Introverted Church: Evangelism

Monday, July 20, 2009

Evangelism

Here's an introvert wrestling with how he can engage in mission and evangelism: Introverts and the Mission of God

I agree with the post that building relationships with strangers is probably the most daunting part of evangelism, but I wonder if perhaps that is the wrong strategy for us. One suggestion I give in the chapter on introverted evangelism in Introverts in the Church is to first look for the people who are ALREADY in your life and to ask how God is currently working in their lives and how you can come alongside your friend in his or her spiritual journey.

3 comments:

PaulJul 20, 2009 05:01 PM
When I was involved in the Baptist Student Union in college I expressed the same line of thought, and I got into serious trouble for it. Many of the student leaders in the BSU were taught that in order to evangelize effectively you must go door-to-door, talking with strangers, and using a pre-set list of questions and points (a.k.a. a formula).

I raised my objections to using man-made formulas and hunting for strangers to evangelize while completely ignoring the relationships we already have. My introversion was partly involved, but I was also concerned about how dehumanizing it is to see a possible convert as a statistic or some mindless robot that is supposed to respond to a one-size-fits-all formula.
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Paul BrownJul 28, 2009 12:45 PM
Thanks for the link and the thoughts!

I agree with you, but, at least in my situation, all the unbelievers who are "in my life" on a regular basis are co-workers who do not pass beyond a professional, acquaintance-level friendship. I can very easily go to work, sit in my office, and go home day in and day out without having any conversation of real significance. I am comfortable with that and can have all of my relational needs met at home and with my believing friends.

It seems to me that the call of God presses me beyond my natural inclination to stay in my safe circle of friends. It compels me to move beyond the comfortable for the sake of the gospel. How that works out should be informed by my personality but not necessarily constrained by it.

The easiest way to work outward is, as you mention, to start with those with whom there is already some level of relationship and build on that. For me, and probably for others, even a baby step would be a step in the right direction.
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Paul BrownJul 18, 2011 06:55 PM
Thanks for the link and the thoughts!

I agree with you, but, at least in my situation, all the unbelievers who are "in my life" on a regular basis are co-workers who do not pass beyond a professional, acquaintance-level friendship. I can very easily go to work, sit in my office, and go home day in and day out without having any conversation of real significance. I am comfortable with that and can have all of my relational needs met at home and with my believing friends.

It seems to me that the call of God presses me beyond my natural inclination to stay in my safe circle of friends. It compels me to move beyond the comfortable for the sake of the gospel. How that works out should be informed by my personality but not necessarily constrained by it.

The easiest way to work outward is, as you mention, to start with those with whom there is already some level of relationship and build on that. For me, and probably for others, even a baby step would be a step in the right direction.
ReplyDelete