Comments on: My Suburbia: Evangelism http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/ theology. church. culture. life. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David Sebald http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-9581 David Sebald Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:07:00 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-9581 Interesting and encouragingly, Crusade has been realizing this issue! Like you saw in Mexico, straight up, proclamational sharing of the gospel is doable in many places, but not in the suburbs. Thankfully, I think the church, including organizations like Campus Crusade for Christ, are picking up on the relational need.  The Four Spiritual Laws can be shared through real, honest conversation in a much more heart touching way than you can on the door step of a two story home. Keep an eye on the development of Crusade and those like them as they learn to witness to the very varied world we live in.  Interesting and encouragingly, Crusade has been realizing this issue! Like you saw in Mexico, straight up, proclamational sharing of the gospel is doable in many places, but not in the suburbs. Thankfully, I think the church, including organizations like Campus Crusade for Christ, are picking up on the relational need. 
The Four Spiritual Laws can be shared through real, honest conversation in a much more heart touching way than you can on the door step of a two story home. Keep an eye on the development of Crusade and those like them as they learn to witness to the very varied world we live in. 

]]> By: Samuel T. http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-9003 Samuel T. Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:42:00 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-9003 I spent 2 hrs yesterday going from home to home to evangelize using the method I was taught in Mexico by Campus Crusade. The approach worked well in Mexico but not here in Suburbia America. I visited over 50 homes, only 5 people actually opened their doors. Even though these five were very civil, I could hardly get past introducing myself and my church. The "Church" word turned them all off. I was never able to present the "Four Spiritual Laws" to any of them. I did not feel sorry that I failed, I'll pray and ask God for wisdom for the next outing. I felt sorry for Suburbia America, they have found the ideal formula to keep God at arms lenght. I spent 2 hrs yesterday going from home to home to evangelize using the method I was taught in Mexico by Campus Crusade. The approach worked well in Mexico but not here in Suburbia America. I visited over 50 homes, only 5 people actually opened their doors. Even though these five were very civil, I could hardly get past introducing myself and my church. The “Church” word turned them all off. I was never able to present the “Four Spiritual Laws” to any of them. I did not feel sorry that I failed, I’ll pray and ask God for wisdom for the next outing. I felt sorry for Suburbia America, they have found the ideal formula to keep God at arms lenght.

]]> By: Speaking of sharing hope… « A Thousand Mile Walk… http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-3737 Speaking of sharing hope… « A Thousand Mile Walk… Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:03:24 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-3737 [...] as Mercy Ships shares hope in a meaningful way, I often consider how I can do that from here.  These thoughts were interesting.  They align with the conclusion I’ve come to, which is that being real [...] [...] as Mercy Ships shares hope in a meaningful way, I often consider how I can do that from here.  These thoughts were interesting.  They align with the conclusion I’ve come to, which is that being real [...]

]]> By: Lance http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-3736 Lance Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:26:14 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-3736 Thanks for the article. I have recently begun to examine my own heart on why I don't particularly like evangelism, and it does not seem to be that I am ashamed of the gospel. I simply don't want to be perceived as an insensitive peddler, bent on "closing the sale." I pray that the Lord will lead me into more Starbucks-like moments that will evolve into more natural and unstilted conversations about the God-Man and His work for us. Thanks again for the insights. Lance Thanks for the article.

I have recently begun to examine my own heart on why I don’t particularly like evangelism, and it does not seem to be that I am ashamed of the gospel.
I simply don’t want to be perceived as an insensitive peddler, bent on “closing the sale.”

I pray that the Lord will lead me into more Starbucks-like moments that will evolve into more natural and unstilted conversations about the God-Man and His work for us.

Thanks again for the insights.

Lance

]]> By: Stephen http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-3735 Stephen Sat, 08 Dec 2007 22:41:29 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/12/06/my-suburbia-evangelism/#comment-3735 I appreciate those observations. They make a lot of sense. I was a convert through the ministry of the Navigators here in the UK. Much as I have benefited from this, the one thing I have had to unlearn is the impatience inherent in the "gospel presentation". Real relationships are vital. In passing, I have just had the unusual experience of being asked all kinds of questions about what I believe by another Dad while at my kid's swimming gala. I didn't have to press him, "turn" the conversation or anything! So I am a happy bloke this evening (Sat. Dec. 8th). Wish that happened more often. I appreciate those observations. They make a lot of sense. I was a convert through the ministry of the Navigators here in the UK. Much as I have benefited from this, the one thing I have had to unlearn is the impatience inherent in the “gospel presentation”. Real relationships are vital.

In passing, I have just had the unusual experience of being asked all kinds of questions about what I believe by another Dad while at my kid’s swimming gala. I didn’t have to press him, “turn” the conversation or anything! So I am a happy bloke this evening (Sat. Dec. 8th). Wish that happened more often.

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