Chapter 1 of this book raises the question of the validity of the old/traditional model of evangelism. It sums up this approach as seeing the Christian as a sales person with all the answers, ready to make and close a deal with anyone willing to listen. This is the model of a spiritual sales person and inherently brings some probelms with it in todays culture. First of all door to door salesmen are viewed with skepticism by the vast majority of people today. Secondly, most people who are trying to follow Christ today do not have the skills or personality make up of a salesperson. Thirdly, Jesus is not for sale. By that I mean it is not our job to convince someone of their need for what we have to offer. Anyone who has tried this approach to talking to other people about Jesus has learned the hard way how ineffective it is.
What Rick Richardson presents in chapter 1 is a new way of thinking about our role as witnesses and representatives for Christ. Instead of sales person, we take the role of a guide who is willing to come along side those who have spiritual interest in the context of authentic friendship with no real agenda or sense that we have to talk someone into following Jesus. Instead we are authentic and open in that friendship about our faith and our questions. We don't portray ourselves as spiritual giants with all the answers and no uncertainty. We are more honest and talk with people about our own exprience and journey through the context of the friendship. Even at that Richardson suggests letting it come very naturally and maintaining a high degree of sensitivity to the prompting of God's Spirit in each conversation we have. Not everyone is interested and open to seeking out a relationship with God. No need to try and force what not even God will choose to force.
It's a new way to think and starts this re-imagining process out in a very exciting way. More to come.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
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