Outreach..

[Miracle Storm]

Seems CF is in for a new turn of concentrating on inreach rather than outreach..
I am curious, do Christians believe outreach is important? What is outreach to you? Is it just you talking or a conversation that involves you and the person who is deciding if they want to walk with you..?

 

[seashale76]

Seems CF is in for a new turn of concentrating on inreach rather than outreach..
I am curious, do Christians believe outreach is important? What is outreach to you? Is it just you talking or a conversation that involves you and the person who is deciding if they want to walk with you..?

CF has its own set of issues, doesn't it? I'll try not to go there, as much as I'd like to.

For the most part, I think it is important to answer any questions about our faith that people may want to know. To me, the internet isn't real life and shouldn't be a substitute for it and real relationships. However, I have no problem attempting to answer questions since this forum is here. Yet, I see a lot of people who abuse the purpose of this forum (both Christians and non-Christians) and attempt to make it just another apologetics board, which also has its place and is meant to be more of an exchange and open dialogue. This board isn't meant to serve any other purpose than question /answer and I take it to mean that it is meant more for seekers.

Outreach to me is helping people and expecting nothing in return, and having no strings attached. Ex: Giving food to people who need it and then not expecting them to come to your Church in return. So, in the truest sense of the word, I don't consider this forum to be true outreach.

 

[Staccato]

I think seashale gave an excellent answer, and I agree with the fact that, increasingly so, a number of non-Christians appear to be asking questions not in order to receive answers or clarification, but in an attempt to start arguments or provoke antagonistic debate. Not that I think Outreach is a bad idea, far from it. Non-Christians should always have a place to come for guidance on matters that they have difficulty with, or want a Christian view on matters. To answer such questions or problems to the best of our ability is, I believe, the purpose of this outreach board, but not outreach in general.

 

[Miracle Storm]

I think seashale gave an excellent answer, and I agree with the fact that, increasingly so, a number of non-Christians appear to be asking questions not in order to receive answers or clarification, but in an attempt to start arguments or provoke antagonistic debate. Not that I think Outreach is a bad idea, far from it. Non-Christians should always have a place to come for guidance on matters that they have difficulty with, or want a Christian view on matters. To answer such questions or problems to the best of our ability is, I believe, the purpose of this outreach board, but not outreach in general.

I believe you are not seeing what you think you are seeing..

Non Christains are not being antagonistic..(well sure there are exceptions..) But they ask challenging questions..Some of who ask these challenging questions want real answers..because even if they are a totally strong atheist don't you think they would love to discover God was actually real?
So the Christians who cannot hang with challenging questions probably shouldn't participate..because if they can't answer specific questions they are likely to get defensive and think they non christians are just trying to get their feathers ruffled..But I can tell you that For me that is not true. BUT I do seek hard..to those who don't have answers to what I seek they think I am trying to deconvert them or upset them and neither are true..

 

[Bryan519]

I believe you are not seeing what you think you are seeing..

Non Christains are not being antagonistic..(well sure there are exceptions..) But they ask challenging questions..Some of who ask these challenging questions want real answers..because even if they are a totally strong atheist don't you think they would love to discover God was actually real?
So the Christians who cannot hang with challenging questions probably shouldn't participate..because if they can't answer specific questions they are likely to get defensive and think they non christians are just trying to get their feathers ruffled..But I can tell you that For me that is not true. BUT I do seek hard..to those who don't have answers to what I seek they think I am trying to deconvert them or upset them and neither are true..

I absolutely believe in outreach. I also believe that simply being a christian doesn't automatically equate to being a punching bag. We are called to be soldiers of Christ. A target makes a poor soldier. That being said, I agree with you that non-christians pose some very challenging questions, questions with which I, myself wrestle with. I do not think it behooves the christian to simply ignore questions that pose a challenge to their faith. On the contrary, I believe we should constantly challenge our own faith so that we can be better prepared to answer those difficult questions when non-christians ask them.

However, I have seen words such as "foolishness", "ignorant", "idiocy" thrown around in this forum which is very disrespectful to those who are here to engage in outreach while knowing that they stand in the fire to do so.

I say keep posing those challenging questions, but do so in a respectful way.

 

[Miracle Storm]

I absolutely believe in outreach. I also believe that simply being a christian doesn't automatically equate to being a punching bag. We are called to be soldiers of Christ. A target makes a poor soldier. That being said, I agree with you that non-christians pose some very challenging questions, questions with which I, myself wrestle with. I do not think it behooves the christian to simply ignore questions that pose a challenge to their faith. On the contrary, I believe we should constantly challenge our own faith so that we can be better prepared to answer those difficult questions when non-christians ask them.

However, I have seen words such as "foolishness", "ignorant", "idiocy" thrown around in this forum which is very disrespectful to those who are here to engage in outreach while knowing that they stand in the fire to do so.

I say keep posing those challenging questions, but do so in a respectful way.

