Time is short. Get out there.

[Carl Emerson]

Great topic.

Can I suggest that evangelism was never meant to be an individual sport - what I mean is that having folks committed to pray in behind your activities makes a huge difference.

For me I am a 'bullet ' rather than a 'shotgun' evangelist - being led to specific individuals at critical times.

As a group activity we would break bread together first and have intercessors pray behind us. Sometimes this would mean our effort was enhanced by short term prophesy or visions.

Example - an intercessor would see a man on a park bench reading a paper and we would go out and there he was - ready to hear.

Example 2 - we would be told to wait in the city square for someone to come - moments later a gang member was walking towards us looking forlorn having just been rejected by his gang members - again ready to hear.

Being ready to share is more about being in a right place with Him and being given the words, than memorising introductions in my opinion.

 

[1Tonne]

what I mean is that having folks committed to pray in behind your activities makes a huge difference.

I agree with this. We need as many people praying as possible. And we also need people praying that we will have as many harvesters as possible.
"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt 7:39

Being ready to share is more about being in a right place with Him and being given the words, than memorising introductions in my opinion.

I believe that during our day, as we pray, God will bring about people who we can say the Gospel to. But I also believe though, that we are to be active in preaching the Gospel. When Jesus said, "Go and preach the Gospel to all creation," that this is an active command. So we are to get out there and tell people the Good News. Don't just wait for people to come to us.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I agree with this. We need as many people praying as possible. And we also need people praying that we will have as many harvesters as possible.
"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt 7:39


I believe that during our day, as we pray, God will being about people who we can say the Gospel to. But I also believe though, that we are to be active in preaching the Gospel. When Jesus said, "Go and preach the Gospel to all creation," that this is an active command. So we are to get out there and tell people the Good News. Don't just wait for people to come to us.

Yes - both are true...

Actually Satan doesn't care what we do as long as souls aren't being saved.

A wise friend once told me that non believers are much more interested in our faith than what we might think.

Sadly most of our preachers do not preach to the world.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

How do you break the ice with people and get them to talk to you?

A good Youtube series is of Ray Comfort. He has some excellent ways of breaking the ice with those who need to hear the Gospel. His way of sharing the Gospel is quite different from the salesman approach that many evangelists use. He doesn't try to get the to make a decision or say the sinners prayer. He tells them to think seriously about the Gospel and to make their own decision when they are ready.

 

[Carl Emerson]

A good Youtube series is of Ray Comfort. He has some excellent ways of breaking the ice with those who need to hear the Gospel. His way of sharing the Gospel is quite different from the salesman approach that many evangelists use. He doesn't try to get the to make a decision or say the sinners prayer. He tells them to think seriously about the Gospel and to make their own decision when they are ready.

Ray and I were close friends in the early days...

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Ray and I were close friends in the early days...

If I knew how he conducted his evangelism when I was with Teen Challenge in Palmerston North, I really believe that our evangelism would have been much more successful in gaining long term converts for Christ.

 

[1Tonne]

If I knew how he conducted his evangelism when I was with Teen Challenge in Palmerston North, I really believe that our evangelism would have been much more successful in gaining long term converts for Christ.

I do it in a very similar way. In fact, I have copied him. Even though I do exactly the same, and I would say that I do it reasonably well, I still have not had any converts. But I try not to let this dishearten me. The reason being it that it is God who creates the growth.
We live in a world that is very much against God. So, this is expected.
Notice how in Mark 4:20 it says that after a life of sharing the Gospel, some believers will only have 30 converts.
"And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.”
30 is not many for a lifetime of sharing the Gospel. And I have heard of some preachers who shared the Gospel their whole life and never saw one convert. But now, within those towns that they preached, they have flourishing churches. So, the preacher toiled the ground and made it ready for future preachers.
We may end up reaping where others have planted seeds or others may reap where we have planted.
Never give up. Our mission is that everyone will hear of Gods great sacrifice.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I do it in a very similar way. In fact, I have copied him. Even though I do exactly the same, and I would say that I do it reasonably well, I still have not had any converts. But I try not to let this dishearten me. The reason being it that it is God who creates the growth.
We live in a world that is very much against God. So, this is expected.
Notice how in Mark 4:20 it says that after a life of sharing the Gospel, some believers will only have 30 converts.
"And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.”
30 is not many for a lifetime of sharing the Gospel. And I have heard of some preachers who shared the Gospel their whole life and never saw one convert. But now, within those towns that they preached, they have flourishing churches. So, the preacher toiled the ground and made it ready for future preachers.
We may end up reaping where others have planted seeds or others may reap where we have planted.
Never give up. Our mission is that everyone will hear of Gods great sacrifice.

