"we don't really evangelize here. . ."

[Bonnie]

I’m not so convinced people do this all that often. . . simply because “you’re SUPPOSED to be nice” at work.

There’s more to life than work! But even at work, I was surprised at the many opportunities I had to talk about my faith. And that was always because someone asked me a question - I don’t push my religion on anybody.

Faith can come up in all sorts of casual conversations. “What did you do over the weekend.” “Went to Mass & met the new priest.”

And outside of work, even strangers can notice something. I remember helping a lady in an emergency one time - she said, “You’re Christians, aren’t you?” I’ve said the same to helpful people and am always told yes.

And nice people who aren’t Christians? Of course they exist - and some of them are our friends!

 

[pianistclare]

. . . . the Unspoken Problem raised by the By Example Crowd is this:

how on earth does a person to whom you have done a kindness, actually recognizes this kindness as based upon your Christian belief?

They don’t know you. They don’t hear you mention the word Jesus. You do a nicety—TONS of Americans believe in the idea that “mean people suck” and have been raised to simply be nice.

It is very possible to be nice and be an atheist. It’s possible to be nice and be a Buddhist.

How can the “By Example Crowd” really—honestly----get the Christian message across, when we live in a sea of basic niceness and kindness?

The spoken question in your posts is
“Why trust the Holy Spirit, when I think I can do it alone?”

Why be Christian at all?

 

[pianistclare]

. . . . the Unspoken Problem raised by the By Example Crowd is this:

how on earth does a person to whom you have done a kindness, actually recognizes this kindness as based upon your Christian belief?

They don’t know you. They don’t hear you mention the word Jesus. You do a nicety—TONS of Americans believe in the idea that “mean people suck” and have been raised to simply be nice.

It is very possible to be nice and be an atheist. It’s possible to be nice and be a Buddhist.

How can the “By Example Crowd” really—honestly----get the Christian message across, when we live in a sea of basic niceness and kindness?

Why be Christian at all?

The spoken question in your posts is:

“Why trust the Holy Spirit to work through me, when I believe I can do it all alone?”

 

[NovusFidem]

Your presence, your words, an your life is an evangelization. For someone to not evangelize with their lives, one would have to literally be a hermit.
Any kindness to a stranger is an exercise in Christian action. Evangelizing doesn’t only mean reading Scripture to a person. The world learns what it means to be a Christian by observing Christian actions…]

This. As a nurse-student, I would often let my actions speak for me. Just being an overall good person in regards to others was enough to make them turn and pay attention to me: how I responded to angry patients or family, how I dealt with colleagues, bosses, how I acted when by myself, or during lunch, etc. It was a brief look into my life, but enough for people to ask questions. Having a crucifix exposed at all times was enough to connect me to a Christian religion, and from there was just a matter of planting seeds. People believe religions are bad things, so we have to be a better example, before trying to bring them in.

Now that I am unemployed (just graduated nurse school, pray for me!), even as a hermit it is still possible. My sister (and my parents) is Catholic but distanced from the Church (as I was half a year ago), and she sees me as I truly am: lazy, with a temper, sinning, still skipping Mass… but she still asks why I insist on being Catholic if I am like this, and I try to explain that, despite how I currently am, God still loves me and still wants me to be better.

All in all. Even as a hermit, I still find ways to evangelize; I may not be that good at it, but as long as they are curious, there is hope.

 

[Captain_America]

The spoken question in your posts is:

“Why trust the Holy Spirit to work through me, when I believe I can do it all alone?”

Oh, please.

 

[Captain_America]

Of course, it’s BOTH that we are called upon to do. As Chrisians, we have the Great Commission; a duty to spread the faith. And also, as Christians, we naturally want to live like Christ. . . which may be confused as “evangelization” by some, but which really is a matter of walking the talk. But there must be a place for pointed, intentional work done to harvest the field and help bring into the fold those who would be blessed to hear and know about Jesus.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Of course, it’s BOTH that we are called upon to do. As Chrisians, we have the Great Commission; a duty to spread the faith. And also, as Christians, we naturally want to live like Christ. . . which may be confused as “evangelization” by some, but which really is a matter of walking the talk. But there must be a place for pointed, intentional work done to harvest the field and help bring into the fold those who would be blessed to hear and know about Jesus.

So what is it you want to do or plan to do?

 

[pianistclare]

Oh, please.

