Comments on: Witnessing in the 21st Century http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/ A Call for the Culturally Relevant Church Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:49:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: James http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/#comment-11 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:13:26 +0000 http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/#comment-11 This conversation was so interesting I decided to create a new post to continue the conversation. <a href="http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/02/23/response-witnessing-in-the-21st-century/" rel="nofollow">Please check it out.</a> This conversation was so interesting I decided to create a new post to continue the conversation. Please check it out.

]]> by: anonymous http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/#comment-10 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:18:02 +0000 http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/#comment-10 I love this post! It is so true. When I was younger, we were pushed to witness through words more than our walk. In reflection, I never once led anyone to Christ by approaching them first. Instead, the people I "led" approached me. As James said, that's not to say that it is wrong or unbiblical, it's just that I have never seen it effective in my culture. I thought Kent's comment was really important, as those in leadership, we do tend to push our own preferences as best for all. I think Mike might have missed the point, just read James' first question, "Is it possible that there isn’t one cookie cutter witnessing method, and there are various ways to reach people and also various methods at which to do it?" It's not that the "Billy Graham" style is wrong, that may be what God calls some people to do because it will be effective to those they reach, I have just seen it do more harm than good in my culture. Also, I don't think the question should be "is it either witnessing or discipleship?" I believe we should ask, "Where do we fall short and how can we improve?" It may be different for different churches, but in my experience, I have heard prophetic witnessing hammered into me, but have not had my church reach out to me to help me grow deeper so that my walk improves. I know this is a long comment, but let me say one last thing. Please don't take my comment as placing the responsibility on the church. The church can never replace your personal relationship with Christ. In fact, Christ did not set up churches to reach the lost, instead he sent out those he discipled. As a church, we must disciple those who God brings to us so that we can send them out. I love this post! It is so true. When I was younger, we were pushed to witness through words more than our walk. In reflection, I never once led anyone to Christ by approaching them first. Instead, the people I “led” approached me. As James said, that’s not to say that it is wrong or unbiblical, it’s just that I have never seen it effective in my culture.

I thought Kent’s comment was really important, as those in leadership, we do tend to push our own preferences as best for all. I think Mike might have missed the point, just read James’ first question, “Is it possible that there isn’t one cookie cutter witnessing method, and there are various ways to reach people and also various methods at which to do it?” It’s not that the “Billy Graham” style is wrong, that may be what God calls some people to do because it will be effective to those they reach, I have just seen it do more harm than good in my culture. Also, I don’t think the question should be “is it either witnessing or discipleship?” I believe we should ask, “Where do we fall short and how can we improve?” It may be different for different churches, but in my experience, I have heard prophetic witnessing hammered into me, but have not had my church reach out to me to help me grow deeper so that my walk improves.

I know this is a long comment, but let me say one last thing. Please don’t take my comment as placing the responsibility on the church. The church can never replace your personal relationship with Christ. In fact, Christ did not set up churches to reach the lost, instead he sent out those he discipled. As a church, we must disciple those who God brings to us so that we can send them out.

]]> by: mike http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/#comment-9 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:50:31 +0000 http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/#comment-9 I once heard someone commenting about how they didnt like Billy Graham's method of evangelism. The person had this problem &amp; that with Graham. So the they were asked "well how do you go about sharing your faith?" They stammered a bit because they confessed, it had been years since they actually had present Christ to any one else. To which then came the response " I think God likes Billy Graham. And I think He likes Billy's method better than yours." I thought your Q "Is witnessing more important than discipleship?" was interesting. Do you believe it's either or? If a person is not/has not been sharing Christ with others- are they a disciple? food for thot I once heard someone commenting about how they didnt like Billy Graham’s method of evangelism. The person had this problem & that with Graham. So the they were asked “well how do you go about sharing your faith?” They stammered a bit because they confessed, it had been years since they actually had present Christ to any one else. To which then came the response ” I think God likes Billy Graham. And I think He likes Billy’s method better than yours.”

I thought your Q “Is witnessing more important than discipleship?” was interesting. Do you believe it’s either or? If a person is not/has not been sharing Christ with others- are they a disciple?

food for thot

]]> by: Kent Sanders http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/#comment-8 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:30:53 +0000 http://relevantchurch.blogsome.com/2008/01/18/witnessing-in-the-21st-century/#comment-8 These are good questions, and a good post. I wonder if those of us in leadership don't tend to take a ministry style that fits our personality and assume that it fits everyone else. I have never been good at the kind of witnessing you describe. Some people are great at it, but it seems in our culture today "natural" evangelism is more effective These are good questions, and a good post. I wonder if those of us in leadership don’t tend to take a ministry style that fits our personality and assume that it fits everyone else. I have never been good at the kind of witnessing you describe. Some people are great at it, but it seems in our culture today “natural” evangelism is more effective

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