Strategy is the answer - one might spend a lifetime in preparation to bring the Word that impacts to salvation one convert, that could be used to introduce multitudes to Christ.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I do it in a very similar way. In fact, I have copied him. Even though I do exactly the same, and I would say that I do it reasonably well, I still have not had any converts. But I try not to let this dishearten me. The reason being it that it is God who creates the growth.
We live in a world that is very much against God. So, this is expected.
Notice how in Mark 4:20 it says that after a life of sharing the Gospel, some believers will only have 30 converts.
"And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.”
30 is not many for a lifetime of sharing the Gospel. And I have heard of some preachers who shared the Gospel their whole life and never saw one convert. But now, within those towns that they preached, they have flourishing churches. So, the preacher toiled the ground and made it ready for future preachers.
We may end up reaping where others have planted seeds or others may reap where we have planted.
Never give up. Our mission is that everyone will hear of Gods great sacrifice.

I am not fazed that you haven't had any converts. Anyone who comes to Christ are His converts. The problem is the the salesmanship approach to evangelism that gauges success or failure on how many converts we are able to "make a decision". But when we read the Bible correctly we see that our commission isn't to make "sales" for Christ, but to share the good news of the Gospel. If you have been able to get people to listen to you when you have shared the Gospel, and you see that you have given them food for thought, then you have succeeded. We have to remember that some are sowers of the Word in the body of Christ, and others are reapers. This means that there are some who are able to lead people to Christ without effort, and this is because others have sowed the seed in their lives beforehand, perhaps over many years, and that seed has germinated and matured, and the time has come when it just took a little effort on the part of the reaper to get that person into the kingdom of God.

 

[David Hunter]

A friend from church and I are headed to the town square to pass out tracts and engage in conversation this Friday at 6:30pm EST. Prayers are appreciated!

 

[1Tonne]

Will do. Good on you.

 

[Serendipitous Waffle]

You are absolutely right 1tonne, and I salute your efforts! Witnessing is something I'd truly love to do, however social anxiety makes such things hard for me.

 

[David Hunter]

You are absolutely right 1tonne, and I salute your efforts! Witnessing is something I'd truly love to do, however social anxiety makes such things hard for me.

Cast all your anxiety on the Lord, because He cares for you! I know for me the anxiety goes up when I'm about to start, but then the Spirit takes over and you follow the Spirit's lead. You got this!

 

[1Tonne]

You are absolutely right 1tonne, and I salute your efforts! Witnessing is something I'd truly love to do, however social anxiety makes such things hard for me.

“The church today lacks this. The Holy Spirit descended as a tongue. It is the Spirit that transforms our tongues. Those that couldn’t talk became preachers. The disciples received a message. They received power, clarity and boldness and they started preaching the Gospel.” Brother Yun
Pray the Holy Spirit overflows in you and words come out.
I look at this quote and at the time when the Holy Spirit descended, the Holy Spirit gave the people in the upper room the ability to speak different languages and they spoke of the Kingdom of God in those languages. This was because there were many others from different countries there at that time, and they heard, and some believed. I believe that I have been given the gift of tongues but in English (Not a foreign language). I have a passion to share about the Kingdom of God to the lost. It is an overflowing. So, pray for the Holy Spirit to overflow so that your fears are overcome and that you will speak boldly and clear.

Also, take some time to prepare what you are going to say so that you have a gameplan. Eventually, when you get enough confidence, you will not have to stick with the gameplan, but often, when starting out, it is best to have one.

