"Witnessing"

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

If one does not witness for Christ he will be lost. Jesus said if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this sinful and adulterous generation the son of man will be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of the Father with his holy angels.

What exactly is witnessing to you? I'm asking 'you' but I am really asking anyone who wants to answer. Is it being that guy who invited every single person they run into throughout the week to church? Is it indeed simply 'inviting people to church'? That what I grew up thinking it was and since I do not have the type of bold personality befitting a top sales person for AMWAY I always stunk at it, and thus assumed to be on the razors edge of being hell bound.

Is merely supporting those who routinely invite people to church good enough in the case of someone who does not have that loud, old "go get em!" demeanor?

[bbyrd009]

Well, Amanah, I would hate to see you leave. You are a great witness!

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

What exactly is witnessing to you? I'm asking 'you' but I am really asking anyone who wants to answer. Is it being that guy who invited every single person they run into throughout the week to church? Is it indeed simply 'inviting people to church'? That what I grew up thinking it was and since I do not have the type of bold personality befitting a top sales person for AMWAY I always stunk at it, and thus assumed to be on the razors edge of being hell bound.

Is merely supporting those who routinely invite people to church good enough in the case of someone who does not have that loud, old "go get em!" demeanor?

Ya, is this "witnessing?" Or is it possible that, omg, the people I learned witnessing from just got it from the Jehovah's Witnesses? Is it possible that witnessing has nothing to do with getting people into the local church?

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

What exactly is witnessing to you? I'm asking 'you' but I am really asking anyone who wants to answer. Is it being that guy who invited every single person they run into throughout the week to church? Is it indeed simply 'inviting people to church'? That what I grew up thinking it was and since I do not have the type of bold personality befitting a top sales person for AMWAY I always stunk at it, and thus assumed to be on the razors edge of being hell bound.

Is merely supporting those who routinely invite people to church good enough in the case of someone who does not have that loud, old "go get em!" demeanor?

I'll start. For me my 'witness' is my life not words. I try to live in a way that is real to those around me in the workplace, in my farm business and in my community. The life of one who goes the distance and more even when others give up, who loves others even those who are often considered unloveable. And I want it to be known that the reason for this is God in me and not me personally.

When one does this even marginally it brings questions from those around. I am considered 'different' on my job. Not untouchable or stuck up but also not someone who can be sucked in to whatever discontent is going on in the moment. When those I am close to here (and that is all 50 other employees)have a problem they will often come into my office, close the door and ask for help of some kind or for prayer. These moments are an opertunity to share WHO is really our help and how to reach Him. Of course my POV about details is not important in those moments... simply getting them in touch with the God of the universe is And to me THAT is being a witness.

I am but one small person but there are many of me and we grow others like us every day.... and God smiles.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I'll start. For me my 'witness' is my life not words. I try to live in a way that is real to those around me in the workplace, in my farm business and in my community. The life of one who goes the distance and more even when others give up, who loves others even those who are often considered unloveable. And I want it to be known that the reason for this is God in me and not me personally.

When one does this even marginally it brings questions from those around. I am considered 'different' on my job. Not untouchable or stuck up but also not someone who can be sucked in to whatever discontent is going on in the moment. When those I am close to here (and that is all 50 other employees)have a problem they will often come into my office, close the door and ask for help of some kind or for prayer. These moments are an opertunity to share WHO is really our help and how to reach Him. Of course my POV about details is not important in those moments... simply getting them in touch with the God of the universe is And to me THAT is being a witness.

I am but one small person but there are many of me and we grow others like us every day.... and God smiles.

This is pretty much how I have come to define witnessing during the past decade. However it took a while because the concept of "Soul Winning" where everyone talked about how "I won this person" or "that person" or "the other person" to Jesus. In many cases I couldn't help but think that God looked at THOSE bed posts notches in the same way he looked at mine -In fact He probably looks at that sort of boasting WORSE then he looked at my "bragging". Wing wink nudge nudge say more.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

This is pretty much how I have come to define witnessing during the past decade. However it took a while because the concept of "Soul Winning" where everyone talked about how "I won this person" or "that person" or "the other person" to Jesus. In many cases I couldn't help but think that God looked at THOSE bed posts notches in the same way he looked at mine -In fact He probably looks at that sort of boasting WORSE then he looked at my "bragging". Wing wink nudge nudge say more.

