[mrmacphisto]

I know for a fact that when someone comes up to me in a restaurant or a store in Lynchburg, and they strike up a random conversation, they're trying to sell me one of two things. They either want me to buy Quixtar or Jesus, and chances are that it's a Liberty kid selling both.

Well said.

[ALUmnus]

i still stick by my statement......"i choose love, cbeause hate is too great a burden to bare."

I wont bother strangers unless I am told to do so by the BIG GUY, and I don't mean SJ

god forbid someone hate you *shivers*

i love it when people say "i'm waiting for God to tell me to witness to someone"....stop waiting and do it....if he didn't want you to you'll know...

It's funny, I think God already told us, actually commanded us, to spread the Gospel to the world, and I don't really remember reading about any exceptions.

"Relationship" witnessing may sound pretty and nice, but that really sucks for the bum laying out on the street corner, or the Walmart cashier who goes home to an empty house to resume her friendship with her TV. We're not selling something people, we're giving something away. If someone doesn't want it, that's their choice, but it's not our choice whether or not to offer it. We are commanded to do our part by presenting the Gospel, the Holy Spirit will do His part by leading the person to Christ. Patience may be a virtue, but it's not an excuse. We're not selling something, or trying to win something, or trying to prevent people from going to hell. We're trying to bring people to Christ because they're His, He bought them with His death. The "relationships" will happen, and we need to take full advantage of those, but that's a big bi-product of our life as a Christian. I can understand shame, fear of embarrassment, or unpreparedness being excuses not to witness to strangers (not that they are acceptable excuses), but it not being a personal preference is a little weak.

[Schfourteenteen]

The idea is that if someone is truly living as a disciple of Christ, they will be able to go to someone they dont know and strike up a conversation because they will care. Why do Waiters not want to work on Sunday? Because Christians are the worst tippers. The reason Christians might be looked at in the same light as a joke is because there is no evidence of a changed lifestyle. Christianity comes across as fake because many of us fake what we believe, and its just about going through the motions. Door to Door is looked at negatively not because of the change in times, but because of the change in how Christians behave. We are not the most loving people. We are not the people who will serve others. We are the ones stealing, drinking, who are sexually immoral, and when any person reads about something like a pastor selling some of his churches Bibles on ebay and keeping the profits, why would anyone trust what we have to say?

Now with that said it only takes 3 minutes for someone who sincerly cares to tap into someone's life. If door to door is just walking around peoples doors and getting a prayer then yes it is pointless. The only difference between door to door and evangelism should be where and how you met someone.

[ALUmnus]

Are you kidding me? Those are the worst stereotypes being spread out there by liberal Christians. Christians are the worst tippers, I've heard that plenty of times, but how true is it? I used to be a waiter and...., come on, anecdotal evidence doesn't fly when it comes to this stuff. Christians aren't the ones who care for others and love others. What? Then who does? Read about what's going on in Darfur. Even the most liberal of journalists will tell you the the Catholics and Evangelicals are the only ones who are doing anything for those people. Of course we as Christians should be living different lives, but why on earth would you let how some other Christian is living stop you from evangelizing? Yes, live you life like Christ, strive to be holy, I couldn't agree more. But that's not what Christ's parting words were to the disciples.

I'm not preaching, believe me, I don't witness nearly enough as I should. But when I see responses like I am here, from Liberty kids, supposedly God-loving, scripture reading Christians, I really worry about the state of the Church.

[FlameDad]

i still stick by my statement......"i choose love, cbeause hate is too great a burden to bare."

I wont bother strangers unless I am told to do so by the BIG GUY, and I don't mean SJ

god forbid someone hate you *shivers*

i love it when people say "i'm waiting for God to tell me to witness to someone"....stop waiting and do it....if he didn't want you to you'll know...

It's funny, I think God already told us, actually commanded us, to spread the Gospel to the world, and I don't really remember reading about any exceptions.

