'Win Over' or 'Love On' for Jesus?
by Eugene Cho 07-15-2009 | 1:10pm
I'm currently rockin' in Knoxville, Tennessee. I have the privilege of being one of the morning teachers of an event called CHIC2009
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What thoroughly perplexes me is the apparent "Either/Or" approach to evangelism that people adopt. Can we not do both? Is it impossible to consciously be aware of a friend or neighbor who is in need of Jesus' love and forgiveness and to go about sharing that love and concern for him/her without thinking of them as a "target"? And why must that consciousness be seemingly antithetical to lifestyle-type discipleship? At some point, even the earliest Christians had to answer the questions posed by their neighbors, "What is different about your life?" I am concerned that people become scared of professing their faith that the onlooking world has no idea why their lives are different."Faith comes by hearing..." implies that someone is indeed saying something.
Recently, neuro scientist have discovered a brain cell they are calling a mirror neuron. Coined for what mommies always new existed as "monkey see, monkey do"
But they are finding that it is much more than that. In order for us to learn from each other this neron also helps us to read other peoples minds. They think it plays an important role in helping us to develop our empathy.
Hey! Ask these kids when was the last time they tried walking in someone elses shoes.
Put a pebble in my shoe. Lets talk about walking.
What thoroughly perplexes me is the apparent "Either/Or" approach to evangelism that people adopt. Can we not do both? Is it impossible to consciously be aware of a friend or neighbor who is in need of Jesus' love and forgiveness and to go about sharing that love and concern for him/her without thinking of them as a "target"? And why must that consciousness be seemingly antithetical to lifestyle-type discipleship? At some point, even the earliest Christians had to answer the questions posed by their neighbors, "What is different about your life?" I am concerned that people become scared of professing their faith that the onlooking world has no idea why their lives are different."Faith comes by hearing..." implies that someone is indeed saying something.
Recently, neuro scientist have discovered a brain cell they are calling a mirror neuron. Coined for what mommies always new existed as "monkey see, monkey do"
But they are finding that it is much more than that. In order for us to learn from each other this neron also helps us to read other peoples minds. They think it plays an important role in helping us to develop our empathy.
Hey! Ask these kids when was the last time they tried walking in someone elses shoes.
Put a pebble in my shoe. Lets talk about walking.
I'm probably one of the most liberal christians on here--I believe we all have a need to evangelize, but not to try to persuade someone to change their faith, There are so many people today who feel a need for "something more" in their lives (other teens talk about these things a lot) and respectful listening and testifing AS appropriate in the discussion, as the spirit guides us, is wonderful. I try to ask people if I may before I pray for them, and .try to live in Christ.
I'm probably one of the most liberal christians on here--I believe we all have a need to evangelize, but not to try to persuade someone to change their faith, There are so many people today who feel a need for "something more" in their lives (other teens talk about these things a lot) and respectful listening and testifing AS appropriate in the discussion, as the spirit guides us, is wonderful. I try to ask people if I may before I pray for them, and .try to live in Christ.
I'm probably one of the most liberal christians on here--I believe we all have a need to evangelize, but not to try to persuade someone to change their faith, There are so many people today who feel a need for "something more" in their lives (other teens talk about these things a lot) and respectful listening and testifing AS appropriate in the discussion, as the spirit guides us, is wonderful. I try to ask people if I may before I pray for them, and .try to live in Christ.
Agreed. Anyone who befriends people with ulterior motives, when said motives come out, tends to lose the person. Be bold for the Gospel, but yes, one of the best ways to prove it's value is through one's actions rather than words.
BTW, I'm from Knoxville, and am currently living in town. How do you like it here?
"When people wonder why people get scared and weary of Christians, it's because we seek other people as targets, projects, and people to "win over" or "love on" for Jesus. Just be a good a neighbor and that in itself is Jesus-honoring. Build relationships. Learn the stories of others. Share your story. Be a good listener. Be intentional about being in relationships with people that don't look/feel/act/think like you."
That seems to be a product of our post-modern Age. Peter, Paul and the other New Testament disciples/apostles/missionaries seemed to win people over with a combination of relationships, testimonies and Truth. I don't think people in our Day are won over too much by the Truth at all unless, perhaps, they're getting a university grad degree and stumble upon an organization like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, or they're really seeking something greater than personal gratification in the here and now. Most people in the New Testament were trying to survive from day to day, and the Way, the Truth and the Life was a truly liberating experience. Today, "liberation" seems to come from too many different channels that compete with the message of the Gospel. And most of us are no longer taught to search for the Truth. There are many competing "truths" that vie for our heart, mind and soul.
