*My last post was this https://brattchapel.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/some-love-for-the-evangelist/. As the title indicates that post gives some love to gifted evangelists, but knowing that “evangelism” is a tough one for most Christians, I wanted to follow up that post with kind of a non-evangelists guide to evangelism.
Chad read it and said to me, “I got some pointers for the next post if you’d like.” I thought I might save myself some time and prop up this good brother who usually has some sweet stuff to say packing a unique, punchy way of saying it. So I suggested he write the follow-up. He humbly agreed. And the following is his work.
I think it is well said. It may seem like a critique of my post. But I don’t think it should be taken that way. It is a post about evangelism for the rest of us. It’s for people like me who aren’t evangelism naturals, But Chad is (rightly) (and eloquently) saying that we can be very good at it. I like what he says.
Chad would introduce himself as a follower of Jesus. Christina’s husband. And Ethan, Nash, and Samuel’s dad. I would add that he is the pastor of Lumber City Church in North Tonawanda, New York and the most humble man I know. Here’ what he has to say.”
I’ve never considered myself to be an evangelist. I’ve always just liked to make friends out of everyone and include them in everything. Evangelism isn’t so much about words to me. Its about relationship. We should be better at JUST making friends. WITHOUT a hook! Evangelism isn’t “just” gospel centered conversations. It’s relationships. Jesus valued relationships. He kind of wants to be close to people. All people. We should too. Even if we don’t “close the deal”. Make making friends your primary objective and see what happens next! I rarely use the term “evangelism” in my pastoring either. It scares people. I simply tell people to make as many friends as you possibly can. I try to reassure them that if they go into this with just that goal in mind, that the rest will fall into place. When it comes to gospel centered conversations or sharing their faith, I make sure they know the importance of actions, not words. We say “make a connection that leads to a friendship that gives us access to finding out what someone needs so we can meet the need and then tell them Jesus did it”
I don’t think evangelism is only a gift for just “some” people. Sure, there are just some people that are more natural at it, but if we leave the job of evangelism up to just the evangelist? Well, people that the evangelist doesn’t get a chance to make friends with end up going to hell without an opportunity to hear the good news. Sorry, but that’s got to be the gas in the tank. Think of this; Here’s this beautiful gospel. It’s in you. You’re a part of it. And there it is, in you, face to face with this person that desperately needs Jesus. Face to face with this person that desperately needs good news. Face to face with to this person that is just one conversation away from hearing about what’s right on the tip of your tongue. That’s where “the evangelist” can’t hold back. It’s not that we’re looking for notches in our belts. We just love people. We just want to be friends. The conversation may or may not lead to Jesus that day, or any time soon either. But we’re having conversations. That’s the important thing.
It’s not tricky. Remember Odell Beckham Jr’s catch? Was it “raw talent” or some special gift? Perhaps that has something to do with it, but if you talk to Odell, he will tell you that he and a friend worked for hundreds of hours in awkward positions to hone their one handed-behind the head-as I’m pushed to the ground-catching skills. I believe that the people that would be the “worst” at evangelism could end up being best at it. The “natural” will work in his gift. The “not-so-natural” will have to work at it. I believe introverts will be BETTER at evangelism because they will have to be “game ready” because they’ll have to make themselves good at it.
Some people think that pre-evangelism is necessary. If you’re the strategic type and need something solid to inform your next move, someplace to begin, here’s where your pre-evangelism comes in. It’s called prayer. Pray for The Holy Spirit to lead you to where He’s going. Footnote: (See “Thy will be done”) What is Pre-Evangelism anyway? Make friends before you drop Jesus into the conversation!
How do I get the conversation started?
I read a story about a fellow that was intent on making some connections in a new community that God led him to. He went to a coffee shop and tried everything he knew to try to get a conversation started. It was hit or miss. People were in a rush and there was a random nature to it that led to a lack of authenticity even in his own mind. People were on to it. He realized that in initiating the conversation, people were immeditely on the defensive. It was hard to get past that. So he got an idea. He went to the coffee shop a few days later and put a sign on his table and set out a chair. The sign read “Let me tell you my story”. 2 people stopped by that day, but only for a minute. He went back a few days later with a new sign; “Tell me your story” He was amazed at the response. He basically sat there all day and listened to some fascinating things about peoples lives that he would have never known. And, he shared his own story over and over that day.
Evangelism is not about what you know. (or what you don’t) It’s the art of conversation! It’s not just about speaking, it’s about LISTENING too!! Ask Questions! Here’s some real slick conversation starters that you may want to keep in your evangelism toolbox. Ready? Here they are: How are you? Tell me a little bit about your life. What’s the next “big thing” in your life? What is the most important thing in the world to you? You might want to throw in a “Wow” or “That’s amazing!” or “Interesting!” from time to time as they talk. And keep eye contact, or look at the spot right between their eyes. It’s an old sales trick. (Thanks Dwight Schrute) It’s always a good idea to REMEMBER what they told you too. If you get a chance to have a second conversation and you lead with “So how is (the important thing they told you)?”, YOU WILL have a new friend.
So what about the stuff you should say?
There’s a sandwich that is extremely popular in Buffalo. It’s really nothing special. It’s boiled up roast beef on a bun. But it’s no ordinary bun. It’s a “Kimmelweck”. What makes it a Kimmelweck? Salt. Tons of salt. Mr. Kimmelweck owned a bar. He thought to himself, “How can I keep people here? How can I make them more thirsty?” He came up with 2 things. Food and Salt! Food so people don’t have to leave to eat and: Salt so they’re wicked thirsty when they eat the food and drink more! Win win! So what does the evangelist do to hone his craft? We use a ton of salt. Salt makes people thirsty. “Be who you are” You know what makes people salty-interesting? Interesting stories. That’s your saltiness. Your stories. Interesting salty lives lead to interesting salty stories. Maybe you’re not a mountain climber or race car driver or cage fighter, but chances are, your life is pretty amazing. Are you a husband or wife or a Dad or a Mom? If you are, you’ve got stories coming out your ears. If your marriage and parenting become something that you can share as immensely valuable to you, your listener will be drawn into your story. Imagine how different it is for someone to hear of an amazing love story involving two people that die a little every day so the other can live and will have to do just that in some small way every day for the rest of their lives. Or how about this? You’re a member of the greatest rebellion in human history. A rebellion that’s led by a hero that has the power to forgive sin and raise the dead. (fill in the blanks) It doesn’t matter what your interests or values are, its how passionate you are about them. Thats salt. Salt makes people thirsty.
So what happens if the conversation doesn’t lead to “every head is bowed, every eye is closed, nobody is moving, the saints are praying, I see that hand” – moment ? Keep your chin up. It could be worse. It COULD turn into a gospel conversation. You’ll need to have words like “propitiation” and “Substitutionary atonement” handy and be all brushed up on you day-age theory (or is it age-day?). OR you could use the space to be a friend and tell your story of grace. Tell them about this crazy, scandalous love that you feel living inside you that’s making sad things come untrue. Then leave them hanging. Don’t close the deal. It’s not a deal anyway, unless the Holy Spirit is making one. Say “Thanks for listening”. If you’re really crazy, say “I’m going to add you to the list of FRIENDS I’m praying for.” If you’re REALLY crazy, ask when you can talk again, or when they’d like to come over and have dinner. Even if they’re a prostitute or a tax collector or something like that.
Bratt Chapel 