Should I try to evangelize this person?

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My dad has a friend who started attending a denominational Church, and before I think he wasn’t a regular Churchgoer. Anyway, he seems to very much enjoy it and seems more spiritual then before. Should I try to evangalize him?:confused:
 
Whatever you do, a heavy-handed approach will backfire.

I was ‘evangelized’ by some neighbor kids when I was little, simply because I overheard them talking about going to Catechism and what they were giving up for Lent. It made me want to join in, and I gave up bubble gum before I even knew what Lent was, and instilled in me a lifelong desire to become Catholic.

On the other hand, as an adult, I was interviewing a person for a magazine. Before I even got to the questions, this total stranger leaned in and said, “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior.”

It made me pull back.

Thank God, many many years later I met another bunch of Catholics who did not push, but gently led me to the shores of the Tiber.
 
Go for it. Talk about all things you have in common and your faith in Jesus. Don’t talk about Catholicism, per se. Share what you have in common. Eventually you will get to disagreements and that is where your work begins.

Look to 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it.

If he is just getting started, don’t overwhelm him. Let him grow and start to ask questions. Be patient as he goes from milk to food.
 
coolcatholicguy said:
My dad has a friend who started attending a denominational Church, and before I think he wasn’t a regular Churchgoer. Anyway, he seems to very much enjoy it and seems more spiritual then before. Should I try to evangalize him?:confused:
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Perhaps it isn’t my place to comment, as I’m not RC, but…when someone tries to preach to me, I close up, and run far and fast. Just sayin’.

If this person is interested in the church, etc., I’d just let this person know that I was there for them…and if they are someone you’d be interested in friending generally, then why not start from there?

I used to visit different churches in hopes of finding a church home when I still had a (tenuous) belief in Christianity…and one thing that turned me off was people trying to evangelize to me and shove the church’s teachings down my throat…those churches…I never went back…
 
Like the previous, what do you mean "evangelize " Does he know/trust in Christ as Savior? To me evangelize means to share the “gospel” message of the cross to someone who never heard…Like Peter’s first evangelistic message about Christ added 3,000 to the church in one day from one message…No special classes/programs, just a simple message of Christ and they chose to believe on His name…Now if you mean you want Him to swim the tiber, I wouldn’t call that “evangelizing” but rather you want him to join your church as opposed to becoming Orthodox or Protestant…If you think he needs to become Catholic then pray
as it’s the Holy Spirits job to do that work…
 
Hiskid1973 said:
Like the previous, what do you mean "evangelize " Does he know/trust in Christ as Savior? To me evangelize means to share the “gospel” message of the cross to someone who never heard…Like Peter’s first evangelistic message about Christ added 3,000 to the church in one day from one message…No special classes/programs, just a simple message of Christ and they chose to believe on His name…Not if you mean you want Him to swim the tiber, I wouldn’t call that “evangelizing” but rather you want him to join your church as opposed to becoming Orthodox or Protestant…
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What do you all mean by “swim the Tiber?” Just curious…
 
fermat said:
Go for it. Talk about all things you have in common and your faith in Jesus. Don’t talk about Catholicism, per se. Share what you have in common. Eventually you will get to disagreements and that is where your work begins.

Look to 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it.

If he is just getting started, don’t overwhelm him. Let him grow and start to ask questions. Be patient as he goes from milk to food.
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Yes, that is good. I would say share common beliefs if that is what your friend is wanting. If questions are asked about our faith answer in charity with the Truth of what we believe.If you don’t know the answer to something ,tell him you would like to get back to him on it.
I would try not to jump the gun, as you say,Fermat, be patient. ;):)Carlan
 
phoenixrrt62 said:
What do you all mean by “swim the Tiber?” Just curious…
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Hi, hey it’s an expression I’ve heard from who changed churches to become Catholic…They flow is constant back and forth as people feel they are led to change…East to west, west to east…It’s all Jesus…whether it’s a conversion of the heart or being born anew…I know one who became Anglican due to the family being affected by an abusive priest…
 
Carlan said:
The Tiber river is in Rome and when our separated brothers decide to join up, one is said to have swum the 'Tiber".👍:)Carlan
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Hey Sis…Thanks for being more specific…:tiphat:
I knew some but not the details…
 
Gossip really is not called for in these forums.
I especially abhor shadowed slurs. They are not Christian:(Carlan
 
Posters on Anwers were not born yesterday, we get the drift. If the shoe fits wear it.:shrug:Carlan
 
Carlan said:
Posters on Anwers were not born yesterday, we get the drift. If the shoe fits wear it.:shrug:Carlan
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I responded to his comment on evangelism with your first pope"s evangelistic message to unbelievers telling them the way to Christ…They responded and became part of the church in that one day 3,000…That is evangelism…It’s seemed to me by the way he described it the man already “knew” Christ but he thinks he should become Catholic more proselytizing than evangelism with the gospel
message to an unbeliever…Is there anyway you could put me on “ignore” so you wouldn’t have to go off topic on someones thread…I get friend requests on here so
not everyone responds so negative to me here…I even thanked you fro helping me…My guess is you’ll show up in another thread I’m in…It’s best to just comment on the content and leave personal thought/comment out…When someone/thing irritates me I usually ask the Lord to show me what the source is and how can I change My reaction…God bless you…K

Maybe a mod here could remove the off topic posts…
 
coolcatholicguy said:
Sorry, I meant non-denominational Church.
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All I can say is lead him to the CC by example. Show him that love, respect and good will are what Christ wanted His followers to do for one another. Pray to the Holy Spirit that it moves him to want to become a catholic, and join the CC.

Best of luck to you,👍
Your Sister in Christ
Magdelaine1173
 
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