How do YOU evangelize?

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Well how do you?

 

[robwar]

They say actions speak louder than words.
have a good day!

 

[cheezey]

Well how do you?

Simple.
Example.

 

[TimothyH]

I bring up Jesus often in conversation. Here in the south people speak about their faith openly and without shame. It is common to see people praying in public. People do these things very naturally down here. I bring up Jesus or the Church or something the Holy Father said.

I also like to do nice things for people. When they thank me I reply with “Well, I’m Christian. That’s how Christians are supposed to treat each other, right? I can’t very well call myself a Christian and not actually act like one, can I?” This often leads to conversations.

Or I might quote scripture in response to a situation or something someone says.

In general, I look for opportunities to bring up my faith or the Bible or talk about Jesus with individuals I come across on a daily basis.

-Tim-

 

[MacQ]

I think I read today posts on other threads about how NOT to do it.
Alarmed and appalled when I read Catholics sounding like the Jack Chick crowd…advocating getting in people’s faces and telling them they’re going to hell because you know they are gay or are unbelievers…removing and destroying others’ literature to keep people from reading it.

I think we best evangelize by living our faith…radiating joy, peace, patience, wisdom, and above all, LOVE. Having that something that others want.
Pope Francis said it’s not a quick thing. Indeed it may take decades.

In my experience, people come to Catholicism for several reasons:
They sense something missing at their church
The new pastor has a different theology than the last one in the same church
Their church has adopted popular culture and abdicated some former deep beliefs
They have an existential crisis and recognize the need for faith, and…
They met Catholics who were loving people

 

[cheezey]

Well how do you?

How do YOU?!!

 

[cheese_sdc]

removing and destroying others’ literature to keep people from reading it

Well heck, I’m not even Christian and I throw Chick tracks away. They’re not fit for human consumption. lol

 

[MacQ]

Well heck, I’m not even Christian and I throw Chick tracks away. They’re not fit for human consumption. lol

Yes, they’re pretty vile.
I would certainly throw them away if delivered to me.
But I wouldn’t sneak around and try to remove them from other people’s property.

 

[cheezey]

I am still chuckling to myself about Jack Chick.

Really and truly thought something far different when I joined CAF.



BTW: I do not start converations to evangelize, but I will answer questions to possibly do so.
I am so lousy at expressing myself verbally that I’d prefer example.

 

[CruceSignati]

Example mostly. I try to have joy in all that I do, because when people see joy in someone, even when that person is doing some lowly task, they know there is something truly different about that. Curiousity will get em’.

I also tend to bring Christ and the saints into conversation a lot when I’m with my fellow Catholics. I was rather stunned when someone pointed out that I had just brought Jesus into the conversation twice in 5 minutes…my bad…

 

[cheezey]

Example mostly. I try to have joy in all that I do, because when people see joy in someone, even when that person is doing some lowly task, they know there is something truly different about that. Curiousity will get em’.

I also tend to bring Christ and the saints into conversation a lot when I’m with my fellow Catholics. I was rather stunned when someone pointed out that I had just brought Jesus into the conversation twice in 5 minutes…my bad.…

That’s just terrible of you!!!
Oh, the nerve!!



Of course, I am kidding.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

I think the “I evangelize with my actions” schtick is getting old. It’s true that we need to preach the gospel with our actions, but in a culture like this our actions do not speak for themselves. People just think observant Catholics are insane, which is not a good advertisement.

We need to do three things:

(1) Go where we’re uncomfortable.
(2) Get to know the people there.
(3) Tell them about how Jesus has transformed us.

I will be the first to admit that I have not done this enough. But this is what Biblical evangelism is. If people had never done this, there would be no Church.

(Good question, though, Hoosier!)

 

[RedFox0456]

I think the “I evangelize with my actions” schtick is getting old. It’s true that we need to preach the gospel with our actions, but in a culture like this our actions do not speak for themselves. People just think observant Catholics are insane, which is not a good advertisement.

We need to do three things:

(1) Go where we’re uncomfortable.
(2) Get to know the people there.
(3) Tell them about how Jesus has transformed us.

I will be the first to admit that I have not done this enough. But this is what Biblical evangelism is. If people had never done this, there would be no Church.

(Good question, though, Hoosier!)

I chose other, because none of the options quite fit. I am more than willing to have my actions back to my words, but you are correct. We need to actually profess what it means to be Catholic. That said, I don’t go door-to-door, either. I have however, had plenty of conversations with strangers when I’m out and about! The most impactful moments come from being kind or helping them out with something even after they totally disagree. I still remember when I simply bought someone a beer after he was yelling about the Church. The tone of the conversation totally shifted and he was so much more open to really learning about our faith. His parting words to me were, “You know, I could really get behind your kind of Catholicism!”

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

You probably all see this when you sign in but.
catholic.com/blog/trent-horn/evangelizing-mormons

 

[Charlemagne_III]

I evangelize by telling people the kinds of truths they clearly don’t want to hear.

Isn’t that how Jesus evangelized in the temple?

I try not to use a whip.

 

[Holly3278]

I share the Gospel with my life, online on several Facebook pages I manage, and with words.

 

[Pancras]

Well how do you?

I can’t tell you because I can’t vote. Sorry, must be rules or whatever.
.

 

[ajaxbogs]

I think the “I evangelize with my actions” schtick is getting old. It’s true that we need to preach the gospel with our actions, but in a culture like this our actions do not speak for themselves. People just think observant Catholics are insane, which is not a good advertisement.

We need to do three things:

(1) Go where we’re uncomfortable.
(2) Get to know the people there.
(3) Tell them about how Jesus has transformed us.

I will be the first to admit that I have not done this enough. But this is what Biblical evangelism is. If people had never done this, there would be no Church.

(Good question, though, Hoosier!)

Not to be disrespectful but I feel many who use “I evangelize with my actions” tend to use this as an excuse to NOT TALK about their faith. Exercising our faith is often spelled R-I-S-K. That may mean opening one’s mouth & speaking for Our Lord. I believe Christ really digs it when we leave our comfort zone to tell people good news.

I also offer to pray with & for people (who’ve told me of their problems), right where we’re at (using discretion in public). EVERY time I do this, the person is thankful. Most walk away knowing more about God’s love.

Hoosier, pray and ask God to open doors for you. You’ll be an awesome voice for the faith.

 

[MacQ]

Not to be disrespectful but I feel many who use “I evangelize with my actions” tend to use this as an excuse to NOT TALK about their faith. Exercising our faith is often spelled R-I-S-K. That may mean opening one’s mouth & speaking for Our Lord. I believe Christ really digs it when we leave our comfort zone to tell people good news.

I also offer to pray with & for people (who’ve told me of their problems), right where we’re at (using discretion in public). EVERY time I do this, the person is thankful. Most walk away knowing more about God’s love.

You;re probably right…but unless our demeanor and our actions in general and in other things reflect loving and humility, people aren’t likely to respond well to “preaching”.
Especially if unsolicited.
Another way of putting that is that if we go around acting like jerks, then try to give them gospel, it won’t be very effective.

I do like your approach of praying with and for people right where they’re at when they’ve told you their troubles. A perfect approach.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

You;re probably right…but unless our demeanor and our actions in general and in other things reflect loving and humility, people aren’t likely to respond well to “preaching”.
Especially if unsolicited.
Another way of putting that is that if we go around acting like jerks, then try to give them gospel, it won’t be very effective.

Very true. But a lot of us run into the opposite danger: thinking we must be “perfect” before we spread the Good News – which means we never get around to it.

It’s ironic, since one way we get perfected is by evangelizing!