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“You Cared, and You were there.”
What’s the scariest sentence ever uttered in a church? No, it isn’t, “Let’s take another offering.” Nor is it, “Today, the pastor is going to start an eight week stewardship sermon series.” No, the scariest sentence doesn’t have anything to do with money.
If you want to get a bunch of Christians in a church stirred up and almost in a panic, all you have to say out loud is this: “Evangelism!” That’s right, I have found that people usually do one of three things when they hear the word “evangelism”: 1) they clam up, 2) get a bit agitated and look down at their feet, and/or 3) they get this spacey look in their face, a bit like a deer caught in the headlights. Seldom do they reply, “Great! I’d love to hear more!”
So, what’s so scary about our Seventh Habit of Effective Discipleship: Sharing My Faith? Is it that we think we have to have a well-rehearsed Biblical message that will convince someone to try the Christian faith? Are we afraid that we might appear offensive or even a bit ondemning by asking someone what they believe? Have we grown up with the belief that faith is a private matter and never talked about? Have we had bad experiences with people who stop us at a mall or airport to witness? Or may be it is as simple as being unsure about our beliefs and not wanting to appear foolish to someone else. Any of these reasons may be why we find it hard to share our faith.
I read about a pastor who went on an evangelism call to the home of a family he had never met. From all appearances it began badly and seemed to end worse.
The pastor arrived and opened the front gate when a small dog darted past him and disappear down the street. The woman of the house ran after the dog said in passing, “We just bought that expensive little dog and he is not familiar with us yet.”
Then her husband met the pastor at the porch. When they stepped into the house the door swung open and the door knob punched through their fifty-gallon aquarium! A tidal wave surged through the living room and little fish were strewn about. When the pastor and the man were on their knees collecting the fish, the woman returned empty-handed. This is when the pastor thought it best to leave.
The next Sunday, the pastor was amazed to find the couple in church. When he asked them about it they responded, “You cared, and you were there.”
Sharing our faith
I think caring, loving and listening are important to remember when sharing my faith. I’ve discovered that quoting Bible verses and presenting a well-rehearsed outline about the finer points of salvation mean nothing in comparison to simply listening to someone share their story – the hurts, fears, dreams, disappointments and worries. I am most successful when I take the time to care and listen. Then I simply share from my heart what God has done in my life — nothing fancy or well-rehearsed.
Does that sound scary? Could sharing your faith be as simple as talking about the ways that faith in Jesus and His forgiveness have helped bring healing, restoration, and victory in your life?
If you would like to learn more about sharing your faith, join us for worship as we focus on our theme: “Living the Easter Alleluia!” We will look at the Biblical accounts of Jesus as He appeared to His followers after His resurrection and how they in turn shared the good news of the Empty Tomb that spread like wildfire and began to change thousands of lives.
Wearing our faith
Then the weekend of May 5 and 6, we will celebrate specific ways to wear our faith through serving. After each worship service, Grace outreach ministries will be in the Narthex to share ways that God’s love in Jesus may be extended beyond the walls of our church. There will be exhibits, brochures, and lots of excited people from Compassion International, Grace4Tanzania, Navajo Adult/Family Mission Trip, Kentucky Youth Mission Trip, Family Table Meal, Our Savior’s Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, Grace Quilters, May All Be Fed Food Shelf,
and Feed My Starving Children.
So join us May 5-6 as we explore opportunities to wear our faith and live the Easter Alleluia. It will be a wonderful opportunity to discover concrete ways to grow in this Seventh Habit of Effective Discipleship.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark