Institutionalized Church / Your Input

[BrainWashed]

Originally Posted by Esaias

How would I know? I do know lots of people complain about others not doing things they themselves aren't doing. So... your answer is that you are evangelizing people outside of the church?

So, what do you do? Open air.ministry? One-on-one? Tracts? Nursing homes? What are you engaged in, and what have you found effective?

Esaias,

Sorry for the late response. I was out-of-state and returned yesterday evening. What is open air ministry?

Here are a few methods I find effective.

• I have business card type tracts that I hand out when meeting people. It basically asks the reader if they're in need of emotional or physical healing (it has all my contact information).

• When God speaks to me about people's personal life, I walk up to the person and tell them. That usually gets their attention really quick.

I don't focus on a certain method. I just live life and allow God to use me anywhere. There really isn't a science to it. It's all about opening your mouth, and your willingness to open your mouth.

One of my hobbies is target shooting, and I do own a lot of firearms. Long time ago I would find myself sparking up conversations with strangers regarding firearms. Then one day God convicted me by telling me, you talk more about guns than you do about me. Yikes! That was a slap on the face that I deserved.

If you're honest with yourself, you'll notice that it's so easy to spark up conversations with strangers about hobbies, etc. However, when it comes to witnessing about God to strangers, we think there's some type of science that's involved in witnessing to strangers. That's how excuses begin. If it was so simple to speak to someone about food or cars, all you need to do is transition that mentality to witnessing.

However, people don't because they're full of excuses. Have you ever been happy over one of your accomplishments and told everyone you know?

It was simple to tell everyone because you were proud of your accomplishments.

How simple it is to talk about something that interest us, yet so difficult to speak with strangers about a God whom we profess to love.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by BrainWashed

Esaias,

Sorry for the late response. I was out-of-state and returned yesterday evening. What is open air ministry?

Here are a few methods I find effective.

• I have business card type tracts that I hand out when meeting people. It basically asks the reader if they're in need of emotional or physical healing (it has all my contact information).

• When God speaks to me about people's personal life, I walk up to the person and tell them. That usually gets their attention really quick.

I don't focus on a certain method. I just live life and allow God to use me anywhere. There really isn't a science to it. It's all about opening your mouth, and your willingness to open your mouth.

One of my hobbies is target shooting, and I do own a lot of firearms. Long time ago I would find myself sparking up conversations with strangers regarding firearms. Then one day God convicted me by telling me, you talk more about guns than you do about me. Yikes! That was a slap on the face that I deserved.

If you're honest with yourself, you'll notice that it's so easy to spark up conversations with strangers about hobbies, etc. However, when it comes to witnessing about God to strangers, we think there's some type of science that's involved in witnessing to strangers. That's how excuses begin. If it was so simple to speak to someone about food or cars, all you need to do is transition that mentality to witnessing.

However, people don't because they're full of excuses. Have you ever been happy over one of your accomplishments and told everyone you know?

It was simple to tell everyone because you were proud of your accomplishments.

How simple it is to talk about something that interest us, yet so difficult to speak with strangers about a God whom we profess to love.

Good post. However, I would add that a lot of Christians fail to witness but not because they don't love God, but rather because they expect push back, and aren't prepared or don't know how to respond to it.

Also, witnessing is often presented to people as some kind of advanced theological debating exercise, and many are intimidated by that, and thinking that's what witnessing involves, shy away from it.

Personal witnessing, however, isn't quite the same as the work of an evangelist.

[BrainWashed]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Good post. However, I would add that a lot of Christians fail to witness but not because they don't love God, but rather because they expect push back, and aren't prepared or don't know how to respond to it.

Also, witnessing is often presented to people as some kind of advanced theological debating exercise, and many are intimidated by that, and thinking that's what witnessing involves, shy away from it.

Personal witnessing, however, isn't quite the same as the work of an evangelist.

Esaias,

With all due respect, who cares about the push-back. We're not in this to feel some type of "emotional high" because there was no resistance or push-back.

Of course we're going to encounter resistance or push-back. However, that's not our problem. We've been instructed to spread the gospel, regardless of what we might encounter.

If I received a four letter word from someone not wanting to hear me, I just do a Matthew 10:14 and keep walking.

We do have to possess basic information about what we're preaching. And if they choose debate, such as you mentioned earlier, that's even better.

Use that as a tool to set-up a bible study with them, and when you get home, study your butt off in preparation for that bible study.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by BrainWashed

Esaias,

With all due respect, who cares about the push-back. We're not in this to feel some type of "emotional high" because there was no resistance or push-back.

You misunderstand me. I am saying many believers expect push back, not "four letter words" but an attempted debate for which many are ill-prepared (they think) to answer.

Also, many have been inadvertently led to place God in a "special" category of their lives, and thus talking about God is a "special thing" and THUS not a normal everyday thing (like one's hobbies, for example). Nobody.likes to be "THAT guy" who seems odd or weird. Many only hear or speak about the things of God in a religious setting (church service or Bible study), replete with special "preacher voice" or that affected religious tone.

It IS kind of weird to meet someone at the tire shop for example and blurt out "Hi! Have you been born again?" People feel weird talking like that. They feel essentially like a pesky used car salesman.

I've never met a born again Christian who didn't WANT to be a better witness. I've met PLENTY though who didn't know how to do it, and who have been hindered by a church culture that implies "Jesus on Sunday" and makes religion something OTHER than what you do 24/7 anyway.

Do people make excuses? Sure. The 80/20 principle doesn't seem to be restricted to the heathens. BUT, browbeating people and trying to guilt the pew warmer into witnessing more isn't necessarily the most effective way to get people involved.