A lady stood and "testified" one Sunday about how she "won" someone to the Lord, and she actually made the "score one for me" gesture in the air!

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Timmy

A lady stood and "testified" one Sunday about how she "won" someone to the Lord, and she actually made the "score one for me" gesture in the air!

Sometimes we are so ridiculous.. That one had to make God chuckle.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Amanah,

I first came here in... ummm 2008 I think and had a look around.. This place seemed very harsh then and I backed away without a single post. Had another look in about once a year and found it the same... When I realy decided to ditch my OP church I made a commitment to try to establish community here so as to not be completely out of touch with my apostolic identity... But I still find very little in the way of 'friendship' here. Mostly anything a person says is not lovingly supported but is picked to pieces. Right now that is good for me, at some point in time in the future (probably when I am again connected to a group of Christians IRL) I do not think my spirit will abide AFF.

I just wanted to say that I see your perception as real and not just over sensitive imaginings.

If you guys go, who will there be for me to talk to (I know of a few others, but you know what I am saying)? I would miss you gals very much. You have provided stimulating discussion, even if we disagree on a number of issues. However, you have never been harsh, and I have appreciated our stimulating discourses.

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

This is pretty much how I have come to define witnessing during the past decade. However it took a while because the concept of "Soul Winning" where everyone talked about how "I won this person" or "that person" or "the other person" to Jesus. In many cases I couldn't help but think that God looked at THOSE bed posts notches in the same way he looked at mine -In fact He probably looks at that sort of boasting WORSE then he looked at my "bragging". Wing wink nudge nudge say more.

My family has always had a different view of 'soul winning'. My dad/pastor once asked to who a converted soul belonged. It goes something like this:

A person prays for the lost souls in their community, but is not very effective at bringing people to church. A second person excels at convincing people to come, but is not able to pray well with people at the altar. A third person can pray almost anybody through if they are ready, but struggles to teach a home Bible study. A fourth person can ground new people in the faith, but is not gifted in any of the other areas. The preacher preaches the word, but has less contact than any of the others due to his responsibilities. The convert is won, but to whom does the soul belong? The prayer warrior, the witness, the altar worker, the teacher, and the pastor all played a role. The convert must therefore belong to God.

Dad explained this principle to a lady in the church where we were attending because she was feeling condemnation for not being able to bring people to church and see them pray through (the pastor was big on everybody 'winning souls' and had stated that if you did not get people to come to church you would end in Hell). The lady was an excellent altar worker and teacher, but was not gifted in outreach. After this was explained to her, she felt more at ease, and had an easier time because she knew where she fit in the work.

I fear that we have taken too much from the 'Christian world' when it comes to our approach to soul winning. We should all bear in mind the words of Paul to the Corinthians. "Some plant, some water, but it is God who gives the increase."

Originally Posted by Timmy

A lady stood and "testified" one Sunday about how she "won" someone to the Lord, and she actually made the "score one for me" gesture in the air!

I find that to be both amusing and sad. She actually was one of many who brought that soul in. She has her reward.

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Sometimes we are so ridiculous.. That one had to make God chuckle.

I think that God would have rewarded her in a much better way, but because of her pride she has had her reward. I hope that I never have to face God after having an attitude like that.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Jay

My family has always had a different view of 'soul winning'. My dad/pastor once asked to who a converted soul belonged. It goes something like this:

A person prays for the lost souls in their community, but is not very effective at bringing people to church. A second person excels at convincing people to come, but is not able to pray well with people at the altar. A third person can pray almost anybody through if they are ready, but struggles to teach a home Bible study. A fourth person can ground new people in the faith, but is not gifted in any of the other areas. The preacher preaches the word, but has less contact than any of the others due to his responsibilities. The convert is won, but to whom does the soul belong? The prayer warrior, the witness, the altar worker, the teacher, and the pastor all played a role. The convert must therefore belong to God.

Dad explained this principle to a lady in the church where we were attending because she was feeling condemnation for not being able to bring people to church and see them pray through (the pastor was big on everybody 'winning souls' and had stated that if you did not get people to come to church you would end in Hell). The lady was an excellent altar worker and teacher, but was not gifted in outreach. After this was explained to her, she felt more at ease, and had an easier time because she knew where she fit in the work.

Excellent post! That is almost EXACTLY how I look at things. I would even add to the mix that there are some who may do none of the above and yet help financially to support those others, which is yet another type of worker.