 

[Lost Witness]

“The church today lacks this. The Holy Spirit descended as a tongue. It is the Spirit that transforms our tongues. Those that couldn’t talk became preachers. The disciples received a message. They received power, clarity and boldness and they started preaching the Gospel.” Brother Yun
Pray the Holy Spirit overflows in you and words come out.
I look at this quote and at the time when the Holy Spirit descended, the Holy Spirit gave the people in the upper room the ability to speak different languages and they spoke of the Kingdom of God in those languages. This was because there were many others from different countries there at that time, and they heard, and some believed. I believe that I have been given the gift of tongues but in English (Not a foreign language). I have a passion to share about the Kingdom of God to the lost. It is an overflowing. So, pray for the Holy Spirit to overflow so that your fears are overcome and that you will speak boldly and clear.

Also, take some time to prepare what you are going to say so that you have a gameplan. Eventually, when you get enough confidence, you will not have to stick with the gameplan, but often, when starting out, it is best to have one.

Maybe you've been called to evangelism?

 

[1Tonne]

Some people may not like this post. So, read at your own risk.

Maybe you've been called to evangelism?

I believe we all have. When Jesus commanded the disciples to go and preach the gospel to all creation, He was speaking to the disciples. We who believe are now Jesus disciples in this age.

Sadly, I believe that there are a number of things within most believers that give them reason not to speak out the Gospel.
1. Lack of belief
2. Lack of love for God
3. Lack of love for their neighbour
4. Misunderstanding of what the gift of evangelism is
5. Friendship evangelism is taught above proclamation
6. Proclamation evangelism not being taught
....there is most likely more.

1. Lack of belief.
If you saw a house on fire, you would yell and warn whoever is inside. You do this because you believe that people are going to burn to death. You would not let it be on your conscience that you did nothing. Likewise, though, if you truly believe in an everlasting punishment for unbelievers, you will warn everyone you saw. But most believers never warn of the coming judgement.
I believe that we should all have a passion to verbally share the Gospel. If we believe, then it would be wrong for us to simply allow the lost to come under condemnation and go to hell. That would be terrible. That would be like looking at someone drowning, and there is a buoyancy ring beside you but you cannot be bothered to throw it. In fact, there is a law against this. It is called Depraved Indifference. If someone knows the good they ought to do and does not do it, and someone dies, then a person can go to jail for not acting to do what is right. And if man’s court recognises this injustice, how much more will God recognise it on the day of judgement. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17. We are to do as Jesus said and preach the Gospel to as many people as possible.
Sadly, I also believe that many non-believers see our lack of evangelism, and this gives the unbeliever evidence that our God is not real. Our absence of action shows our level of belief. So, our actions, or lack of, give the unbeliever evidence that many who profess to believe, do not fully believe that there is a Hell. If they did believe, they would be horrified and do whatever they could to stop others going there.

"It has always been difficult to understand those evangelical Christians who…say they serve the Lord, but they divide their days as to leave plenty of time to play and relax and enjoy the pleasures of this world. They are at ease while the world burns." A. W. Tozer

2. Lack of love for God
Jesus commanded us in Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone."
“The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.” …. John 14:21
If you truly love Him, you will do as He has asked of us.

3. Lack of love for their neighbour
If you truly love your neighbour, you will hate for them to go to hell. You would do anything to stop it. You would warn them. Also, the more you love someone, the more you will be willing to risk it all for them. So if you are afraid, pray for more love for God and also more love for your neighbour.

4. Misunderstanding of what the gift of evangelism is
The gift of evangelism is often misunderstood. Many believe it some special type of speech that God has given to an individual that when people hear, they will believe. But this is a wrong understanding.
The gift of evangelism is an inward gifting. So, it is for the church. Those that have this gift will go out and evangelise, but their actual gift is for equipping the people in the church to evangelise.
Ephesians 4:11-12 "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."

5. Friendship evangelism is taught above proclamation.
Most pastors are afraid to go into public and tell people the Gospel. They may say the Gospel in church but not in public. So, they choose to do it an easier way which is friendship evangelism. This is taught a lot in churches while, the proclamation of the Gospel is very much secondary. There are a few issues with Friendship Evangelism. First, it slows down the proclamation of the Gospel. If we truly believe that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, then we would tell as many people as possible. But with friendship evangelism, we get alongside someone and then, when we think it is right, we finally say the Gospel. This can take months, if not years to get to this place. So, the proclamation is slowed down massively. Satan loves this.
Also, if we do get alongside someone, we invite them to church and we can end up filling the church with many who only believe because their friend believes. Their faith is really only based on our belief. And since the church is filled with weak believers, the pastor then does sermons to suit this type of congregation. Thus, the true believer only ever gets milky sermons and struggles to grow. With this cycle, the church will only ever get weaker and weaker.
I do believe that we are to do friendship evangelism, but really, I do not believe that we are taking up our cross with this style of evangelism and it should never be put before proclamation evangelism. Friendship evangelism is just who we are. We are nice people.
NOTE: There is now any verse in the bible that teaches friendship evangelism. That is to go and make friends and wait until you are comfortable to say the Gospel.

