Thoughts on evangelism

[Strategery]

I agree that we need to use words. Moreover, we should prepare for the opportunities to share our faith that present themselves. It is one thing to criticize those who practice in-you-face evangelism. It is quite another to give up giving a verbal witness altogether.

Well said.

The quote attributed to St. Francis needs to be fully grasped. People focus on the “when necessary, use words” part and forget the first half of the quote. We are to focus on living the gospel. Which includes … proclaiming it.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Well said.

The quote attributed to St. Francis needs to be fully grasped. People focus on the “when necessary, use words” part and forget the first half of the quote. We are to focus on living the gospel. Which includes … proclaiming it.

I don’t think going out on the street with a sign that says “Turn or Burn” is a good way of proclaiming it though. :

 

[StDominicsSword]

don’t think going out on the street with a sign that says “Turn or Burn” is a good way of proclaiming it though. :

  Ahhh!  Did you see someone doing that?   That is really..."low brow" evangelism. LOL

No wonder so many people make fun of Christians. The only “offense” we are supposed to give is the cross. If people insult us and persecute us because we have no social skills and use bad taste, that isn’t really persecution. Being obnoxious is not the same as being bold. I think that this is mostly and American phenomenon though.
I usually never tried to “preach” to a total stranger. If I know someone a little (like at work) then I pray for an opportunity, and usually at some point the conversation will allow me to talk about something about the faith. Actually, I think that is the key to evangelism. Pray for people and if you want God to use you for evangelism, pray that He will give you opportunities.
The most “bold” think that I have been able to do didn’t involve words at all. I’m an artist, and one time my brother took a CD that had some of my painting on it. He showed it his friend who is in charge of art exhibits at the most popular cafe in our town. They let me have a “one man” show there for 6 weeks. Most of my paintings are abstract(non-referential) but 1 of them was an Icon of the Trinity (the Old Testament “mysterious supper”) and another painting was of Mary with Christ still in the womb(you can see him and He is wearing a crown) So, for 6 weeks, thousands of college students and the many “counter-cultural” type of people saw these paintings in a “cool” cafe. Hopefully, they spoke to people better than I could have.
peace

 

[kvw]

So, for 6 weeks, thousands of college students and the many “counter-cultural” type of people saw these paintings in a “cool” cafe. Hopefully, they spoke to people better than I could have.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Ahhh! Did you see someone doing that? That is really…“low brow” evangelism. LOL
No wonder so many people make fun of Christians. The only “offense” we are supposed to give is the cross. If people insult us and persecute us because we have no social skills and use bad taste, that isn’t really persecution. Being obnoxious is not the same as being bold. I think that this is mostly and American phenomenon though.
I usually never tried to “preach” to a total stranger. If I know someone a little (like at work) then I pray for an opportunity, and usually at some point the conversation will allow me to talk about something about the faith. Actually, I think that is the key to evangelism. Pray for people and if you want God to use you for evangelism, pray that He will give you opportunities.

You’d be surprised how many fundamentalist nuts I’ve seen videoing their streetpreaching antics on YouTube. Their persecution complex has been completely twisted. It’s the words of people like you that can only help cure it.

  The most "bold" think that I have been able to do didn't involve words at all.   I'm an artist, and one time my brother took a CD that had some of my painting on it.  He showed it his friend who is in charge of art exhibits at the most popular cafe in our town.  They let me have a "one man" show there for 6 weeks.  Most of my paintings are abstract(non-referential) but 1 of them was an Icon of the Trinity (the Old Testament "mysterious supper") and another painting was of Mary with Christ still in the womb(you can see him and He is wearing a crown)  So, for 6 weeks, thousands of college students and the many "counter-cultural" type of people saw these paintings in a "cool" cafe.   Hopefully, they spoke to people better than I could have.

peace

It’s my goal to do something similar in the future. I’m a writer and want to sort of write a story that presents Christian values in a subtle way.

 

[Strategery]

I don’t think going out on the street with a sign that says “Turn or Burn” is a good way of proclaiming it though. :

Neither do I – but I do believe the calling in 1 Peter 3:15.

It’s an interesting subject. Clearly Satan doesn’t want us to proclaim the gospel at all. If he loses the battle for us as individuals, the next thing he does is try to make sure the “cancer” (from his perspective) doesn’t spread. One result of that is a myriad of stumbling blocks to evangelization.

 

[StDominicsSword]

It’s my goal to do something similar in the future. I’m a writer and want to sort of write a story that presents Christian values in a subtle way.

Wonderful! Isn’t that kind of what C.S. Lewis did with a lot of his books? (and a lot of other really good writers)
Please, don’t give up your dreams. I’ll pray for you.
peace

 

[mr_lamuri]

Yes, I totally agree, everything must be done in love. But actions alone cannot preach the gospel. The Church as a whole is obligated to preach in words and in actions, but that doesn’t mean every individual has to preach. Love is required of everyone.
We are told to always be ready to have a defense for our hope in Christ. So, not everyone has to be “offensive” but everyone must be “defensive” if we are questioned about our faith.
If someone knows that they are specifically “called” and gifted to be an evangelist, then they should do it by God’s grace. We should never shrink back in fear, because we are not to fear mortal man.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice, and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
-Jesus (Matthew 5)

Thanks that was a wonderful reminder not to be fearful. I am certainly called but am a reluctant evangelist. I don’t think its my gift so I pray a lot for the Spirit to take charge when an opportunity knocks. Otherwise I’ll try to avoid situations that leads to the promptings from the Holy Spirit.

Having said that I have never done door knocking though am intrigued/challenged by it. Most of my evangelising is with family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances, and done either personally or (cowardly?) through the web.

Peace,
Louis
Brisbane, Australia

 

[Disciple96]

Hmmm… Evangelizing door to door doesn’t appeal to me much either. I rather prefer to evangelize the way the Spirit leads me to share… and that is heart to heart.

I evangelize (almost) every time I enter into a conversation. I don’t beat folks over the head and I don’t thump my Bible. Or my Catechism. I simply offer my point-of-view as a former Methodist-NewAger-Astrologer-Buddhist who is now head over heels in love with Holy Mother Church and Christ the Lord and His beautiful Mother and has been for fifteen years now. I love the Lord and His Church and His teachings so much, I simply cannot not share my love and my joy. I feel near to bursting with all that He has given me. How could I keep all this to myself?

Of course, sometimes I fail at this miserably. I can talk to almost anyone…except family. None of them are Catholic and are nominal Christians at best. Why do I have such an urge to thump them and not with anything so noble (or lightweight, if you know what I mean) as a Bible or a Catechism?