Which is why I asked about "what are you doing". It's because I believe it is highly beneficial for people to share what they do, as encouragement to others.

[LOVE JESUS]

I am enjoying your input brother. Sometimes, we have to use different things to start a conversation with people. If we talk about something that is interesting to people, it gets their attention and trust - your example of the guns. I think it is better to use something like that and then bring in the gospel as the Lord leads instead of just start talking about God. It can turn sinners off. We have to use wisdom. Any church would be glad to have a soul winner like you. Keep up the good work. I agree with "Go". They don't always come to us but He commanded us to go to them. I am not a good "goer", my fault, not God's. My husband can talk to anyone but I am more reserved and don't normally strike up a conversation with strangers but people maybe going to Hell because I don't.

Originally Posted by BrainWashed

Esaias,

Sorry for the late response. I was out-of-state and returned yesterday evening. What is open air ministry?

Here are a few methods I find effective.

• I have business card type tracts that I hand out when meeting people. It basically asks the reader if they're in need of emotional or physical healing (it has all my contact information).

• When God speaks to me about people's personal life, I walk up to the person and tell them. That usually gets their attention really quick.

I don't focus on a certain method. I just live life and allow God to use me anywhere. There really isn't a science to it. It's all about opening your mouth, and your willingness to open your mouth.

One of my hobbies is target shooting, and I do own a lot of firearms. Long time ago I would find myself sparking up conversations with strangers regarding firearms. Then one day God convicted me by telling me, you talk more about guns than you do about me. Yikes! That was a slap on the face that I deserved.

If you're honest with yourself, you'll notice that it's so easy to spark up conversations with strangers about hobbies, etc. However, when it comes to witnessing about God to strangers, we think there's some type of science that's involved in witnessing to strangers. That's how excuses begin. If it was so simple to speak to someone about food or cars, all you need to do is transition that mentality to witnessing.

However, people don't because they're full of excuses. Have you ever been happy over one of your accomplishments and told everyone you know?

It was simple to tell everyone because you were proud of your accomplishments.

How simple it is to talk about something that interest us, yet so difficult to speak with strangers about a God whom we profess to love.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by LOVE JESUS

I am enjoying your input brother. Sometimes, we have to use different things to start a conversation with people. If we talk about something that is interesting to people, it gets their attention and trust - your example of the guns. I think it is better to use something like that and then bring in the gospel as the Lord leads instead of just start talking about God. It can turn sinners off. We have to use wisdom. Any church would be glad to have a soul winner like you. Keep up the good work. I agree with "Go". They don't always come to us but He commanded us to go to them. I am not a good "goer", my fault, not God's. My husband can talk to anyone but I am more reserved and don't normally strike up a conversation with strangers but people maybe going to Hell because I don't.

Sis, no one's going to hell because you don't speak up. Each and every person will be held accountable and judged by God for their own actions. Sin is what condemns a person to hell, not you.

[LOVE JESUS]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Sis, no one's going to hell because you don't speak up. Each and every person will be held accountable and judged by God for their own actions. Sin is what condemns a person to hell, not you.

I agree Brother. But I also believe it is our part to tell them the good news. Most don't read the Bible or even go to church.. Thank you for your kind words Brother. I see a lot of nit picking on here and most of the time, I don't respond because some people are easily offended and seem to want to debate and I don't like arguing so I just keep quiet. Thanks again and God bless you.

[BrainWashed]

Originally Posted by LOVE JESUS

I am enjoying your input brother. Sometimes, we have to use different things to start a conversation with people. If we talk about something that is interesting to people, it gets their attention and trust - your example of the guns. I think it is better to use something like that and then bring in the gospel as the Lord leads instead of just start talking about God. It can turn sinners off. We have to use wisdom. Any church would be glad to have a soul winner like you. Keep up the good work. I agree with "Go". They don't always come to us but He commanded us to go to them. I am not a good "goer", my fault, not God's. My husband can talk to anyone but I am more reserved and don't normally strike up a conversation with strangers but people maybe going to Hell because I don't.

Hi,

I admire that you can confess your weaknesses. Many are too much of a coward to confess anything and rather make excuses instead. You admitted that you're a reserved person, and perhaps that's been your downfall.

You want to know something? Many years ago I was at the grocery store and saw this elderly lady walking in front of the store. For some reason I just stood there and watched her, and I really can't explain what I felt when watching her.

As I drove away from the parking lot, I thought about how I might have been the only opportunity for that elderly lady to be saved, and yet I blew it. That situation weighed on me for a while. (sigh)

I'm also a reserved person and know exactly how you feel. Sometimes we must step out of out comfort zone no matter how odd it feels. As we continue doing that, the odd feeling will begin to fade away.

Blessings to you.

[LOVE JESUS]

Thank you. You have probably heard the phrase, men use 20,000 words a day and women 40,000. I think it is the opposite for me.

God bless,

Originally Posted by BrainWashed

Hi,

I admire that you can confess your weaknesses. Many are too much of a coward to confess anything and rather make excuses instead. You admitted that you're a reserved person, and perhaps that's been your downfall.

You want to know something? Many years ago I was at the grocery store and saw this elderly lady walking in front of the store. For some reason I just stood there and watched her, and I really can't explain what I felt when watching her.

As I drove away from the parking lot, I thought about how I might have been the only opportunity for that elderly lady to be saved, and yet I blew it. That situation weighed on me for a while. (sigh)

I'm also a reserved person and know exactly how you feel. Sometimes we must step out of out comfort zone no matter how odd it feels. As we continue doing that, the odd feeling will begin to fade away.

Blessings to you.