Is there a term used to call evangelism by going out around campus and approaching random people?
What do you call random evangelism?
- Thread starter innerlink
- Start date
That might be what innerlink was getting at anyway.
I think it's termed street evangelism, even if it's not on the street. Cold calling.
If someone approached you and you weren't comfortable, just know that many Christians aren't comfortable with that either. Sometimes it's worth doing, because people find out about concerts and meetings they might enjoy. And prayer never hurts, while asking someone to change their whole core of faith in a few minutes (for a stranger) might.
Jesus did street evangelism, but people tended to follow him and ask questions, rather than Him stopping people from what they were doing.
Jesus singled out Zaccheus who was already trying to get a peek, and a woman in the crowd who was trying to get healing. The most similar example was probably when James and John were sitting around mending their nets -- a time-consuming task where people sit and talk while they work.
I think it's termed street evangelism, even if it's not on the street. Cold calling.
If someone approached you and you weren't comfortable, just know that many Christians aren't comfortable with that either. Sometimes it's worth doing, because people find out about concerts and meetings they might enjoy. And prayer never hurts, while asking someone to change their whole core of faith in a few minutes (for a stranger) might.
Jesus did street evangelism, but people tended to follow him and ask questions, rather than Him stopping people from what they were doing.
Jesus singled out Zaccheus who was already trying to get a peek, and a woman in the crowd who was trying to get healing. The most similar example was probably when James and John were sitting around mending their nets -- a time-consuming task where people sit and talk while they work.
Upvote
0
Nadiine
Well-Known Member
- Apr 14, 2006
- 52,800
- 48,336
- Faith
- Non-Denom
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
I don't know that it's entirely ineffective - but I personally am not led in any way to just head out & witness door to door - store to store - corner to corner....
IMHO, only people that are led by God & have a certain type of outgoing personality do that kind of thing.
But I wouldn't say that God doesn't call people to random witnessing (I think they call it street witnessing?).
I think it can reach some and turn others off at the same time.
Upvote
0
I think it can be effective for certain people, in certain circumstances. The conversation needs to be respectful of the person's existing thoughts.... an offer of information and opportunity, not a demand for the person to change.
A bad circumstance -- when a person is trying to get to class in a hurry, trying to get their homework done, or already engaged in a meaningful conversation.
A good circumstance -- when people are sitting around killing time. Offering prayer and counseling right after a traumatic event. Handing out invitations to a campus event.
A bad circumstance -- when a person is trying to get to class in a hurry, trying to get their homework done, or already engaged in a meaningful conversation.
A good circumstance -- when people are sitting around killing time. Offering prayer and counseling right after a traumatic event. Handing out invitations to a campus event.
Upvote
0
I wasn't trying to imply anything bad about it... I just wanted to know the term, but couldn't find it on Wikipedia
Upvote
0
"useless" and "annoying" are terms that come to my mind from what I have seen of people who do this.
Slightly insane?
Upvote
0
Jesus went where the people were. So do we.
We just call it evangelism or open air preaching. We've seen several people come to the Lord this way. Just last week, we went out to the fair in Cecil County and saw two people come to repentance and put their faith in Christ.
When I was in New York, I used to go and share the Gospel in Battery Park all the time. We saw a lot of people come to the Lord there.
New York City is such a great mission field.
Also had a great time doing it in Philly in Rittenhouse Square and on the Penn/Drexel campuses. Used to go to 30th Street Station quite a bit, too.
innerlink, if you want to learn more about this from the perspective of the Christians who do it, try going to http://adventuresinchristianity.com or http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/
Personally, I think it's funny that someone would say that it's "ineffective" when so many people have been lead to the Lord this way. I've got to believe that the problem isn't with Jesus' command to go and preach the Gospel, but with the Gospel that they're preaching.
We just call it evangelism or open air preaching. We've seen several people come to the Lord this way. Just last week, we went out to the fair in Cecil County and saw two people come to repentance and put their faith in Christ.
When I was in New York, I used to go and share the Gospel in Battery Park all the time. We saw a lot of people come to the Lord there.
New York City is such a great mission field.
