lunamoth said:
What does evangelism mean to you?
Are Christians still called to spread the Gospel?
Is evangelism inescapably now associated with a conservative form of Christianity?
How, if at all, do you incorporate evangelism into your life?
Evangelism means two different things in my book. The first is literally going out and preaching the gospel to people- this is what many people find offensive. I'm a bit of an oddity because, like Wil, I like people knocking on my door- provided I'm not five minutes from running out of it to work, or already in my pjs. But I like to share with them, to talk with them. So far, they all end up coming up with excuses to get the heck out of my house once they realize I'm not about to be converted and I'm pretty content as I am. And yes, most of what I've experienced is of the switching from coke to pepsi variety. Nice metaphor, Wil.
But evangelism literally means spreading the good news. So my second meaning for me is spreading the Good News about Jesus- His message, salvation, love. And I believe in doing this through my life, my actions, and my attitude. Jesus Himself calls us to
do things- to feed people, heal them, visit them when they are in prison, to spread peace and love, to transform ourselves so that we might be lights unto the world, cities on a hill. None of that is accomplished, in my honest opinion, by simply trying to get butts in the seats of churches or by getting people to say a prayer-- this isn't salvation. The Spaniards, upon conquering indigenous people in the Americas, baptized thousands at a time- at the threat of near slavery, disease, and gunpoint. Is that salvation? Is it salvation when someone says a prayer accepting Christ without knowing the depth to which they are going to have to commit themselves, often under emotional and mental duress of worrying about eternal damnation? For me, we are called to spread the Good News, and if we follow the example of Jesus, that means mostly helping people, and teaching in simple terms and with love to those who
want to listen. We are called to
make disciples. This is not the same thing as converts. To win a convert, you need only to meet someone briefly, say a prayer with them, and get them to go to a church. To make a disciple, you have to live for a while with someone, to teach by example, to discuss as they ask and seek, to be supportive, to be a friend. Even Jesus only had twelve disciples, so I think this speaks to the depth of relationship we are each called to when we are called to
make disciples of all nations.
I do believe we're called to spread the Gospel. I think we're called to live it first, and if we must (or are asked to), preach with words. I know many, many atheists and agnostics who are completely turned off to religion and God because of their experiences of feeling attacked by evangelists. I also know a few who have had very deep conversations with me about God and my faith, their own fears, and have opened up to the possibility of beginning a personal search for God. They didn't do this because they knew I was a Christian, or what church I am going to, or because I act religious. They did it because they wondered, and I quote some direct questions I've heard: How can I be so happy when I know about how bad off the world is? How do I make it through hard times and not fall apart? Why do I love people, plants, animals- all beings so much? And so forth. And I'm no saint, so there is hope by spreading the Gospel through actions. Trust me, I mess up plenty and sin plenty. But I've been told I just seem to love others and life more than most, and this seems to be enough to open the door...
I think the term "evangelism" is tied up with conservative Christianity. So I just don't use the term. I refer to the first meaning with the term evangelism, and I think of what I do as pretty much just trying to live a Christ-like life to the best of my ability.
Q pretty much nailed it on the head for what I do. I just try to live a life in which I love God and love others. Periodically, someone asks me about it. Then I share my personal story about my relationship with Jesus and God, and what it does for me and to me- the transformation of myself. I'm honest about my struggles, and weaknesses, and the many things I just don't know or understand. I'm honest about the difficulties I find in trying to follow Christ. I don't really share doctrine or invite them to a church or anything of the sort. Everyone knows about the Bible and there's a church on every block, and I think everyone has to find their own denomination that's the right "fit" anyway, hopefully through personal exploration. For people who become long-time friends, we eventually get into conversations about the particulars- my beliefs about this or that. But I really try to keep that out of the Gospel message, which I believe is not about beliefs or doctrine or my theories about God, but rather about the gift of grace through Jesus, the love of God, and the message to love others.
Hope all is going well. I think you are a wonderful example of Christian evangelism, spreading the good news of His love.
