{"id":8274,"date":"2013-02-20T19:15:29","date_gmt":"2013-02-21T02:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iamsignificant.ca\/?p=8274"},"modified":"2016-08-23T03:00:41","modified_gmt":"2016-08-23T03:00:41","slug":"the-art-of-non-evangelism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iamsignificant.ca\/home\/significant-sustenance\/the-art-of-non-evangelism\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Non-Evangelism"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Have you ever realized that you just seem to do certain things well but they seem to come so easily you take them for granted? \u00a0I had this pointed out to me in a couple areas of my life – things that I just did – I thought they were no big deal but I have discovered after a couple requests that maybe there is a little more to it. \u00a0 One such area in my life is the way I have been able to cultivate relationships and introduce Jesus to folks (evangelism) in some non-traditional\u00a0arenas. \u00a0I had to stop and think about what I did and the way I did it and this will form the bulk of what I share in this post.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Yesterday I was in a local coffee shop. \u00a0I was reading my Kindle and just trying to be aware of what the Father was doing around me. \u00a0I am learning that to minister from a place of rest – not having to work anything up – that I can hear\/see\/sense much better what may be happening than \u00a0trying to do so through the noise of “working too hard” to make something happen. \u00a0 There were a couple ladies sitting across the restaurant who I knew from years ago. \u00a0I smiled and said “Hello”. \u00a0We talked about the weather for a few minutes and I went back to my reading. \u00a0 One of the ladies passed by my table, smiled on her way to the coffee counter and said in a hushed voice “Pray for me”. \u00a0I smiled and said \u00a0“Sure and thanks for asking me.” \u00a0She went to the coffee counter, picked up the drinks for her table, left them at her table and the next thing I know she is sitting at my table. \u00a0 We spent the next 5-10 minutes praying together for a situation that was really hard for her and then I had a few moments to encourage her with the Fathers love for her in this situation. \u00a0It was amazing as this woman got colour in her face, took a couple of deep cleansing breathes and she began to beam. \u00a0She returned to her table and was telling her friends about our time together and I heard her say to her friends “Thank you Jesus!”. \u00a0This opened the door for continue conversation and provided an introduction to her sister who was now open to what I might have to share.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luke 10 talks about Jesus sending the 72 out to proclaim the Kingdom and in verse 6 He talks about finding a “man of peace”. I am on the look out for who that person of peace may be. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u00a0may be a person of peace if:<\/span><\/h3>\n

1) Smile<\/strong>. If they return the smile … they may be a person of peace.<\/span>
\n2) Initiating a conversation.<\/strong> They converse back in an open way… they may be a person of peace.<\/span>
\n3) Help Practically.<\/strong> \u00a0If it looks like they are having some challenges I offer help where appropriate. Demonstrate genuine empathy. And often let them know I will pray for them. If they accept with a smile…. they may be a person of peace.<\/span>
\n4) Initiate Conversation and REALLY listen<\/strong>. Often times when I start conversing with people, after a few minutes they will start to share some personal things that may be causing them stress \/ pain (don’t go digging for it!)…. they may be a person of peace.<\/span>
\n5) Offer to Pray with them on the Spot<\/strong>. \u00a0I ask them if they would like to pray about it with me and by this time, whether they want to pray or not, I am pretty confident … they may be a person of peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Couple thoughts:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

—><\/span><\/strong> \u00a0Sometimes the person of peace is right in front of you<\/strong>. \u00a0Remember, you are just learning to recognize where God is at work and joining in as it seems right, prudent and person-honouring as possible. \u00a0I am often most surprised that the people who seem to have it all together are the ones who are the most desiring to get some encouragement from God! These can be friends, family and co-workers. \u00a0Of course, whether obvious or not so obvious, it flows from the rest of relationship with God and an awareness that it is the work of God’s Holy Spirit!<\/span><\/p>\n