BTW: About a half-dozen youth from our church are at CHIC. For many of them, I hope they will be hearing the Gospel message afresh, as they encounter many of the same modern temptations and distractions that affect the rest of our society.
I'm probably one of the most liberal christians on here--I believe we all have a need to evangelize, but not to try to persuade someone to change their faith, There are so many people today who feel a need for "something more" in their lives (other teens talk about these things a lot) and respectful listening and testifing AS appropriate in the discussion, as the spirit guides us, is wonderful. I try to ask people if I may before I pray for them, and .try to live in Christ.
Agreed. Anyone who befriends people with ulterior motives, when said motives come out, tends to lose the person. Be bold for the Gospel, but yes, one of the best ways to prove it's value is through one's actions rather than words.
BTW, I'm from Knoxville, and am currently living in town. How do you like it here?
"When people wonder why people get scared and weary of Christians, it's because we seek other people as targets, projects, and people to "win over" or "love on" for Jesus. Just be a good a neighbor and that in itself is Jesus-honoring. Build relationships. Learn the stories of others. Share your story. Be a good listener. Be intentional about being in relationships with people that don't look/feel/act/think like you."
That seems to be a product of our post-modern Age. Peter, Paul and the other New Testament disciples/apostles/missionaries seemed to win people over with a combination of relationships, testimonies and Truth. I don't think people in our Day are won over too much by the Truth at all unless, perhaps, they're getting a university grad degree and stumble upon an organization like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, or they're really seeking something greater than personal gratification in the here and now. Most people in the New Testament were trying to survive from day to day, and the Way, the Truth and the Life was a truly liberating experience. Today, "liberation" seems to come from too many different channels that compete with the message of the Gospel. And most of us are no longer taught to search for the Truth. There are many competing "truths" that vie for our heart, mind and soul.
BTW: About a half-dozen youth from our church are at CHIC. For many of them, I hope they will be hearing the Gospel message afresh, as they encounter many of the same modern temptations and distractions that affect the rest of our society.
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Agreed. Anyone who befriends people with ulterior motives, when said motives come out, tends to lose the person. Be bold for the Gospel, but yes, one of the best ways to prove it's value is through one's actions rather than words.
BTW, I'm from Knoxville, and am currently living in town. How do you like it here?
Agreed. Anyone who befriends people with ulterior motives, when said motives come out, tends to lose the person. Be bold for the Gospel, but yes, one of the best ways to prove it's value is through one's actions rather than words.
BTW, I'm from Knoxville, and am currently living in town. How do you like it here?
"When people wonder why people get scared and weary of Christians, it's because we seek other people as targets, projects, and people to "win over" or "love on" for Jesus. Just be a good a neighbor and that in itself is Jesus-honoring. Build relationships. Learn the stories of others. Share your story. Be a good listener. Be intentional about being in relationships with people that don't look/feel/act/think like you."
That seems to be a product of our post-modern Age. Peter, Paul and the other New Testament disciples/apostles/missionaries seemed to win people over with a combination of relationships, testimonies and Truth. I don't think people in our Day are won over too much by the Truth at all unless, perhaps, they're getting a university grad degree and stumble upon an organization like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, or they're really seeking something greater than personal gratification in the here and now. Most people in the New Testament were trying to survive from day to day, and the Way, the Truth and the Life was a truly liberating experience. Today, "liberation" seems to come from too many different channels that compete with the message of the Gospel. And most of us are no longer taught to search for the Truth. There are many competing "truths" that vie for our heart, mind and soul.
BTW: About a half-dozen youth from our church are at CHIC. For many of them, I hope they will be hearing the Gospel message afresh, as they encounter many of the same modern temptations and distractions that affect the rest of our society.
"When people wonder why people get scared and weary of Christians, it's because we seek other people as targets, projects, and people to "win over" or "love on" for Jesus. Just be a good a neighbor and that in itself is Jesus-honoring. Build relationships. Learn the stories of others. Share your story. Be a good listener. Be intentional about being in relationships with people that don't look/feel/act/think like you."
