knowing his positions, he would always listen with attentiveness and genuine compassion to what the other had to say. He was a person who understood the challenges of today’s society (also important in evangelizing) and was a strong model in faith, hope, and love. You can’t always share what he says in his writings to people who do not already have faith, but reading them yourself can give you the right attitude to go forth with in the midst of the rest of the world. Writings of his that come to mind are the book Crossing the Threshold of Hope and the encyclicals Fides et Ratio and Veritas Splendor. (Sorry, I don’t know how to work the italics. 😃 )
 
Rawb said:
I have the best…luck, I guess for a lack of a better word, when I don’t take such a direct approach. Anyone who talks with me for more than five minutes usually gets that I’m Catholic, for whichever reasons. They’ll see me wearing my St. Benedict medal and ask (if He’s showing) “Who’s That?” or they’ll see the side engraved with the prayers and ask what that’s for. An ambulance will go by and I’ll cross myself (it’s happened before when the ambulance is behind my friend and they think that I cross myself at them, interesting conversation LoL). I’ll say “I have to get up early for Mass tomorrow, so I gotta get going”. Actually most conversations stem from my saying “Sit nomen Domini benedictum” after someone takes the Lord’s name in vain. They’ll ask what it means, I’ll explain, they ask some other questions, and I notice that they almost always try and watch what they say after that.

Maybe after they ask that first question I’ll ask them “What do you believe?” A lot of the time they brush the question off at first, but from that point on I’m the ‘religious guy’ and they ask me questions when they want an answer to any religious question.
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Thanks… I appreciate the insights.

What does “Sit nomen Domini benedictum” mean and how do you go about explaining it to them?
 
JeannetteCML said:
In real one-on-one sharing of faith, I have more often dealt with agnostics and atheists than Protestants. For the former, I can say that they really appreciate a solid knowledge of Catholic history. What do you say when they ask you about the Inquisition and the Crusades? What do you say when they ask you why God first chose one special people in the Old Testament? They also appreciate knowing the fresh kind of attitudes that grew out of the Second Vatican Council.

A great evangelical witness that comes to mind for me is our former Pope John Paul II. I’ve heard it said that at he would share his lunches everyday with people whose views were very different from what the Church teaches. And, even while knowing his positions, he would always listen with attentiveness and genuine compassion to what the other had to say. He was a person who understood the challenges of today’s society (also important in evangelizing) and was a strong model in faith, hope, and love. You can’t always share what he says in his writings to people who do not already have faith, but reading them yourself can give you the right attitude to go forth with in the midst of the rest of the world. Writings of his that come to mind are the book Crossing the Threshold of Hope and the encyclicals Fides et Ratio and Veritas Splendor. (Sorry, I don’t know how to work the italics. 😃 )
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Amen sister! Yes, it’s important to have at least a basic understanding of some of these historical things.

You also mentioned listening. When someone is trying to share their opinion on something, acknowledging every word is in itself an act of love that evangelizes.

Good call!
 
What does “Sit nomen Domini benedictum” mean and how do you go about explaining it to them?
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Usually I say something along the lines of:

“It’s Latin for ‘Blessed is the name of the Lord’. The second commandment is ‘Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain’, so whenever someone takes the Lord’s name in vain I say it as reparation for how little we care about His name anymore.”

I have noticed, BTW, that family shows still do not take the Lord’s name in vain, but other than that everyone on TV says Our Lord’s name like it’s jellybeans falling from the sky. That family shows do not still gives me a little hope.
 
Rawb said:
Usually I say something along the lines of:

“It’s Latin for ‘Blessed is the name of the Lord’. The second commandment is ‘Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain’, so whenever someone takes the Lord’s name in vain I say it as reparation for how little we care about His name anymore.”
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This may be a dumb question, but why use the latin at all?
Why not just say “Blessed is the name of the Lord” when someone drops the name of Jesus disrespectfully? You’d still get their attention with the opportunity to explain why you said what you did.

With my teens, after they have long visits with their swearing cousins, when they’d slip up at home I’d say “Have mercy” or “help him/her”, basically turning their word into a prayer on their behalf. They knew why I did it and immediately apologized so it does work to use english.

I’m just wondering why the choice of latin when in the presence of people who don’t know the language.
 
YinYangMom said:
This may be a dumb question, but why use the latin at all?
Why not just say “Blessed is the name of the Lord” when someone drops the name of Jesus disrespectfully? You’d still get their attention with the opportunity to explain why you said what you did.

