tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23528497.post5531327157716348283..comments2023-07-14T11:39:32.270-04:00Comments on Poiesistheou: Outsourcing evangelism.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02002617931455281500noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23528497.post-42881029566855375852007-02-08T17:51:00.000-05:002007-02-08T17:51:00.000-05:00Good observation Chris! I think it's a bit more c...Good observation Chris! I think it's a bit more complex though than <BR/>just "outsourcing". <BR/><BR/>I think there are a lot of "Sunday Christians" who show up to church <BR/>and that's the only time they express their faith. We've talked <BR/>about before how very few Christians actually "live" for Christ. I think this is an effect of that.<BR/><BR/>Second, I think a lot of Christians (Americans especially) are guilty <BR/>of shying away from it and use the "outsourcing" as an excuse because <BR/>they'd rather do other things. They say, "well, I'm already doing A, B and C, I'll leave evangelism to someone else because it's intimidating." Satan has caught many of us in this trap of being <BR/>"comfortable". Americans are also into instant gratification and <BR/>evangelism is a process, so that makes it less appealiing. <BR/><BR/>And third, I think the main stream media is making it harder for us <BR/>as Christians to evangelize because they always reflect Christians in <BR/>a negative light because our views contradict everything they want to <BR/>promote politically (which is what the media is all about these <BR/>days). We're pro-life, anti-gay marriage, and they always seem to <BR/>want to highlight our worst moments. I remember the anti-semetic controversy that erupted over Passion of the Christ. They're quick to jump on our negative side, but you'll never hear about life changing stories like the many churches helping rebuild New Orleans or the time Christians put in volunteering at homeless shelters. We're portrayed as intolerant hypocrites and who wants to be like that? That makes it a two pronged attack that we have to overcome, not only do we have to bring them the Gospel, but we have to unconvince them that all the street talk about Christians just isn't true. <BR/><BR/>But to be fair, I also think many Christians just don't know how to <BR/>evangelize. How do you bring the good news to people? Many people <BR/>hear "evangelism" and think of Mormons or Jehovah's witnesses that go door to door handing out literature or the vocal cult-like people on every major college campus preaching "fire and brimstone". I think the church needs to do a better job of equipping its congregation of <BR/>bringing the good news to people in ways they will be receptive to. <BR/>After all, Jesus met people on their level, not on His. We need to learn to do the same.Jimmy Bollingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12404063224605262666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23528497.post-47468600913130709642007-02-08T16:16:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:16:00.000-05:00This could be dangerous to start a blog debate wit...This could be dangerous to start a blog debate with my wife, but . . . why would it be bad for a pastor to preach him/herself out of a job? <BR/><BR/>The church doesn't exist as the primary end of the Kingdom of God. The church (meaning the visible, institutional church) is a tool used by God to further the Kingdom in the world. In that sense, it's temporary, or "provisional" as the Presbyterian Book of Order says. With that in mind, it should be the goal of every pastor to lead a congregation in such a way that pushes them further and further into the reality of the Kingdom of God, eventually guiding them to the place where they no longer need his or her leadership. It's a lofty goal, and I'm not saying it's realistic (don't worry, my human faults are far too many for me to ever lead that well!), but it's a worthwhile idea. :-)Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02002617931455281500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23528497.post-68949147014501671652007-02-08T16:03:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:03:00.000-05:00Preach it Brother! Hallelujah! uh-huh that's right...Preach it Brother! Hallelujah! uh-huh that's right! Amen!<BR/><BR/>:o) Just don't preach yourself out of a job, that would kind of ruin our whole life-plan... :o)Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00886087119634321443noreply@blogger.com