OK, I've written enough blogs about what evangelical tools DON'T work, now I'm going to hit the flip side (mason, this is where I was headed, I just realize that blogging is a "short attention span" medium). This article is about what DOES work.
In my opinion and experience, there really is only one effective tool for evangelism. Talk is cheap, and we have all seen enough deceptive individuals to know that almost any position can be argued persuasively and eloquently, even if it is patently untrue (I actually had intended to write a blog proving this, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it). What reaches people are ACTIONS.
When I was a new Christian, two ministries appealed to me rather strongly: Covenant House and the Christian Appalachian project (yes, I'm aware of the allegations against Father Ritter, and while I reserve judgement on them, I will say in my own defense that at the time I was operating from limited knowledge of the situation). Why was I drawn to them? Because I saw ministers taking action to remedy what they perceived to be societal ills. Similarly, many nonChristians were drawn by the appeal of the work of Mother Theresa over her lifetime (again, I'm aware of the criticisms, but this is about the PERCEPTION), and her apparent compassion for the poor.
Yes, the examples I used were all Catholic, but we can find evidence of ACTION in the New Testament. Christ attracted His followers at least as much by what He did as by what He said. His life was the witness that attracted so many and continues to attract long after His death.
Years ago, I attached to myself the label of "grunge evangelist". I believe in reaching out to people through my actions; if my actions consistently support my faith, they will naturally be compelled to know about the faith behind it.
When I worked in the crutch factory, a middle aged woman and her son came to work for us. The woman had a teenage daughter who was raising a baby while trying to finish high school. They needed child care, which my wife provided free of charge, and, as we soon discovered, they needed furniture for their small apartment. So, I did what I could. I borrowed a truck for the day and called everyone I knew for furniture they were getting rid of. I had the woman's sons come with me and by the end of the day their apartment was nicely furnished. At one point, the woman looked over at me with tears in her eyes and asked why we were doing what we were doing for her. I shared my faith with her in as few words as possible, and left it at that. No "altar call", no "sinner's prayer", just a simple explanation of who I was and why I was that person.
I've never felt comfortable with the "traditional" evangelical techniques. They're just not me, and I have serious doubts about whether they're compatible with Christianity at all. Furthermore, they can be a hindrance to Christianity, as your nonChristian "friends" will be forever left wondering if it's them you love or their potential as a "convert" (I dub this approach "AmWay evangelism" for reasons that should be obvious).
Making friends is only the start of your witness. Your actions will bear witness that will leave an impact far beyond any words you have to offer. Let me demonstrate this with the following illustration:
- Name ten memorable quotes, verbatim, that friends told you that impacted your life, positively OR negatively
- Name ten ACTIONS that friends did that impacted your life, positively OR negatively.
I'm willing to wager that, for most of us, the second list was the easiest to come up with.