With my teens, after they have long visits with their swearing cousins, when they’d slip up at home I’d say “Have mercy” or “help him/her”, basically turning their word into a prayer on their behalf. They knew why I did it and immediately apologized so it does work to use english.

I’m just wondering why the choice of latin when in the presence of people who don’t know the language.
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Maybe because the Latin ensures a question or conversation, whereas an english statement can be ignored.

And Latin is really cool, too.
 
This may be a dumb question, but why use the latin at all?
Why not just say “Blessed is the name of the Lord” when someone drops the name of Jesus disrespectfully? You’d still get their attention with the opportunity to explain why you said what you did.
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Either way they probably would have to ask what I said, because I usually mumble it under my breath. If they say it again and again I generally get louder though. I use Latin however because that’s was how I first heard the practice being described. I still like using Latin when I pray sometimes because I feel like it’s a special family language in The Church, so it’s not just this one prayer that I say in Latin.

And yeah, Latin is just cool. 😉

I hear a lot of people using your tactic, however. I had a friend in High School who used that same tactic.
 
Thanks for everyone sharing their ideas. I wanted to let you know of a protestant TV show that may give you some ideas. It is on TBN and it’s called ‘The Way of the Master’. Kirk Cameron hosts it with another man, I believe his name is Ray Comfort. They show a segment on each show of how to engage people in a discussion. One technique is to ask someone if they come from a ‘christian background’. They also have a two or three step process in using the Ten Commandments to take a person from thinking they are a ‘good person’ to realizing that they have offended God. I didn’t have anything bad to say about this show until recently they showed Ray Comfort was shown in a town square with a crowd shouting lies our Christ’s beautiful Church. Just the usual diatribe about re-crucifying Jesus and working our way to heaven with ‘Hail Mary’s’. I pray for Ray occassionally, please join me in this noble venture.

The info they show can actually help bring to the fullness of faith.

PAX CHRISTI.
 
Colorado_Kid said:
Thanks for everyone sharing their ideas. I wanted to let you know of a protestant TV show that may give you some ideas. It is on TBN and it’s called ‘The Way of the Master’. Kirk Cameron hosts it with another man, I believe his name is Ray Comfort. They show a segment on each show of how to engage people in a discussion. One technique is to ask someone if they come from a ‘christian background’. They also have a two or three step process in using the Ten Commandments to take a person from thinking they are a ‘good person’ to realizing that they have offended God. I didn’t have anything bad to say about this show until recently they showed Ray Comfort was shown in a town square with a crowd shouting lies our Christ’s beautiful Church. Just the usual diatribe about re-crucifying Jesus and working our way to heaven with ‘Hail Mary’s’. I pray for Ray occassionally, please join me in this noble venture.

The info they show can actually help bring to the fullness of faith.

PAX CHRISTI.
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The guy loves God and means well, but he is an ignoramus. I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually ends up Catholic like all these former Protestant pastors coming into the Church.

Re-crucifying Jesus…

Working our way to heaven with Hail Mary’s…

:nope: Duh!
 
Colorado_Kid said:
Thanks for everyone sharing their ideas. I wanted to let you know of a protestant TV show that may give you some ideas. It is on TBN and it’s called ‘The Way of the Master’. Kirk Cameron hosts it with another man, I believe his name is Ray Comfort. They show a segment on each show of how to engage people in a discussion. One technique is to ask someone if they come from a ‘christian background’. They also have a two or three step process in using the Ten Commandments to take a person from thinking they are a ‘good person’ to realizing that they have offended God. I didn’t have anything bad to say about this show until recently they showed Ray Comfort was shown in a town square with a crowd shouting lies our Christ’s beautiful Church. Just the usual diatribe about re-crucifying Jesus and working our way to heaven with ‘Hail Mary’s’. I pray for Ray occassionally, please join me in this noble venture.

The info they show can actually help bring to the fullness of faith.

PAX CHRISTI.
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I don’t get TBN where I live. Did you get to see Common Ground when it aired in July???

I have seen the video and it is great! 2 of my non-denominational denomination attendee friends saw it and they said it cleared up some misconceptions they had about the Catholic Church!

Mimi
 
Well, a lot of my audience is “captive”, so to speak. However, once I can determine how someone is physically, I can then ask how they are doing spiritually. This will throw some for a loop-just let them know that their physical AND spiritual well being is your concern. Many will have a question after you ask this. All have seeking hearts, because the Lord gave them to us. It’s all a matter of what we are actually seeking (God), versus what we think we are seeking (temporal pleasures).