Quote: "If he joins the fellowship, what was his reasoning? Friendship or has he come under the grace of God?"

6. Proclamation evangelism not being taught
This very much ties in with the previous point. Proclamation needs to be taught more. Many believers need training to be able to speak confidently to others. They may believe but they do not know how to say the Gospel. Though, if someone has the Holy Spirit in them, then they should have a drive to learn how to share the Good News with others. As with those in the upper room, the Holy Spirit gave them the words to speak. Obviously, they were given words to say in other languages because there were many from other countries there at that time. And so, the Gospel would spread from there. We may not speak in other languages, but the Holy Spirit can give us the boldness and the correct words to say.
An anonymous quote. "As pastors, we encouraged our people, we didn’t equip them. The Five Fold Ministries job is to equip the saints. Not to pamper them. We were so happy that we had a crowd that we forgot that we have an assignment to raise an army.

We are not being equipped in our churches

 

[1Tonne]

This is a vid that lasts about 40 seconds that goes with point number 4. Misunderstanding of what the gift of evangelism is

 

[1Tonne]

A friend from church and I are headed to the town square to pass out tracts and engage in conversation this Friday at 6:30pm EST. Prayers are appreciated!

How did it go? Any cool stories? I even think that when someone gets angry at you, that it can be a cool story. So, keen to hear.

 

[David Hunter]

How did it go? Any cool stories? I even think that when someone gets angry at you, that it can be a cool story. So, keen to hear.

Thanks for checking in! I was getting nervous as I approached and saw a ton of people sitting in the square so I wasn't sure what was going on (There was supposed to be a Christmas theme and then a concert at 8:30). I got there at 6:30pm met up with my friends and I guess there was some Peter Pan thing going on for the kids.

My friend Warner and I decided not to walk into the crowd, but walked around the inner and outer part of the square as people were coming in and walking around. Only engaged in one conversation with a homeless guy trying to get back to Colorado, so I was able to quickly share Jesus with him. I pray for next time that I'd get into a deeper conversation, as he kept talking about his travels and medicine he needs for his tooth. I felt bad for him but we did provide some of his needs for him.

Some people took tracts and others turned them down. I did give a tract to a muslim couple who was parked on the side of the road. She was in the passenger seat with the window down so as I walked by I offered a tract and she looked at me and then asked her husband about it who reached over and asked what it is. I told him it's the Gospel of Jesus and he took it and said thank you.

So I'd say the soil was worked (as my friend would say). Praying that we continue to at least do this weekly. One thing that was really encouraging for me was Warner's wife Sharon and our sister in Christ, Debbie, stayed in the square on a bench and prayed for us and we walked around. We prayed before we went, then prayed during and then we prayed when we finished. Here they are, not wanting to pass out tracts, but willing to help by praying for us!! Really shows how we are one body with many parts.

 

[Lost Witness]

Some people may not like this post. So, read at your own risk.


I believe we all have. When Jesus commanded the disciples to go and preach the gospel to all creation, He was speaking to the disciples. We who believe are now Jesus disciples in this age.

Sadly, I believe that there are a number of things within most believers that give them reason not to speak out the Gospel.
1. Lack of belief
2. Lack of love for God
3. Lack of love for their neighbour
4. Misunderstanding of what the gift of evangelism is
5. Friendship evangelism is taught above proclamation
6. Proclamation evangelism not being taught
....there is most likely more.

