How Should I Go About Evangelization?

[shyguy3498]

So for awhile now, someone who I know and love has not been attending church, they are not Catholic but Episcopal. Whenever I try to introduce them to Catholicism, or explain the faith they seem to get a bit hostile. They act as if I am lecturing them however that is not my intent. I just really wish to share the faith however like I said I don’t feel like they will ever give me a chance…so my question is how should I be Evangelizing? I don’t want to come off as too forceful or else that might scare them away.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Whenever I try to introduce them to Catholicism, or explain the faith they seem to get a bit hostile.

Then you are sabotaging your cause. Back off.

Has this person ever expressed an interest in Catholicism? Has he asked questions or expressed opinions about Catholicism? Or are you the one who brings up the topic?

It’s one thing if you are responding to some interest on the part of your friend. It’s something else to try and force the issue.

How do you evangelize? Start by praying for your friend, regularly and fervently. Be the best example you can be of what it means to be a good Catholic. Find joy and meaning in your faith and allow those elements to shine through your whole life. When talking about your faith, let it be a natural part of the conversation. For example, if you two are discussing some world event you might say “Yeah, I love what Pope Francis said about this…” Can you go out to dinner on Wednesday night? “Oh, that’s the night my prayer group meets. How would Thursday work?”

Your friend will know that if he has questions about the Catholic Church, you’re the person to talk with.

 

[Bonnie]

Then you are sabotaging your cause. Back off.

Has this person ever expressed an interest in Catholicism? Has he asked questions or expressed opinions about Catholicism? Or are you the one who brings up the topic?

It’s one thing if you are responding to some interest on the part of your friend. It’s something else to try and force the issue.

How do you evangelize? Start by praying for your friend, regularly and fervently. Be the best example you can be of what it means to be a good Catholic. Find joy and meaning in your faith and allow those elements to shine through your whole life. When talking about your faith, let it be a natural part of the conversation. For example, if you two are discussing some world event you might say “Yeah, I love what Pope Francis said about this…” Can you go out to dinner on Wednesday night? “Oh, that’s the night my prayer group meets. How would Thursday work?”

Your friend will know that if he has questions about the Catholic Church, you’re the person to talk with.

I rarely quote a previous poster in full, but this was what I was going to say, and this person said it better than I could.

Yesterday I was accosted by a couple of JWs at my yard sale. I usually enjoy talking about my faith, but their method was so abrupt & unexpected I was really put off. The subject has to come up naturally or most people will think you’re being pushy.

 

[dmar198]

So for awhile now, someone who I know and love has not been attending church, they are not Catholic but Episcopal. Whenever I try to introduce them to Catholicism, or explain the faith they seem to get a bit hostile. They act as if I am lecturing them however that is not my intent. I just really wish to share the faith however like I said I don’t feel like they will ever give me a chance…so my question is how should I be Evangelizing? I don’t want to come off as too forceful or else that might scare them away.

I like what SuscipeMeDomine said. I want to add that another thing you can do is ask questions of the person and let him or her answer. Something like, What does your church believe about ___________________? (Abortion, contraception… Could be anything.) Or ask your friend, What do you think about God? If the person wants to talk about his or her beliefs, then you have an opening to share your own beliefs.

I always like to go back to videos and audio CDs. If something touchy comes up in a discussion, I think there if often an opening to say, “You know, I once heard a great talk about this topic that I think you might be interested in. Can I get a copy for you?” Or something like that. Let the expert Catholics talk to them through a video or a CD. You be the person who plants that seed by giving them the CD or DVD.

 

[shyguy3498]

Then you are sabotaging your cause. Back off.

Has this person ever expressed an interest in Catholicism? Has he asked questions or expressed opinions about Catholicism? Or are you the one who brings up the topic?

It’s one thing if you are responding to some interest on the part of your friend. It’s something else to try and force the issue.

How do you evangelize? Start by praying for your friend, regularly and fervently. Be the best example you can be of what it means to be a good Catholic. Find joy and meaning in your faith and allow those elements to shine through your whole life. When talking about your faith, let it be a natural part of the conversation. For example, if you two are discussing some world event you might say “Yeah, I love what Pope Francis said about this…” Can you go out to dinner on Wednesday night? “Oh, that’s the night my prayer group meets. How would Thursday work?”

Your friend will know that if he has questions about the Catholic Church, you’re the person to talk with.

Well they aren’t just a friend, they are a close family member. I get what you are saying, however sometimes I just get a big concerned. Today as a nice gesture I tried giving them a prayer booklet that I got a Church. I know they believe in God and are not apposed to Christianity so I got it for them, but as soon as we gave it to them they rejected saying “I am not Catholic” so I responded by saying “You don’t have to be Catholic to pray” (In a kind manner I said this mind you) then I go on to ask them a simple question since it really does bother me that they seem to hold a grudge against the Church and so I ask “What is your problem with the Church? You seem to always be against anything Catholic. If you have a problem I would really love to answer it for you.” I guess all I can really do is pray since they closed up after I tried answering their concerns.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I think the prayer book idea was nice. Your relative clearly has a hard heart where the Church is concerned. I think your prayers may be the best remedy until you get some indication that things have changed.

 

[Bonnie]

Family members are the hardest to talk with about differences in either politics or religion.

 

[shyguy3498]

I think the prayer book idea was nice. Your relative clearly has a hard heart where the Church is concerned. I think your prayers may be the best remedy until you get some indication that things have changed.

Only God can bring people back to the faith I must remember this. He uses us as tools, but sometimes I feel I can be a bit counterproductive so I just need to as you said “Back off” and I guess pray. It is really all I can do.