tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19596668.post113836336581002016..comments2023-07-06T15:38:02.852+00:00Comments on Missions Misunderstood: Thoughts on AuthorityE. Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074535182590173433noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19596668.post-1138480183420602462006-01-28T20:29:00.000+00:002006-01-28T20:29:00.000+00:00My grandfather was a pastor for the last half of h...My grandfather was a pastor for the last half of his life, and he would wear a red ribbon on his suit jacket (which he wore even on Saturdays) so that people would ask him about it on the street. This was before the days of awareness ribbons, and he would witness to anyone who began a conversation. I don't know how many were saved as a result of this, but he did it for several years. I recognize that is the Spirit that does the drawing and converting, so I believe He can use this method effectively to draw people to Himself.<BR/><BR/>But this is obviously a contrast with the type of relational evangelism we are discussing. I think that our effectiveness is multiplied when we share Christ with those with whom we have an established relationship, because the 'discipleship' begins with the relationship, in that that is how long they have been observing our life's example. A street preacher might gain a convert, and I trust that God can lead that person to an outlet for effective discipleship, but a relational evangelist being used by the Spirit almost always makes a disciple.<BR/><BR/>I was going to say something brilliant about Christ's example of meeting physical needs, but my brain is now empty.<BR/><BR/>Praying for you...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13441809988487585009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19596668.post-1138442745613184872006-01-28T10:05:00.000+00:002006-01-28T10:05:00.000+00:00Wes,Thanks-your comment said it better than my ori...Wes,<BR/>Thanks-your comment said it better than my original post! So now I have a question for you: Why is it that a real relationship needs to be the context of evangelism? (<A HFRE="http://missionsmisunderstood.blogspot.com/2005/12/seeker-sensitive.html">I touched on this a while back,</A> but I'd like to hear what you have to say.) Is it a new thing, a societal change due to postmodernism? Or has it always been this way, and our spiritual fathers took some "shortcuts" with their evangelistic endeavors?<BR/><BR/>I've received a couple of emails lately, and I thought I should let you know- I have several co-workers that read this site almost daily. For now, they aren't comfortable posting. But they appreciate your input into the conversation!E. Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18074535182590173433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19596668.post-1138400643923524812006-01-27T22:24:00.000+00:002006-01-27T22:24:00.000+00:00Okay, I didn't intend my opening sentence above to...Okay, I didn't intend my opening sentence above to sound dismissive of what you had written. Sorry. I am suddenly incapable of making sense. I need a nap.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your work...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13441809988487585009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19596668.post-1138400562995252852006-01-27T22:22:00.000+00:002006-01-27T22:22:00.000+00:00I appreciate this post, not so much for what is sa...I appreciate this post, not so much for what is says as for what it says about you. It seems you believe, as I do, that an authoritative evangelistic message is useless outside the context of relationship. For the first two years in my previous ministry (youth), there were very few visible results (public decisions, baptisms, etc.). I invested myself in getting to know students and being involved in their lives. I announced basketball games, I painted pretty logos on the football field, I drove our church bus to away games, I spent time at the school, I did whatever I could to be with students. And I was not pushy about getting them to church or anything else. I just invited and stayed involved in their lives.<BR/><BR/>There were those in the church who complained about the lack of results, but when one of the most popular students in the school, one of our members, committed suicide, I was in a position to do more ministry that week than I could have possibly done in the preceding two years.<BR/><BR/>I have also had experience with an 'authoritative' pastor. This one had no need for Greek, as he spoke seventeenth century English just fine. To this man, eschatology was, not just theology, but soteriology as well. If you didn't share his pre-mil, pre-trib, human-history-as a-week-of-thousand-year-days dispensationalism, chances are you were lost. And this 'authority' had a similar discouraging effect to the one you describe.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the post; I hope my thoughts contribute...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13441809988487585009noreply@blogger.com