I’m worried that all of my thinking about “relational evangelism” or “ministering to the post-modern man” is really just a cover up for not wanting to share the Gospel. I’m afraid that underneath it is a sneaky seed of wanting to be cool, wanting not to offend – basically being ashamed.
Yeah, I suppose there are cases in which it is necessary to build trust. But if we are trustworthy people, won’t those in our vicinity see it? If we aren’t seen to be gossips, if we are joyfully hard-working, if we are good bosses – isn’t that the stuff of trustworthiness?
Are you sure that you’re being guided by the Spirit in the putting off of the sharing of the Gospel – and I mean directly, like, “You’re a sinner and God’s angry about it, but good news! He showed up on Earth and took care of the consequences himself and now we can be saved from his wrath!” – or is it more that it just doesn’t feel “natural”?
Bad news: I’m a missionary and it still doesn’t feel natural. Perhaps this means I don’t have the gift of evangelism, but I’m still called to evangelise. You are, too, Christian. And don’t quote St. Francis of Assisi to me – you know, that share the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words quote – because St. Francis of Assisi did an awful lot of sharing of the Gospel with words. Have you?
Here’s the major danger I see: that this methodology of relationship-building-toward-the-end-of-evangelism turns into a Spirit-less (and thus self-righteous or human-powered) one. Are we walking in the Spirit? Asking for his guidance (please God! people are DYING!)?
Hey, and I’m a big fat hypocrite in all this, just so you know. We’re in this together. I’ve just been really affected recently by the sight of some of my friends here in Spain just outright sharing the Gospel. Take my friend Joel, for instance: He loves to talk, he’s very philosophical, but as soon as he reaches the point in a conversation with someone new in which he figures out they aren’t a Christian, he starts preachin’ to ’em. (Notice I didn’t say “at ’em.”) He starts giving them the Good News! It’s been so refreshing to watch.
Well, and I’m tired of watching. Who’s with me?
(NOTE: I’m willing to believe that not every “relational evangelist” is falling into the same trap that I did/do. I also don’t believe we leave it at “saving souls” – that is, the call is to “make disciples”, not leave ’em high and dry once they’ve prayed a prayer.)
Red Like Tango 