—><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 “I’d like Church if it wasn’t for the Christians” is a comment I get fairly often.<\/strong> “So full of hypocrites” they lament. \u00a0To which I exclaim “And there’s always room for one more!” \u00a0with a big smile on my face! \u00a0Truth is, 9 times out of 10 they laugh! \u00a0Look folks – we can’t\u00a0possibly\u00a0defend and\u00a0apologize\u00a0for all the Christians who have made mistakes, have misspoken or fail to live the way they wished they could, BUT what we can do is avoid one of the most annoying things – self-righteous, preachy-ness! \u00a0People like to be spoken with, not preached at.<\/span><\/p>\n

—><\/span> \u00a0Don’t try and answer every question<\/strong>: Crusades, 7 day creation, problem with evil…These are all wonderful discussions and ones that people have wrestled with throughout history. \u00a0Truth is for about 99% of the people asking these kinds of question not having answers is not the reason they haven’t come to faith. \u00a0Most of the time these questions are a\u00a0straw man. \u00a0Truth is, some of these questions are huge and to offer a packaged, neat, black and white answer is very unsatisfying and almost always a put-off! \u00a0Honesty is always the best way to go. “Those are great questions. \u00a0I don’t know I have an answer that satisfies me let alone you.”<\/span><\/p>\n

—><\/span> \u00a0In many cases, it’s not about knowing enough information.<\/strong> \u00a0It is about knowing a person – Jesus. \u00a0Many are intimidated by the JW’s or the Mormon missionaries coming to the door. \u00a0The panic sets in “What do I say?” \u00a0While good thinking is always a good thing, most people aren’t looking for a good\u00a0argument\u00a0per sae but are most often persuaded by genuine love and a sense that you know Him!<\/span><\/p>\n

—><\/span> \u00a0I encourage folks to share what \/ who they love.<\/strong> \u00a0Share your experience, your relationship \/ journey with Jesus and why you love Jesus. \u00a0Be genuine and generous with your time realizing the conversation is taking place in the first place because God is already at work!<\/span><\/p>\n

Some\u00a0Etiquette:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

1)\u00a0These are not hunting trips<\/strong>\u00a0– notches on your bible. This is simply being aware of where God might be working and joining His work already in progress.<\/span>
\n2)\u00a0Don’t fake it<\/strong> – don’t pretend to care or be compassionate if you really dont. \u00a0If fact, if you are not interested in being a genuine friend it may be better to keep your mouth shut.<\/span>
\n3)\u00a0Nobody wants to be a “project”<\/strong>.\u00a0Relationships take time and need to be cultivated, be genuine, enjoy the relationship and be yourself.<\/span>
\n4)\u00a0Homeruns are awesome but rare.<\/strong>\u00a0Many folks get greedy out of a twisted sense of it’s all up to them” and they can often try and steal bases – so to speak. This will most often get you called out! Honour people wherever they are on their journey.<\/span>
\n5)\u00a0Ends don’t justify the means – Never!<\/strong>\u00a0“God is no respecter of persons” doesn’t justify us being an ass.<\/span>
\n6)\u00a0God loves that person more than we do<\/strong>. It is His will that none should perish – we need to trust God that He is at work.<\/span>
\n7)\u00a0God is not worried<\/strong>. \u00a0 The bologna that it is “all on your shoulders”, that you “may be the only Jesus these people ever meet” \u00a0is an outright lie and manipulation – to guilt you to get out and share your faith. \u00a0Shake that off and just enjoy. Share what you love, the way you are!<\/span>
\n8)\u00a0Inviting people on a journey to follow Jesus not join our church<\/strong>. \u00a0Here is the tipping of a popular sacred cow. \u00a0 The Good News is Jesus not the Church. \u00a0The Church is made up of folks who are following Jesus, we are to be sign-posts pointing the way, proclaiming the good news with our lives. \u00a0Be careful not to confuse Church doctrines, preferences, politics and opinions with the Good News. \u00a0Don’t worry, you will find that where relationship is, people will follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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