:hey_bud:

All I know is, that I don’t appreciate when people of other faiths come around here, at home, in the office, or ANYWHERE trying to tell me what I’m missing in my faith.
Most people don’t.
The Catholic Church has been around 2000 years. People know where to find Catholics and Catholic info. If you think you can p(name removed by moderator)oint those who will be receptive, respectful and open to listening, go for it.
But people observing a behavior or an attitude goes farther than trying to school someone.
Any kid who asks fro music lessons does better than the ones who parents just sign them up for piano lessons. Basic human nature.

There are plenty of programs in place…“Catholic Coming Home” “Christ Renews His Parish”, RCIA even. It’s called working in the parish. Try it. Those of us who work 60 hours a week trying to teach children, teens and adults could use the help of people itching to make a difference. Your pastor would be MOST grateful.
But don’t think that others are no doing their part because they don’t bang on doors or hand out fliers.

 

[Mummsie]

Captain,

I agree with your frustration. Trying to reach those lost souls is not easy. Most Catholics are very uncomfortable talking about their faith. Knocking on Doors is what the others do. So what do we do?

Our pastoral council has been discussing this issue for 1-1/2 years. We did begin some free community dinners… An opportunity for anyone to come to a free dinner. We usually have a good response from the community (mostly our neighborhood Lutherans) and it is a great opportunity to break bread with our separated brethren. But, it hardly seems enough.

We’ve talked about holding a big event (Great Speaker, the musical Godspell, etc.) But nothing has come of that.

My biggest issue is patience. I’ll pray that you find a way that works for you and I’d appreciate your prayers as well.

God Bless You.

 

[GAHere]

Of course, it’s BOTH that we are called upon to do. As Chrisians, we have the Great Commission; a duty to spread the faith. And also, as Christians, we naturally want to live like Christ. . . which may be confused as “evangelization” by some, but which really is a matter of walking the talk. But there must be a place for pointed, intentional work done to harvest the field and help bring into the fold those who would be blessed to hear and know about Jesus.

Romans 12:6-8
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others,with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Certainly there is a place for pointed, intentional work, but the intent is not ours, it is God’s. The only way to figure out just what that pointed, intentional work looks like for each of us is to abandon ourselves to him.

We have to let go of the illusion that we control anything here on earth, that we, on our own, can effect change by words or actions, even with the best of intentions.

The field is his to harvest, not ours. We are the tools he uses. Tools which are well maintained will be effective. Those which are rusted, bent, broken, not so much. They need to be repaired. Our energies are best spent keeping our relationship with him real and personal: pray, fasting, almsgiving. Seek first for his assistance in helping us become and remain humble to his will for us, then we will be able to discern what, specifically, he wants us to do, and how. Through his grace the efforts we expend on his behalf will produce good fruit.

 

[CompSciGuy]

I agree with this, also that living one’s life as a Catholic should attract people to the Church.

It takes more than being nice. You have to tell people about the faith. How are people supposed to be attracted to a church that they know nothing about? And how are they to know anything about it if Catholics don’t verbally bring the faith (doctrines, truths, etc.) to them? And how do you expect them to think that your ‘niceness’ has anything to do with being Catholic and nothing to do with the fact that you’re just a nice person?

Years ago, as a Protestant, we used to go out and collar people on the street: “Do you know Jesus?” or “Have you been saved?” I don’t recall getting any converts that way.

Perhaps not on the spot, but you planted seeds didn’t you? My brother is a Protestant and actively evangelizes his friends and has won quite a few converts. How many converts do you win by simply being nice to people?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

How many converts do you win by simply being nice to people?

I would say that “being nice” and “living your faith” are not the same things.

But I’m curious what you are doing and how many conversions you’ve brought about.

 

[Captain_America]

I think CompSciGuy has the basic idea here.

Just being nice to people really doesn’t provide them any information.

And it is valuable to point out that evangelicals really have learned the lessons here, and we Catholics should assess which techniques seem to work best, and implement them.

Where I live, the priest runs a dying congregation but seems unable to move to do anything about it, perhaps viewing decline as inevitable.

In my case, I see a full fishing pond: the unbaptized, those who don’t know about faith, any faith, and of course, the fallen-away.

 

[KCT]

Check out Divine Renovation by Fr. James Mallon. Great book – very ‘outside the box’ thinking!

St. Paul Street Evangelization training is good for anyone. It’s not just street evangelism but teaches you general principles for speaking to others, as well as how to tell the basic story of salvation (the Kerygma) and your own story of how God has worked in your life. Things we should all be able to do.

They do trainings all over. I had to travel 2 hours to attend one last fall, but it was worth it.