1. Lack of belief.
If you saw a house on fire, you would yell and warn whoever is inside. You do this because you believe that people are going to burn to death. You would not let it be on your conscience that you did nothing. Likewise, though, if you truly believe in an everlasting punishment for unbelievers, you will warn everyone you saw. But most believers never warn of the coming judgement.
I believe that we should all have a passion to verbally share the Gospel. If we believe, then it would be wrong for us to simply allow the lost to come under condemnation and go to hell. That would be terrible. That would be like looking at someone drowning, and there is a buoyancy ring beside you but you cannot be bothered to throw it. In fact, there is a law against this. It is called Depraved Indifference. If someone knows the good they ought to do and does not do it, and someone dies, then a person can go to jail for not acting to do what is right. And if man’s court recognises this injustice, how much more will God recognise it on the day of judgement. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17. We are to do as Jesus said and preach the Gospel to as many people as possible.
Sadly, I also believe that many non-believers see our lack of evangelism, and this gives the unbeliever evidence that our God is not real. Our absence of action shows our level of belief. So, our actions, or lack of, give the unbeliever evidence that many who profess to believe, do not fully believe that there is a Hell. If they did believe, they would be horrified and do whatever they could to stop others going there.

"It has always been difficult to understand those evangelical Christians who…say they serve the Lord, but they divide their days as to leave plenty of time to play and relax and enjoy the pleasures of this world. They are at ease while the world burns." A. W. Tozer

2. Lack of love for God
Jesus commanded us in Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone."
“The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.” …. John 14:21
If you truly love Him, you will do as He has asked of us.

3. Lack of love for their neighbour
If you truly love your neighbour, you will hate for them to go to hell. You would do anything to stop it. You would warn them. Also, the more you love someone, the more you will be willing to risk it all for them. So if you are afraid, pray for more love for God and also more love for your neighbour.

4. Misunderstanding of what the gift of evangelism is
The gift of evangelism is often misunderstood. Many believe it some special type of speech that God has given to an individual that when people hear, they will believe. But this is a wrong understanding.
The gift of evangelism is an inward gifting. So, it is for the church. Those that have this gift will go out and evangelise, but their actual gift is for equipping the people in the church to evangelise.
Ephesians 4:11-12 "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."

5. Friendship evangelism is taught above proclamation.
Most pastors are afraid to go into public and tell people the Gospel. They may say the Gospel in church but not in public. So, they choose to do it an easier way which is friendship evangelism. This is taught a lot in churches while, the proclamation of the Gospel is very much secondary. There are a few issues with Friendship Evangelism. First, it slows down the proclamation of the Gospel. If we truly believe that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, then we would tell as many people as possible. But with friendship evangelism, we get alongside someone and then, when we think it is right, we finally say the Gospel. This can take months, if not years to get to this place. So, the proclamation is slowed down massively. Satan loves this.
Also, if we do get alongside someone, we invite them to church and we can end up filling the church with many who only believe because their friend believes. Their faith is really only based on our belief. And since the church is filled with weak believers, the pastor then does sermons to suit this type of congregation. Thus, the true believer only ever gets milky sermons and struggles to grow. With this cycle, the church will only ever get weaker and weaker.
I do believe that we are to do friendship evangelism, but really, I do not believe that we are taking up our cross with this style of evangelism and it should never be put before proclamation evangelism. Friendship evangelism is just who we are. We are nice people.
NOTE: There is now any verse in the bible that teaches friendship evangelism. That is to go and make friends and wait until you are comfortable to say the Gospel.

Quote: "If he joins the fellowship, what was his reasoning? Friendship or has he come under the grace of God?"

6. Proclamation evangelism not being taught
This very much ties in with the previous point. Proclamation needs to be taught more. Many believers need training to be able to speak confidently to others. They may believe but they do not know how to say the Gospel. Though, if someone has the Holy Spirit in them, then they should have a drive to learn how to share the Good News with others. As with those in the upper room, the Holy Spirit gave them the words to speak. Obviously, they were given words to say in other languages because there were many from other countries there at that time. And so, the Gospel would spread from there. We may not speak in other languages, but the Holy Spirit can give us the boldness and the correct words to say.
An anonymous quote. "As pastors, we encouraged our people, we didn’t equip them. The Five Fold Ministries job is to equip the saints. Not to pamper them. We were so happy that we had a crowd that we forgot that we have an assignment to raise an army.

We are not being equipped in our churches

Everyone has been called to take a part in the great commission. ( still maturing in my walk. My experience with evangelism is very limited. But I do know I lack boldness)
Meant the office or position?
Just as some are pastor's.