"Relationship" witnessing may sound pretty and nice, but that really sucks for the bum laying out on the street corner, or the Walmart cashier who goes home to an empty house to resume her friendship with her TV. We're not selling something people, we're giving something away. If someone doesn't want it, that's their choice, but it's not our choice whether or not to offer it. We are commanded to do our part by presenting the Gospel, the Holy Spirit will do His part by leading the person to Christ. Patience may be a virtue, but it's not an excuse. We're not selling something, or trying to win something, or trying to prevent people from going to hell. We're trying to bring people to Christ because they're His, He bought them with His death. The "relationships" will happen, and we need to take full advantage of those, but that's a big bi-product of our life as a Christian. I can understand shame, fear of embarrassment, or unpreparedness being excuses not to witness to strangers (not that they are acceptable excuses), but it not being a personal preference is a little weak.

Amen Brother

[El Scorcho]

"Relationship" witnessing may sound pretty and nice, but that really sucks for the bum laying out on the street corner, or the Walmart cashier who goes home to an empty house to resume her friendship with her TV. We're not selling something people, we're giving something away. If someone doesn't want it, that's their choice, but it's not our choice whether or not to offer it.

Witnessing to the "bum" out on the street or the cashier at Walmart is not the same as approaching someone who's eating their lunch in a restaurant or otherwise minding their own business. When opportunities present themselves, you seize them, but to "create" opportunities usually makes you come across as if you're selling something, which is my entire problem with confrontational evangelism. If you'll read more carefully, I never said that I believe we are selling something. I said that we present it in a way that comes across as if we are. That's what turns most people off. Because it's not genuine. To absolve ourselves from responsibility if someone doesn't accept what we're giving away is ludicrous in the face of some of the confrontational evangelism I've seen. It can be ENTIRELY our fault if we're crass and careless in how we approach people with the Gospel. To not care about how you're delivering it is to not care about who you're delivering it to, IMHO. And that is where my problem lies.

[4everfsu]

Hey Shuk, I wonder if the rich man ever had his lunch interrupted by a christian asking him where he would spend eternity. I would if so, if he was offended? I wonder what his thought about the matter would be today if you could ask him?
And just because a college is based on christian principles doesn't mean everyone who attends is a christain. What matters is each and every students personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

[scuzdriver]

I think the bottom line is that different people are reached different ways.

[LUconn]

and that shuk needs to get over it and quit whining to us about it.

[jmdickens]

this is getting funny.........we argue on what is witnessing....I wish I were in Morocco with the Muslims

[kel varson]

I didn't read the entire thread, but I will make a point. Street preaching is somewhat culture oriented. I'm not sure it is best utilized on college campuses. While some may hear the Gospel and seed may be planted, its probably not the best method. By contrast, I'm from a very mission oriented church and I know for a fact the if you go to other countries, particularly third world countries, this is the best method to share the gospel. People are saved by the thousands in other countries through street preaching. I'm afraid hearts in America are not very receptive to the Gospel. Our church has done both over the years and we are transtitioning more to relationship type evangelism. As I said, there is a purpose for street preaching, I'm just not sure its best served in the USA. The best way to win souls in the US is by building relationships, showing true love and taking advantage of Divine Appointments in the persons life. Amercans by and large have everything they need and are not looking for God.

[shukcb04]

I'm afraid hearts in America are not very receptive to the Gospel. Our church has done both over the years and we are transtitioning more to relationship type evangelism. As I said, there is a purpose for street preaching, I'm just not sure its best served in the USA.

That's because democrats/liberals are trying to make people believe Christianity is evil or however you want to phrase, regardless it's all lunacy.

[Ed Dantes]

Have any of you seen Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort? They do what I think is a great job witnessing on the street without offending. You can preach without being preachy.

Ray Comfort is an embarrassment. I watched the debate he and Kirk did with two atheists, and he was out of his league. Go do a youtube search for "Ray Comfort" and "banana" and you'll see what I mean (here, i did the research myself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yArPNtiQDcM).

[shukcb04]

Have any of you seen Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort? They do what I think is a great job witnessing on the street without offending. You can preach without being preachy.

Ray Comfort is an embarrassment. I watched the debate he and Kirk did with two atheists, and he was out of his league. Go do a youtube search for "Ray Comfort" and "banana" and you'll see what I mean (here, i did the research myself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yArPNtiQDcM).

what in the world? ray comfort comes off as a complete moron, maybe even stupider than that south carolina miss usa contestant or whatever she was, in that video.

[El Scorcho]

Ray Comfort is an embarrassment.

Agreed. I've seen Comfort and Cameron's group respond to atheists and Christians alike, and every time they come off as embarrassments.