That seems to be a product of our post-modern Age. Peter, Paul and the other New Testament disciples/apostles/missionaries seemed to win people over with a combination of relationships, testimonies and Truth. I don't think people in our Day are won over too much by the Truth at all unless, perhaps, they're getting a university grad degree and stumble upon an organization like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, or they're really seeking something greater than personal gratification in the here and now. Most people in the New Testament were trying to survive from day to day, and the Way, the Truth and the Life was a truly liberating experience. Today, "liberation" seems to come from too many different channels that compete with the message of the Gospel. And most of us are no longer taught to search for the Truth. There are many competing "truths" that vie for our heart, mind and soul.
BTW: About a half-dozen youth from our church are at CHIC. For many of them, I hope they will be hearing the Gospel message afresh, as they encounter many of the same modern temptations and distractions that affect the rest of our society.
What thoroughly perplexes me is the apparent "Either/Or" approach to evangelism that people adopt. Can we not do both? Is it impossible to consciously be aware of a friend or neighbor who is in need of Jesus' love and forgiveness and to go about sharing that love and concern for him/her without thinking of them as a "target"? And why must that consciousness be seemingly antithetical to lifestyle-type discipleship? At some point, even the earliest Christians had to answer the questions posed by their neighbors, "What is different about your life?" I am concerned that people become scared of professing their faith that the onlooking world has no idea why their lives are different."Faith comes by hearing..." implies that someone is indeed saying something.
What thoroughly perplexes me is the apparent "Either/Or" approach to evangelism that people adopt. Can we not do both? Is it impossible to consciously be aware of a friend or neighbor who is in need of Jesus' love and forgiveness and to go about sharing that love and concern for him/her without thinking of them as a "target"? And why must that consciousness be seemingly antithetical to lifestyle-type discipleship? At some point, even the earliest Christians had to answer the questions posed by their neighbors, "What is different about your life?" I am concerned that people become scared of professing their faith that the onlooking world has no idea why their lives are different."Faith comes by hearing..." implies that someone is indeed saying something.
Recently, neuro scientist have discovered a brain cell they are calling a mirror neuron. Coined for what mommies always new existed as "monkey see, monkey do"
But they are finding that it is much more than that. In order for us to learn from each other this neron also helps us to read other peoples minds. They think it plays an important role in helping us to develop our empathy.
Hey! Ask these kids when was the last time they tried walking in someone elses shoes.
Put a pebble in my shoe. Lets talk about walking.
Recently, neuro scientist have discovered a brain cell they are calling a mirror neuron. Coined for what mommies always new existed as "monkey see, monkey do"
But they are finding that it is much more than that. In order for us to learn from each other this neron also helps us to read other peoples minds. They think it plays an important role in helping us to develop our empathy.
Hey! Ask these kids when was the last time they tried walking in someone elses shoes.
Put a pebble in my shoe. Lets talk about walking.
I'm probably one of the most liberal christians on here--I believe we all have a need to evangelize, but not to try to persuade someone to change their faith, There are so many people today who feel a need for "something more" in their lives (other teens talk about these things a lot) and respectful listening and testifing AS appropriate in the discussion, as the spirit guides us, is wonderful. I try to ask people if I may before I pray for them, and .try to live in Christ.
I'm probably one of the most liberal christians on here--I believe we all have a need to evangelize, but not to try to persuade someone to change their faith, There are so many people today who feel a need for "something more" in their lives (other teens talk about these things a lot) and respectful listening and testifing AS appropriate in the discussion, as the spirit guides us, is wonderful. I try to ask people if I may before I pray for them, and .try to live in Christ.
I'm probably one of the most liberal christians on here--I believe we all have a need to evangelize, but not to try to persuade someone to change their faith, There are so many people today who feel a need for "something more" in their lives (other teens talk about these things a lot) and respectful listening and testifing AS appropriate in the discussion, as the spirit guides us, is wonderful. I try to ask people if I may before I pray for them, and .try to live in Christ.
I'm probably one of the most liberal christians on here--I believe we all have a need to evangelize, but not to try to persuade someone to change their faith, There are so many people today who feel a need for "something more" in their lives (other teens talk about these things a lot) and respectful listening and testifing AS appropriate in the discussion, as the spirit guides us, is wonderful. I try to ask people if I may before I pray for them, and .try to live in Christ.
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