Cults evangelize more than Christians, is this true?

No idea. But you're right, something should really be done about it.

You mean door to door and street preaching type of evangelizing? I have a mate who attends a new type of catholic church where they hold deliverance services, speak in tongues & the like. They also do a lot of street evangelizing.

JohnB445 said:

Cults like JW, LDS, WMSCOG.

It's just my observation from my experience, which I find really sad.

I don't see Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestantism evangelizing.

Why is this?

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It is sad.
Lets send the problem to committee.

It can be that Christians evangelize by our example . . . like 1 Peter 3:1-4 says can be done.

But also there is making a point of doing outreach. There are people who do this.

And there are service ministries to the needy, during which evangelizing is done.

JohnB445 said:

Cults like JW, LDS, WMSCOG.

It's just my observation from my experience, which I find really sad.

I don't see Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestantism evangelizing.

Why is this?

Click to expand...

Some cults teach that salvation is by works. So they witness under compulsion. I would not agree that Protestants do not evangelise. The Billy Graham organisation still sends out Franklin and Will Graham on crusades. Bayless Conley ministers often in Europe. As to individual Christians, yes, they are not so inclined to witness. There are a number of reasons. Many who call themselves believers are unsure of their salvation. Many see it as the Pastor's job and many Pastors do not equip their people to preach. I can't speak for non Protestants. Our small fellowship does some street witnessing. It's not easy. People tend to be indifferent or sometimes aggressive. We've had some good responses.

I suppose what can happen is people hear the big-name preachers, and they feel they aren't great enough or good enough to evangelize.

But Jesus did personal . . . one-on-one . . . evangelizing. And I personally think that could be what was the most effective! And Jesus made it clear how the good of Christianity is not what is possible with humans, but all God desires and commands is possible with God having us share all His good with Him.

And I think it was very important, how Jesus spent personal time with His disciples and others who believed in and honored Jesus.

Their calling was not only to go out to preach, but He chose them >

"that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach" (in Mark 3:14)

So, by the way, I now would say a call to preach first means Jesus wants to spend personal time with the person, so the preacher personally knows how Jesus is and therefore can represent Him well . . . including by example of how Jesus loves . . . after experiencing how Jesus has loved and shared with the person. And this includes talking about how Jesus is correcting us . . . not only about what we should not do, but how to relate.

Aussie Pete said:

Our small fellowship does some street witnessing. It's not easy. People tend to be indifferent or sometimes aggressive. We've had some good responses.

Click to expand...

Amen, about how there will be good results > 1 Corinthians 15:58.

I think I have seen how a group can set up where they can speak, and people are free to stop and listen or listen to a few things while walking by. And what can happen is you can feed the sheep, and then the sheep can talk personally with people who need to be reached. It is important how the sheep need to be taken care of, so we are healthy examples who can feed and care for newborn adopted children of God.

So, in case the main focus is evangelism, this could be not the way to do it. To me, it seems that much of our New Testament is about how God desires to bless the sheep. And then our example can help win people who want what we have. They need to see how we are family, and God is personal with us . . . not distant and mainly theoretical and doctrinal.

com7fy8 said:

I suppose what can happen is people hear the big-name preachers, and they feel they aren't great enough or good enough to evangelize.

But Jesus did personal . . . one-on-one . . . evangelizing. And I personally think that could be what was the most effective! And Jesus made it clear how the good of Christianity is not what is possible with humans, but all God desires and commands is possible with God having us share all His good with Him.

And I think it was very important, how Jesus spent personal time with His disciples and others who believed in and honored Jesus.

Their calling was not only to go out to preach, but He chose them >

"that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach" (in Mark 3:14)

So, by the way, I now would say a call to preach first means Jesus wants to spend personal time with the person, so the preacher personally knows how Jesus is and therefore can represent Him well . . . including by example of how Jesus loves . . . after experiencing how Jesus has loved and shared with the person. And this includes talking about how Jesus is correcting us . . . not only about what we should not do, but how to relate.

Amen, about how there will be good results > 1 Corinthians 15:58.

I think I have seen how a group can set up where they can speak, and people are free to stop and listen or listen to a few things while walking by. And what can happen is you can feed the sheep, and then the sheep can talk personally with people who need to be reached. It is important how the sheep need to be taken care of, so we are healthy examples who can feed and care for newborn adopted children of God.

So, in case the main focus is evangelism, this could be not the way to do it. To me, it seems that much of our New Testament is about how God desires to bless the sheep. And then our example can help win people who want what we have. They need to see how we are family, and God is personal with us . . . not distant and mainly theoretical and doctrinal.

Click to expand...

The great revival in Wales that started about 1904 was preceded by groups of Chritians getting together and praying. Churches began to be revived first. Unity began to be restored. There was also liberty in the meetings where the pastor no longer dominated proceedings. People were free to pray, give a word and testify as they felt led. I've been in meetings like that. It was amazing. It's how it is supposed to be. Once the churches began to be led by the Spirit, unbelievers were being convicted and saved. It got to the point where there were no big rallies. It was not necessary because most of Wales had heard and accepted the gospel. Revival starts with praying Christians.

JohnB445 said:

Cults like JW, LDS, WMSCOG.

It's just my observation from my experience, which I find really sad.

I don't see Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestantism evangelizing.

Why is this?

Click to expand...

A partial answer...

cults, being cults, famously seek to convert people away from ordinary Christian churches to their own alternative.

By contrast, the usual Christian denominations are much less interested in persuading people to switch from one Christian denomination to another, feeling instead the obligation to bring the Gospel to unchurched and non-Christian peoples.

JohnB445 said:

Cults like JW, LDS, WMSCOG.

It's just my observation from my experience, which I find really sad.

I don't see Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestantism evangelizing.

Why is this?

Click to expand...

Define "evangelism". I'd say, by definition, JW's, Mormons, et all don't evangelize at all. As evangelism is, by definition, Gospel-ing--proclaiming the Good News.

Wherever the Gospel is being faithfully preached, that's evangelism.

Proselytizing =/= evangelism.

-CryptoLutheran

JohnB445 said:

Cults like JW, LDS, WMSCOG.

It's just my observation from my experience, which I find really sad.

I don't see Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestantism evangelizing.

Why is this?

Click to expand...

friend of said:

No idea. But you're right, something should really be done about it.

Click to expand...

request granted

Adventists grow as other churches decline
"Newly released data show Seventh-day Adventism growing by 2.5 percent in North America, a rapid clip for this part of the world, where Southern Baptists and mainline denominations, as well as other church groups are declining. Adventists are even growing 75 percent faster than Mormons (1.4 percent), who prioritize numeric growth."

And we do a lot of evangelistic meetings.

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BTW here is a tip I recently found out about when witnessing to Mormon missionaries -- (always treat them with kindness and respect of course) . Begin by emphasizing how thankful you are that Jesus is your mediator in heaven before the Father... "the one mediator between God and man" 1 Tim 2 and that this specifically applies to you... that you are grateful to God for that blessing.

Ask them if they are aware that in Mormonism their 144,000 also are said to have that same privilege .

See what happens next.