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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
For me, the most liberating thing of this chapter was a reminder that it isn't our job to convert anyone. God takes care of the calling and simply (and incredibly) allows us to be a part of that process. Another freeing thing is to really pray about God taking you to where He's already working. For me, it was one of those "duh" moments as my kiddos would say. But how exciting to think of ourselves in a Larger Story, playing the role that God has selected for us to play, even to that of thinking of ourselves as "clue hunters", again, simply being observant to what God is up to and then jumping in with everything we have. To develop a relationship with someone, being intentional about our faith is something we should ALL do, in ALL relationships, even with those who know Christ, as it is that encouragement that Paul talks about to the brothers and sisters. But how exciting to present Jesus in a way that isn't beating anyone over the head but simply accompanying someone on their journey of faith!
ReplyDeleteI think for many of us we will need to be purposfull in pursuing friendships or deeper friendships with those who are not yet disciples. I imagine we may have to give up some of ourselves, our independence to not be involved socially. If we do not walk across the room or the street, how will they know we really desire to know them for who they are. Our own discipleship may need to come into play and measure our hearts. Are we allowing He who we claim to be in us, (as Lord) to pursue the relationships he desires.
ReplyDeleteIn our minds we have been trained not to beleave in coincedence but rather that every thing has a purpose. When our lives bump into neighbors who do not know God do we recognize the purpose and embrace it or deny it? Will we listen to the Father in His word, to grow? Jesus had a lot of conversations we have been given to learn from. What questions did He ask? What did He offer? He was loving to those that did not know, coming along side to teach and care for them.
Reimagine evangelism, imagine us the "church" in the world full of love and exceptance, without fear, caring for people who really do not know about the Love we have been given. Yes an awfull lot of them are different, they look it, speak it, they are not from here. For that matter why do we think they have come here, except they are seeking something better. Maybe we should offer our best in a way that looks like we are not worried at all about running out of it.
Many of us have considered that we may well be surprised about who we find in Heaven some day. I think we expect to be amazed at the individually unique and diverse population there. Jesus said "the Kingdom of God is at hand", does that meen a church could look like Heaven? If a church could, how about a community? Individually uniquely created people, every color, every tongue, rich and poor, genuis and simple, both genders, young and old, firm and infirm, of all nations united in Christ, growing in faith together sharing in His word, disciples one and all. Do we beleave the Kingdom is at hand? Do we bleave His word? Yes we do beleave, please Lord help us with our unbelief. Amen
I did not see the movie Lord of the rings so part of chapter one was without reference for me. I like the way he ( Richardson ) speaks of how we are all on the same journey but are at different stages. For years as a christ follower I have held back talking to people because if they ask me a question I did not have an answer for what would I do.?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of we are moving to or away from Jesus and how the Holy Spirit can help us to teach the truth and lead us. End Chapter one.
Statements of impact for me (TOP TEN):
ReplyDelete1) The author's focus on "people who don't feel especially gifted in evangelism.
2) We have so much more to give than we are now giving.
3) travel/spiritual guides vs salesman.
4) Holy spirit leading the conversation & actions and identifying the clues so we can "do" (be collaborators) where the spirit is presently working.
5) Belonging comes before believing (community).
6) Making God REAL not just a "deal".
7)It's about THIS LIFE, identifying if we are moving toward or away from the goal.
8)Finding new ways to connect & communicate by looking to the Holy spirit to lead the way (this is the most challenging for me - not FINDING new ways, but being effective and learning them)
9) Rising to the challenge of spiritual companionship 10) Rising to the challenge of spiritual conversation in this new way and mindset.
Chapter Two
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to listen to the holly spirit with all the business around us, to block it all out and listen takes some time to work it out in your mind. I agree with the point that when we do listen and respond that the time spent doing what the holy spirit leads us that we do not no the end of the story? ( What that person will do with the time we spent with them). This chapter reminds me of the book and class we went thruough years ago Expereinceing GOD.
Power of prayer is strong and if directed right it will be powerful.
End chaper Two.