Also had a great time doing it in Philly in Rittenhouse Square and on the Penn/Drexel campuses. Used to go to 30th Street Station quite a bit, too.
innerlink, if you want to learn more about this from the perspective of the Christians who do it, try going to http://adventuresinchristianity.com or http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/
Personally, I think it's funny that someone would say that it's "ineffective" when so many people have been lead to the Lord this way. I've got to believe that the problem isn't with Jesus' command to go and preach the Gospel, but with the Gospel that they're preaching.
Upvote
0
Nadiine
Well-Known Member
- Apr 14, 2006
- 52,800
- 48,336
- Faith
- Non-Denom
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
I've definitely seen people reached by outreaches - my daughter in law went on them into Utah.
I just don't think that every person is "gifted" to do that type of ministry. I believe God raises up people that are able to walk up to strangers & witness that way - others do it other ways.
Upvote
0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums
Okay, couldn't tell.I wasn't trying to imply anything bad about it... I just wanted to know the term, but couldn't find it on Wikipedia
Upvote
0
On the contrary actually. Strangely, alot of people are actually quite interested and some are even more than happy to get into a debate with you.
Especially in colleges where fresh minds are just itching for a religious duel.
Upvote
0
Yes, when one fires a shotgun into the air, a few of the pellets may sometimes hit something.
But I believe it's best to have an intended target that you are led by the Spirit to shoot at if you want to have more success in hitting someone who is receptive to the Gospel of Christ.
Blessings
But I believe it's best to have an intended target that you are led by the Spirit to shoot at if you want to have more success in hitting someone who is receptive to the Gospel of Christ.
Blessings
Upvote
0
But Jesus Christ has told us to take the Gospel into all of the world, that implies that we're to share the Gospel with anyone we have an opportunity to share it with, not to sit around and wait for the Holy Spirit to tell us who, specifically to share it with.
Can you give us any examples from scripture that tell us that we're only supposed to share the Gospel with certain people?
Upvote
0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums
I've definitely seen people reached by outreaches - my daughter in law went on them into Utah.
I just don't think that every person is "gifted" to do that type of ministry. I believe God raises up people that are able to walk up to strangers & witness that way - others do it other ways.
Moses didn't think he was equipped to go and do what God told Him to, either, but the bottom line is that God has commanded us to do it, whether we believe we're equipped or not.
Believe me, I know what you're talking about. In my wildest imagination, I never would have believed that I'd be ministering in churches or preaching the Gospel and helping to lead my church, but here I am.
What happens is that we get so caught up in doing it ourselves and in our own power that we forget that we're supposed to be relying on God's power. If you're depending on yourself, then you're right. You'll never be equipped. But if you trust that the God who called you to do it will give you the words and the ability to speak, then you'll do great things.
You say that not everyone is "gifted" to do it, but is it possible that you're confusing the act of evangelism, to which we're all called, with the office of evangelist, to which God has only called certain people?
Upvote
0
It might not seem like Christians (ungifted) share the gospel, but there are many subtle ways that we often forget:
One of the most powerful statements for Christ that comes to mind -- a woman used to walk through the Sunday school rooms and pray to herself for each child. I knew what was happening, even though she didn't announce it -- because every crying baby would quiet down as she walked in the door.
That was the power of God, an expression of her faith, and spreading the good news that God wants to help us, even when we don't deserve it!
- teaching vacation Bible school (community visitors)
- visiting friends in hospital and praying for them
- attending funerals and speaking of God's love
- talking with friends of your kids, keeping your house open
- writing to servicemen
- donating books
- talking with evangelists of other religions that visit
- Singing in nursing homes
- teaching adult Sunday school or Bible studies that are open to the public
- talking with extended family about your spiritual experiences
- asking marginal believers for prayer about family crises (showing you believe in the power of prayer and expect them to also)
One of the most powerful statements for Christ that comes to mind -- a woman used to walk through the Sunday school rooms and pray to herself for each child. I knew what was happening, even though she didn't announce it -- because every crying baby would quiet down as she walked in the door.
That was the power of God, an expression of her faith, and spreading the good news that God wants to help us, even when we don't deserve it!
Upvote
0
Those things are good, but they're not evangelism.
Remember, the Bible doesn't tell us to spread the Gospel by doing good works, but by the preaching of God's word.
It's good to do good works, but if you haven't shared the Gospel, those good works, good as they may be, aren't evangelism and what you really end up doing isn't evangelizing, but telling your neighbor what a good guy you are because you did all of these good works.
Upvote
0
Similar threads