Thank you and good for you..I am so glad that you believe challenging questions are needed for not only Christian growth, but also the possibility that some atheists are still seeking, but are very hard nuts to crack..
But anyone who is calling christians names or saying bad things about others beliefs are just flaming and I don't see how anyone thinks they can make a point that way..It works both ways though. Many a Christian has said mean things to me because I don't believe as they do..and it just shouldn't be done.

 

[ebia]

Seems CF is in for a new turn of concentrating on inreach rather than outreach..
I am curious, do Christians believe outreach is important? What is outreach to you? Is it just you talking or a conversation that involves you and the person who is deciding if they want to walk with you..?

Maybe half the problem starts with talking about "outreach" in the first place. To my ear it has two problems - firstly it sounds like something that is separate (or worse, an add-on to) everything else we do as Christians, and secondly because it implies a standing-here while reaching over to drag people to where we are.

Mission, on the other hand, recognises that everything the church does and is is about being for the world what Jesus was for Israel, and secondly that we are sent into the world to do that.

Outreach has an objective of taking people into the church. Mission has an objective of taking the gospel into the world.

There's not much point in engaging in shouting matches with anybody, but a civil discussion is 'mission' whatever the motivation of the person we are talking to and whatever the outcome of it might be. It's only "outreach" if its possible to drag the guy, kicking and screaming, into where we want him to be.

 

[salida]

I agree with Staccato.

And I'm going to add to this; its ashame they want to attempt to start arguments. The thing is- this isn't up for debate when it comes to reality. God is sovern. Also, debate can be a positive thing if your debating with those who are sincere. But debating to try to change ones mind-its like trying to tell someone the moon is the sun - futile especially when one knows the overwhelming evidence of the Bible.

 

[Bryan519]

Thank you and good for you..I am so glad that you believe challenging questions are needed for not only Christian growth, but also the possibility that some atheists are still seeking, but are very hard nuts to crack..
But anyone who is calling christians names or saying bad things about others beliefs are just flaming and I don't see how anyone thinks they can make a point that way..It works both ways though. Many a Christian has said mean things to me because I don't believe as they do..and it just shouldn't be done.

Agreed.

 

[stumpjumper]

I would say outreach is preaching the Gospel always and, when necessary, using words to do so...

~ paraphrasing St. Francis

 

[Miracle Storm]

I would say outreach is preaching the Gospel always and, when necessary, using words to do so...

~ paraphrasing St. Francis

Hey buddy..(((hugs)))

Beautifully said..
I think too, on a message board it is hard for Christians because they ALWAYS have to use there words and some will take anything they say and twist it..

But I wish others would believe that just because non christians question, challenge or debate a subject to death doesn't mean they are refusing to listen or are a brickwall..but Some are searching and seeking so hard you couldn't even imagine..I would venture to say some fall asleep crying at night begging God if he is there to show Himself..

So to whoever thinks their calling is outreach (which should be all christians..I do know something on the subject as was once one..) Don't give up just because someone seems like a brick wall you never know what your words and actions are doing in their heart..(good or bad)..even if it does not show in their posts..

Please Never Forget We are all in this together..Even if you think we don't have truth yet..or even if you believe we never will..Non Christians have families, children, jobs, hopes, dreams, tramatic events in their lives...etc..just like any of you..
I wonder if it would help that though we are not sisters or brothers in Christ if people who had a heart for outreach would think of us as family..as I have said before we are all brothers and sisters of humanity.

I have much love in my heart and though I can't believe what I want to so badly..I hope that new understandings can be formed and whatever turn CF is making is something that can bring a new compassion and insight to us all for each other..

 

[Bryan519]

Hey buddy..(((hugs)))

Beautifully said..
I think too, on a message board it is hard for Christians because they ALWAYS have to use there words and some will take anything they say and twist it..

But I wish others would believe that just because non christians question, challenge or debate a subject to death doesn't mean they are refusing to listen or are a brickwall..but Some are searching and seeking so hard you couldn't even imagine..I would venture to say some fall asleep crying at night begging God if he is there to show Himself..

So to whoever thinks their calling is outreach (which should be all christians..I do know something on the subject as was once one..) Don't give up just because someone seems like a brick wall you never know what your words and actions are doing in their heart..(good or bad)..even if it does not show in their posts..

Please Never Forget We are all in this together..Even if you think we don't have truth yet..or even if you believe we never will..Non Christians have families, children, jobs, hopes, dreams, tramatic events in their lives...etc..just like any of you..
I wonder if it would help that though we are not sisters or brothers in Christ if people who had a heart for outreach would think of us as family..as I have said before we are all brothers and sisters of humanity.

I have much love in my heart and though I can't believe what I want to so badly..I hope that new understandings can be formed and whatever turn CF is making is something that can bring a new compassion and insight to us all for each other..

Well said Miracle Storm. You have given us all something to consider.

 

[Normski]

"But I wish others would believe that just because non christians question, challenge or debate a subject to death doesn't mean they are refusing to listen or are a brickwall..but Some are searching and seeking so hard you couldn't even imagine.."

Thank you so much for such an understanding attitude. I really would like to believe, but I have a very strong scepticism - which I hope by speaking to those with faith, I will eventually overcome.