Chaper Three
ReplyDeleteTimes are different but I still think that the old fashion way of evangelism works with 40+ people. Once they get in and see that it is not what they thought and the body is in full spirit the doors are open and God does his work on them.
Page 56 In the new testament , the call to become witnessing communities is much more central and important than the call to become witnessing individuals. All the apostles were sent out in different ways to witness about the Gospel and lift the name of Jesus as the Christ.
Them were by them selfs. Just a comment about this part of chapter three.
I agree that we are stronger as a group and each part is doing what their Gift was to round out the Body.
End chapter three
Chapter five;
ReplyDeleteI agree with the power of stories. We have to have the courage to tell them at the right time. As we read the bible it is full of stories and for me I remember stories after I hear them or read one. We all have stories to tell we just need to remember them and how GOD worked thru us to reach a goal or solve a problem. Lots of us grew up going to church and being around GOD fearing people that my parents knew and run with. As I got into school and saw how different people could be it was( Here we Go) hard to get into clicks. We are all sinners and asking for forgivness is part of our stories.Iknow its a ongoing story as I look back on where we have been. I hope ya'll are as excited as I am to continue on the road.
End chapter 5
Chapter Six
ReplyDeleteI agree with what is said. When we bring up Jesus as we talk to seekers they seem to back off like we trying to lay something on them? I think it falls back on the stories. The life we live and the experiences we have had can help others. Most christian people do not run with who Jesus ran with and looked for, its hard for us to go where Jeses did to find the lost. Its a daily battle within me to control the things I want to do vs. what I should do.I continue to question thoughts and actions and try to improve on getting it right some day!
End chapter six
Alright, I think we have everyone on and going except Wayne and the Thompsons which I hope will be hooked up by the end of this week :) I am sorry for how hard this was to get going but I think it will be effective for us to discuss in detail each chapter and to learn. Remember, you are all on here because you are leaders at Covenant and our congregation will be taking cues from you and following your example. Thus, evangelism is a key thing we have to model. So, let's go back and dive into chapter 2 this week and read & reflect critically on this. Don't be afraid to point out things you don't agree with or to ask hard questions. Try to keep you comments concise and to the point so they are readable and it doesn't consume a lot of time to reply. Please try to stay on topic per chapter we are discussing. Also, try to avoid sermonizing and do our best to stay on the topic that each chapter addresses. We will try to spend 3 or 4 days per chapter or until the topic is sufficiently discussed and questions answered. Thank you for your time and effort!
ReplyDeleteChapter Two: Rediscovering the Holy Spirit
ReplyDeleteRichardson states on the bottom of page 32 "Nothing would transform our pictures and practices of evangelism like rediscovering the role of the Holy Spirit and learning to go along for the ride." To, me that sums up this chapter very well. Evagelism or proclaiming the Good News is an intensely spiritual endeavor and for me I have, in the past, made it more of a duty that is done whenever I felt enough guilt to prompt me to action. In this chapter we are being challenged to stay in sync with the movement and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Thus we respond to His leadership and follow him into a conversation instead of barging into a persons life not knowing whether or not God was working in their life or not. Recognizing that God is truly at work in other people is powerful and exciting. I feel a freedom knowing that I can trust the Spirit to lead me in sharing my faith or helping move others toward Christ instead of me having to discover that by trial and error.
Question: Richardson states on page 34 near the bottom of the page, "But I do not believe Jesus did all those miracles and knew all those things because He was God." He says on the top of the next page, "The key is not that Jesus is divine but that Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit." What do you think he is saying here? Is this a statement about the diety of Christ or is it a statement about empowering presence of the Holy Spirit? If it is the latter, how can that impact us as we seek to Reimagine evangelism in 2010? If it is a statement about His diety, how do you interpret that?
Chapter 2: IMPACTFUL! Important HOW we pray, even though the spirit intercedes for us, God will not answer prayers for the lost if they are misguided by requests that would be a violation of their freedom as well as forced allegience - which is against God's will. (p. 44)
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 2: her answer to Casey's question is that she believe's it is a statement about not only the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, but a collaboration with the spirit, which bears fruit.
ReplyDelete