We were two clergymen from different Christian traditions meeting for the first time. He stood on the sidewalk holding the leashes of his giant golden doodles. I sat on my front steps as we discussed missions and evangelism among evangelical churches. His perspective was a critique of mine: “We just live such good lives that people come to us.” It sounded like a nice piece of wisdom. Indeed, it was almost biblical (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). What struck me as odd was that last bit: people will come to us. Part of me wanted it to be true. Why not just be quiet, be good, and if someone happens to ask, then talk about Jesus?
Evangelistic passivity is not so much a doctrinal issue, it’s a coronary one. Our hearts craft masterful arguments for why instead of going to our neighbors, we can simply wait for them to come to us. For many of us, it can feel like a win simply to convince our neighbors that we work hard or that we’re not weird.
PERSONAL EVANGELISM IN A POST-CHRISTIAN CULTURE
Nearly 20 years ago in Boston, where I serve, a religious sex scandal of epic proportions shocked the city and the world. To this
To continue...read the full-length post originally published on this site.
