Share Jesus Without Freaking Out series post 3/8
Principle 3: Shifting from giving an evangelistic presentation to having an evangelistic conversation takes pressure off the witness and relates the gospel more clearly to an unbeliever.
Recently, a friend proposed to me that all of the churches in our local area should get together and discuss ways to reach the lost. My friend is not a missionary, a preacher, or an evangelist but was making a clear point that reaching the lost ought to be first priority and ought to reach past denominational lines.
Boy, did I have a lot to say to my friend. We had a conversation! My friend has a passion for sharing Jesus with others like I do, but unfortunately, I had to throw some water on his fire. I let my friend know that our association just had one such meeting and that of the 70+ churches in the association, only five people attended. Let’s face the facts. This pains me to say, but I think the average church member’s attitude toward evangelism is “I’ve got mine (salvation) so I’m good to go. Someone else can tell others about Jesus.”
I didn’t want my friend’s fire to burn out completely so I told him some good news too. I told him that the idea he had of all of the churches getting together could work in theory and that everyone attending from different denominations could still leave the building as friends. In the associational meeting I attended with four other like-minded individuals, we learned about an idea called “affinity evangelism groups.” Affinity evangelism groups represent a way to share your faith with others using the gifts, abilities, and personality that God has given you.
So using a different term, the association and state levels are promoting the same idea that Dr. Reid is in his book Share Jesus Without Freaking Out. Dr. White, Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Convention shared with us how he met people at a place where they felt comfortable in doing something they loved and then led these individuals to the Lord. Hunting, Biking, Fishing, Sports, Crocheting, Technology, Shopping, etc. represent a multitude of affinity groups whereby a Christian can join up with unbelievers and have gospel impact.
We don’t just have to invite lost people to church. We can go to their culture and on their terms speak their heart language. We can share our passions and pains together and relate these to Creation, Fall, Rescue, and Restoration. And we can even do this on our daily commute as we converse with people in a plane, train, or bus.
There is no one-size fits all, cookie-cutter approach to evangelism. We are wired differently and we come with different interests, hobbies, and backgrounds. Think about it this way: A 300 lb. person is going to have a different workout plan for preparing to run a mile than a 120 lb. individual will have. There is a direct connection between physical fitness and spiritual witness. Reid says, “Just like with diet and exercise, a life of evangelism is lifestyle change, not a quick fix.”
Sharing Jesus without freaking out takes practice! The more evangelistic conversations you have, the less pressure you will feel. Talking to others about Jesus ought to come naturally. You shouldn’t feel awkward and nervous when you talk about who or what you love. And over time, you will notice that sharing Jesus with others has become so organic in your life, that it has become a lifestyle.
You can do this! If you’re a church member stuck in presentation mode, you can do this! Look at every conversation as a ministry opportunity. Look at evangelism as the natural outflow during conversation of an inner joy you can’t keep within. Before you notice, you will be sharing Jesus with others without even thinking about it!