I advise that peace is a rare commodity in this world, but one that can be had for the asking, if one knows where to look for it. At some point, I segue into whether or not their parents were “church goers”. This takes them out of the spotlight and focuses their interest on someone they love-who probably is or was a church attendee. Once you establish that your subject is not attending, you can focus in a little more on just how their life is unfolding-and how it was back when they may have attended church. Ask them to compare the difference for themselves.

At such a preliminary point, I don’t worry about which denomination they are or were associated with, as imperfect worship certainly beats none at all. Many times, the conversation will come around to what my affiliation is. It is to my eternal shame that I have been somewhat hesitant to say. No more. I cannot hedge the truth! I must tell them, and nearly all are in one of two categories: they either are a fallen away Catholic, or have family/friend/co-workers who are.

I ask the Holy Spirit beforehand to speak through me and I am disappointed only at those times that I ask disingenuously. I am quick to tell those with interest that I am only a messenger and that God has sent me directly to them-He has. I let them know that if they hear me say anything that reflects wisdom or inspiration, it is the Holy Spirit speaking.

I also let them know that I consider myself to be “God’s crescent wrench”. That is, that I am only one of many tools in his toolbox. He takes me out when He has a use for me and puts me away when He is finished. Many will begin to thank me. I gently stop them and tell a short parable. “Suppose you have a leaky faucet. You call the plumber and he arrives to repair it. Once he’s done, do you pick up his wrench and thank it? No! You thank the plumber (God)”. This provides them with the source of their inspiration and me with some measure of humility. In his Goodness, the Lord does not often allow me to see the results of what he accomplishes using me. This grace helps prevent my ego from flaring up.

I have learned not to beat them over the head with anything. Just a patient exercise of love of neighbor will leave a lasting impression long after you are gone. My friend, who is a recovered crack cocaine/alcohol addict has convinced me that we need to start going door to door. We are looking into tracts to leave with the souls we touch, so that they may investigate on their own with NO PRESSURE. This is very similar in concept to after-hours car shopping. You can take a good look without feeling obligated or pestered.

I am just beginning to read Patrick Madrid’s Search and Rescue, which looks very promising. Between that and information available from pjpiisoe.org/ I think I may be able to undo some of the damage that my former life caused. God bless all of you who go forth, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
 
I travel for work a lot, so I’ve started leaving Our Sunday Visitor, and both sections of the Natl Catholic Register in airports, train stations, etc. People are always picking up things to read that have been left by other travelers.

Perhaps the papers will be tossed instead, but there’s a chance that one person may be moved.

In addition, I’ve been on yahoo answers answering religious questions. I’ve referred many people here! 2 of my replies were chosen as Best Answer.

Thinking outside of the box might start to pay off!
 
I’m with Sheeniac. There are a lot of bored people traveling on buses, planes, waiting in the Dentist office. I have slipped a youth ministry magazine into the stack in waiting rooms, and recently I left an evangelization business card in the Gideon’s bible in my hotel room. I created them for our confirmation class so that they would always have “something” with them to use in unexpected situations. There is not much space on a business card, so I did what I could. You can check it out here.
zazzle.com/catholic_evangelization_business_card-240960699616573919

I really wanted to put a basic four part Gospel message on it, as I had never heard of that until my 20’s. (not a Catholic version anyway).
I even put a link to catholic.com at the bottom on the back-side, there is so much helpful information here.

Also I sometimes can find a “point of entry” by talking about Dan Brown’s books/movies. Usually people are interested when I know some background about how ridiculous some of their claims are.

In Christ,
Dave
 
NewEvanglztn said:
I’m with Sheeniac. There are a lot of bored people traveling on buses, planes, waiting in the Dentist office. I have slipped a youth ministry magazine into the stack in waiting rooms, and recently I left an evangelization business card in the Gideon’s bible in my hotel room. I created them for our confirmation class so that they would always have “something” with them to use in unexpected situations. There is not much space on a business card, so I did what I could. You can check it out here.
zazzle.com/catholic_evangelization_business_card-240960699616573919

I really wanted to put a basic four part Gospel message on it, as I had never heard of that until my 20’s. (not a Catholic version anyway).
I even put a link to catholic.com at the bottom on the back-side, there is so much helpful information here.

Also I sometimes can find a “point of entry” by talking about Dan Brown’s books/movies. Usually people are interested when I know some background about how ridiculous some of their claims are.

In Christ,
Dave
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awesome!!!
 
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