Make Disciples of All Nations!

As a Christian, we are commanded to evangelize - there's no getting around it.  This week's podcast made me reflect on the times I've been the recipient of evangelization.  Of course, here in the Bible belt, I've been the victim of some Christian hit-and-runs of the "Have you been saved?" variety, where the proper answer might win a notch on a Bible, it seems. 

I do remember, though, a different sort of evangelization moment.  In my prior life, I owned a business and was the president of the local Chamber of Commerce.  One of my projects was a cooperative venture with the high school, and we were assigned an outstanding Mormon boy.  As I think back on it, the kid really had chutzpah (can you say that about a Mormon boy?). He frequently stopped by my office to talk about his faith and invite me to various Mormon events, and one day, I said, "Roy, I'm Catholic - I'm a devout Catholic - why would I want to come to your church?"  I'll never forget his answer.  More importantly, I'll never forget his face as he answered.  He leaned forward, trying to get me to understand, and said, "I just want you to have what I have."  Really, it was a totally loving act - unselfish to the point that rejection didn't matter.  He wanted me to have what he had.

Deacon Tim and I ponder this question of evangelization in this podcast.  I lay out my evangelization woes to him, and he roughs me up a bit. 

We'd really like to hear your thoughts - are you an evangelizer?  Is it problematic for you?  Tell us more! 

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Comments

[Linda]

Hmmmmmm

[Snafu]

I liked the approach of "I just want you to have what I have".

That is SO DIFFERENT from "I'm right and you're wrong" or "I'm saved and you're not".

I see so little authentic love typically happening when believers of different faiths interact, or when believers interact with nonbelievers.

Sweet story on the blog post, and nice podcast.

[Stephanie Welch]

As a baptist.....I have been raised in the trenches of evangelism. I have seen experienced both extremes-- the "hit and run" to what I refer to as lifestyle evangelism. I feel that if your relationship with Christ is genuine and you are "working out your salvation" Then people around you will notice a difference in you. Then as 1 Peter says,when they ask, you can tell them about the "hope that is within you"
To me evangelism does no good unless we truly love that person, and as your Mormon friend says, earnestly want for them what you have! Excellent post

[Bob Cleveland]

Hi Cyndi,

I been lurking for some weeks now. I retired and have frankly been really busy. Much of it was busy doing nothing, but I've actually been DOING some stuff too.

Anyhoo, I listened to this'n.

For starters, I'd never laugh at you.

Second, you stated that protestants seemed more zealous about evangelism. Yes, that's partially true .. in my experience, it's mostly church programs that prompt that. I'm not sure we're that much more zealous, individually, on the average.

The big difference I'd note from what I listened to is :A) You said you were excited about your FAITH. B) Most of the references to evangelism I heard .. or at least made note of ... were to telling people about the CHURCH.

BIG difference.

When we evangelize, we tell folks about Jesus and we'll invite them to church, but if they want to run off to the Assemblies or some other denomination, fine. Their salvation won't come from joining our church (nor, in our theological paradigm, from joining the Catholic church, either). It'll come through faith in Jesus .. the sort of faith that was referred to by the original writers of the sacred texts.

There were lots of other points, but my carpal tunnel is suggesting I stop messing with the keyboard.

Blessings to you, Ma'am.

[Linda]

Bob- I do not presume to speak for Cyndi, but I can tell you in my individual case, CHURCH and FAITH can be used interchangeably. I am a Jew, a member of the Jewish faith, of Jewish decent. It is not just my faith, my religious affiliation, but it is my personal identity, my heritage. I am a Jew.

Listening to Cyndi, it has always been my impression, that she is a devout Catholic, a member of St. Peter's Congregation in the faith of her Lord. When I look for common ground between Cyndi and myself, I see faith in The Almighty One, that is part of the very fabric of our lives. While the fabric might be cut from very different bolts, the end result is, it wraps us in a cloak woven of Love. In that context, it isn't surprising that church and faith become synonymous.

My faith, influences every decision I make. From my first thoughts before opening my eyes (Thankfullness to The Almighty One for returning my soul to me), to what I feed my family, the investments we make, the music we listen to, the manner in which my children dress, to the smallest details of the Jewish Holidays. Listening to the podcast, I found myself pondering, is that what Tim meant by the fullness of his faith? Is his faith made richer, because of the centuries of history of the Catholic Church and the traditions that the history brings?

[Bob Cleveland]

Hi Linda.

When we stand before God, I don't think history is going to play any part in whether we get in to heaven. That'll depend only on whether we've done that which God has specified as necessary for that eternal life. Hence I see my faith as independent from any organization, and specifically guided by where God wants me to serve Him. Thus far, that's been in 5 different denominations of protestantism.

[Linda]

Hi Bob,

I'm glad that works for you. I don't however see your approach to salvation as being contrary to the path I travel guided by my Jewish faith. While history does not determine who who make it into heaven and who will not. It does provide both a framework and depth. And serves well as a guide on the journey.

Who knows Bob, could be the reason you've passed through 5 different denominations of protestantism, is that G-d never meant your heart to be protestant. Perhaps G-d has lead you to twoedge to consider yet another path.

[Cradle Catholic]

I don't know where or how Bob should worship, but I agree with Linda that if your FAITH and your CHURCH don't coincide, or if either fails to match up with your LIFE, then it seems to me that something is out of order.

I'm not suggesting that every thing I do every day is in perfect accord with my faith and the teachings of the Catholic Church, but I certainly wish that this WERE the case, and it is what I strive for.

Every second of every day, every penny I come to acquire, every possession under my control is the property of my Creator, and I strive to serve Him by employing these resources according to the teachings of my Church, which I sincerely believe to be our Creator's vehicle put here for people to find, follow, and serve Him.

Anyone who doesn't feel that way about their faith and/or their church, ... I wish you had what I have.

[Pat the Engineer]

Bob used the phrase "get into heaven". I think that heaven is the place where we get to do what ever God wants us to do. We will be able to do whatever we want to do, as long as it is exactly what God wants us to do. In this sense, this life is practice for us to conform our will to God's will.

Scripture clearly shows us that God wills a communal salvation as well as an individual one. God not only brought Abraham into His family by covenant, but the whole world.

[Barb]

I don't know if you've already talked about this in previous podcast (if so, point them out to me) but I would LOVE to hear more about the eucharist and why it's the center of catholic worship. In protestant tradition it is sometimes an afterthought (oh, yeah, communion, we should do that).

P.S. I'm finally catching up with you all, missed listening to the past 3-4-5 podcast. slap my hand!