Evangelism is easy.
Twice in the last couple of weeks, I have encountered a guy who lives here in my town. His name is Chris and, without knowing it, he has really challenged me.
I met Chris at the park. I was there with my family, he was there with his granddaughter and we sat and chatted for 20 minutes or so. People often strike up conversations with me just because I have an English accent.
When it was time to go, Chris shook my hand, said goodbye and then said the most incredible thing:
“I don’t know if you already worship somewhere but we worship at the Church of Christ and we’d love it if you’d like to join us some time.”
I was shocked. We hadn’t mentioned God at all the whole conversation and then there it was… and it was so easy.
I explained that I am a pastor and my children actually attend the school attached to his church and we said our goodbyes and left.
This guy is not on staff there, he’s not an elder or deacon, he’s what many people would call a layman.
That doesn’t stop him doing outreach though – and the way he did it was just so easy, non-confrontational and relaxed.
I saw him again yesterday. He was talking to someone at the car dealership where my car was being serviced. They talked about politics and taxes and all that normal stuff and then, just as he was leaving, he said:
“I don’t know if you already worship somewhere…”
It’s that easy to reach out, to evangelise, to invite someone to join you for worship.
…. So why don’t I do that?
Great Post Peter. I know that I have been asking God to give me the courage and opportunites to do this exact thing.
I pray that God will answer your prayers Robin!
Your are right, it is very easy to do BUT at the same time (even though it shouldn’t be) it is also a very hard to do. What it comes down to is fear (I am realizing that most – if not all – things come down to fear). We are afraid that the person my think we are a weirdo or something worse. We are afraid that we may something stupid. I know that I need to be reminded regularly that I have been a spirit of power and not of fear/timidity!
You hit the nail on the, Kevin. Fear holds most of us back.
Let’s all encourage each other not to be afraid and to trust in God’s word that we have been given a spirit of power!
If you can give a church invitation at the end of a chat while you are walking away, then you can mention the name of Christ at the start of a conversation.
Are we or are we not ashamed of the gospel and Christ? The real question that dives to the core of the issue.
I love the simplicity of the approach Chris used. I love the authentic nature of incorporating his invitation into his relationship with you. I love that he invites you to worship!!!
While I have done this a few times, I always feel like I want the issue to be Christ instead of becoming a part of or visiting my particular expression of the church. I think that makes it harder for me somehow.
I don’t think I’m ashamed of the gospel as much as I want to do what is effective for the Kingdom. And where Randy hits it on the head for me is that I might be wasting a lot of time trying to get is right and missing a lot of opportunities to get it going.
Randy: He could mention Christ’s name at the start of the conversation but I think it would be a lot less effective. By the end of the conversation, I have discovered that he is a normal, rational guy and we’ve started building a relationship. It is out of that connection that he invites me to worship with him. It’s not a ‘get on your knees right now and repeat this prayer after me” it’s a warm welcome: Come, join us, it would be great to have you there.
Bruce: I think that’s the problem many of us have. We’re not sure how to do it ‘right’ so we don’t do it at all!
Great comments guys. Thanks!
Sounds like God was using this guy to show you something. God knew you didn’t need a place to worship. but others do and you could do just the same 🙂
We all could.
oh p.s I need help with somethin we have been thinking/ praying about. I felt a um ‘something’..nudge.. lol not sure what you would call it in my spirit to have a kids day on our street. Dave is worried about us givin the kids flier in advance since we can only suppy so much. I was thinking a craft or two and then some hot dogs, chips, juice that kinda thing. but also I know most the ppl on our street are catholic and 2 Its not like we go to church around the corner so. I’m not sure how to talk about Jesus and his grace and gift to us and not offend anyone (I know thats dumb Jesus Offends a lot of ppl when he was alive and still now and I shouldn’t worry if someone is offended by Him) and also if they want to know more/ learn more/ go somewhere to worship, what do I offer them?? Dave says we shouldn’t talk to the kids about religous things without parents around. I seem over zealous about this and he seems hesitant. I do want to do this but I want his (Dave’s) support and HIS (God’s) peace about it. Its like I have this feeling but just don’t know quite what to do with it or in which way to go with it.
lol ok I know thats a lot but if you have any thought please email and let me know.
Thanks Peter
Hey there Erin,
I don’t know you and we haven’t interacted before, but I think it can be pretty simple. When you serve food, you might just tell the kids that your family has a tradition of praying before we eat. You could tell them that you would like to do that and if they would just give you a moment, you would then serve the food.
I substitute teach and somehow kids find out that I also pastor a church. They ask me lots of questions once the subject gets out there.
Thank you.
This Idea does keep it simple and I had thought about just doing this. I guess in my mind I felt like it should be more, lol what the more part is, is where I am running into trouble.
Our neighbors know we go to church and maybe just a simple prayer is all the is needed to get some of them asking questions or just the feeling that someone cares enouh to take the time to do something fun with them.
I usually have too high expectations and so get discouraged when things seem too easy or too simple.
Thank you for the help
wow that has a lot of typos I hope you understand it lol
Sounds like he does this very naturally. Good for him.
Erin,
Could be simple, and non-confrontational to boot. Simply place an invitation to attend church with you anytime (free ride there and back if the kids just want to try it out) in a small gift bag that you give to everyone…sort of a party favor. This bag might have a couple of balloons, some candy, perhaps a juice container, and the invitation.
Depending upon your idea for the craft, you might also be able to have some “scripture stickers” (depending upon local availability…or your own creativity).
May God bless and lead your efforts.
Thank you Michael and I love your Ideas but the one (ok its really 2) problem/s with this is we go to church about 35-40 minutes away from where we live and when we go its usually an all day thing. We hang out with family and members of our church and go to both services since we don’t make it for Wednesday service (we can’t afford the price of gas twice a week.) Lately though my husband has been working Sundays and it just depends on his chaotic scedule. Usually we can only go to morning or evening service. More often than not its the Evening service in which case his parents have us and our 4 kids over for dinner.
I do love the scripture sticker idea. One of the crafts I had in mind was a foam Christian craft that I bought for Sunday School which I was helping teach before our Sunday schedule got so messed up.
Thanks for the Ideas 🙂
Evangelism is easy, per your intro on Sunday thoughts.
I do not want evangelism to be something logical, mechanical, or by route. Non believers are “put off” by that- So am I.
We seem to escape some very basic concepts in scripture when we try to plan an approach to evangelism.
Like anything else that is real, evangelism has it’s own breath- That should be the “leading of the Holy Spirit.” Each individual is different-where there disposition is at on that particular day and moment-unique. (We are incapable of planning the right or best time to mention Christ and go further steps.)
Have we forgot this is a God thing- We save no one-we lead no one to salvation. It is God’s grace and merit. We are to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and obey His leading in our life.
Our mentioning Jesus should not be a product of our intellect and perceived right conditions and time- It is the timetable of the Lord- the most precious of miracles and truth- the gift of salvation.
I have spoken Christ sometimes under the most seemingly impossible situations.
How about the concept of Spirit led evangelism or the Holy Spirit giving notice in an otherwise normal conversation with people and we take note of the move of His Spirit and participate.
Please, don’t take evangelism and make it a 10 step program or cover with a religious blanket of do this and not this. That to me would be one step forward and ten steps back.
You win Randy. You’re right.
Not trying to win anything brother! Just sharing my heart. Honest and open communication is vital and it is more than okay to be of a different opinion. The economy of God is not fixed, it is fluid and it takes every flavor, every gifting, every personality, that is living stone, and the love that covers a multitude of sins.
To think for ourself before Christ as we study, pray, learn, and teach-is one of the most powerful gifts of all.