Contact evangelism vs. Friendship evangelism

[evangelist6589]

I believe that the methods and roles a person will play in evangelism and discipleship are partially determined by their personality and gifting. That doesn't mean that all methods are equal. I thank God for anyone who is sharing the gospel in any way which is consistent with God's grace and truth. This can happen in either contact evangelism or friendship evangelism.

I also believe that there is a place for "pre-evangelism", never as a substitute to clearly telling the gospel, but as a way to open hearts and minds to be more willing to hear it. I wrote about one strategy for doing this in another thread here on the BaptistBoard. This strategy can actually be used in either friendship or contact evangelism settings, and can also be used in discipleship and encouragement of fellow believers: Listen and Pray.

Best post of this thread. Yes I seem to have a gift towards contact evangelism and tracts and confronting strangers and the like.

 

[TCassidy]

Yes I seem to have a gift towards contact evangelism

Then why haven't you brought any souls to Christ?

 

[Mark Corbett]

Yes I seem to have a gift towards contact evangelism and tracts and confronting strangers and the like.

Then why haven't you brought any souls to Christ?

I don't know either of you personally, and with a combined total of over 20,000 posts, I'm sure you know each other much better than I do. So, there may be more to the above comments than I'm aware of. Still, I will venture a few thoughts.

How do we know that evangelist6589 has not won any souls to Christ? Even he would not know that. Often the seeds we plant through a brief opportunity to witness or through a tract do not sprout until later.

Of course, we should always be asking ourselves if there is anything we can do to bear more fruit and win more souls. So, if evangelism6589 has been sharing the gospel a lot and not seeing visible fruit, it is right to at least pray and consider if a change of methods would help. On the other hand, sometimes we are doing things right and not seeing any visible positive response. Like Isaiah:

Isaiah 6: 11 Then I said, "For how long, Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged,
12 until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land."

In his lifetime, Isaiah mostly saw people rejecting the Lord's message. But in the long term, His ministry has been among the most fruitful in the history of mankind.

 

[evangelist6589]

I don't know either of you personally, and with a combined total of over 20,000 posts, I'm sure you know each other much better than I do. So, there may be more to the above comments than I'm aware of. Still, I will venture a few thoughts.

How do we know that evangelist6589 has not won any souls to Christ? Even he would not know that. Often the seeds we plant through a brief opportunity to witness or through a tract do not sprout until later.

Of course, we should always be asking ourselves if there is anything we can do to bear more fruit and win more souls. So, if evangelism6589 has been sharing the gospel a lot and not seeing visible fruit, it is right to at least pray and consider if a change of methods would help. On the other hand, sometimes we are doing things right and not seeing any visible positive response. Like Isaiah:

Isaiah 6: 11 Then I said, "For how long, Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged,
12 until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land."

In his lifetime, Isaiah mostly saw people rejecting the Lord's message. But in the long term, His ministry has been among the most fruitful in the history of mankind.

Amen and well said. I can think of one person I brought to Christ, and there many be many others I am not aware of.

 

[evangelist6589]

I don't know either of you personally, and with a combined total of over 20,000 posts, I'm sure you know each other much better than I do. So, there may be more to the above comments than I'm aware of. Still, I will venture a few thoughts.

How do we know that evangelist6589 has not won any souls to Christ? Even he would not know that. Often the seeds we plant through a brief opportunity to witness or through a tract do not sprout until later.

Of course, we should always be asking ourselves if there is anything we can do to bear more fruit and win more souls. So, if evangelism6589 has been sharing the gospel a lot and not seeing visible fruit, it is right to at least pray and consider if a change of methods would help. On the other hand, sometimes we are doing things right and not seeing any visible positive response. Like Isaiah:

Isaiah 6: 11 Then I said, "For how long, Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged,
12 until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land."

In his lifetime, Isaiah mostly saw people rejecting the Lord's message. But in the long term, His ministry has been among the most fruitful in the history of mankind.

I do not desire to know Tcasidy among other critics on this form wth the intent to criticize me. Frankly I want NOTHING to do with them.

 

[TCassidy]

How do we know that evangelist6589 has not won any souls to Christ?

He said so.

Even he would not know that.

Of course he would. If the Great Commission were being kept he would see souls saved, believers baptized, and new converts taught discipleship.

So, if evangelism6589 has been sharing the gospel a lot and not seeing visible fruit, it is right to at least pray and consider if a change of methods would help.

He, by his own account, has seen, maybe, 1 convert in 7 or 8 years of "street preaching." And when it is suggested that he might try changing his methods he refuses and calls those of us with a more mature understanding of God's working through us his "detractors."

Frankly I want NOTHING to do with them.

And that is the problem. He rejects all godly advice.

 

[evangelist6589]

He said so.

Of course he would. If the Great Commission were being kept he would see souls saved, believers baptized, and new converts taught discipleship.

He, by his own account, has seen, maybe, 1 convert in 7 or 8 years of "street preaching." And when it is suggested that he might try changing his methods he refuses and calls those of us with a more mature understanding of God's working through us his "detractors."

And that is the problem. He rejects all godly advice.

Why listen to you and your so called advice? I get my teachings from my church and Way of the Master leaders, and Paul Washer, etc...

I get my advice from "like-minded" brethren.

 

[evangelist6589]

He said so.

Of course he would. If the Great Commission were being kept he would see souls saved, believers baptized, and new converts taught discipleship.

He, by his own account, has seen, maybe, 1 convert in 7 or 8 years of "street preaching." And when it is suggested that he might try changing his methods he refuses and calls those of us with a more mature understanding of God's working through us his "detractors."

And that is the problem. He rejects all godly advice.

THOUSANDS of street preachers and street evangelists are doing everything right and do not see visible fruit. So this must mean that everyone is not doing anything right.

 

[TCassidy]

there many be many others I am not aware of.

I have won 10 million souls to Christ. I am not aware of any of them, but they must be there because I am right and everyone else is wrong. Ray Comfort said so.

 

[Reynolds]

THOUSANDS of street preachers and street evangelists are doing everything right and do not see visible fruit. So this must mean that everyone is not doing anything right.

How did Billy Graham ever have success winning souls? Everything he did was wrong, according to you anyway. Think about it, how many would he have won if he had offended and insulted everyone at the beginning of his message?
There is a very fundamental, very old school pastor here in town that reminds me of a street preacher because he used to be one.He and I are good friends. We hunt together, fish together, hang out, etc. BUT, we don't talk Bible or theology with each other. We probably agree on about everything, but I can't talk to him because he is so dogmatic. He makes me mad early in the conversation and from that point, he is tuned out. At that point I would not agree with what he said if it was the sky is blue and the grass green.
Be careful that you do not cause people to do that when listening to you.

 

[TCassidy]

Why listen to you and your so called advice?

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

I get my teachings from my church and Way of the Master leaders, and Paul Washer, etc...

And that is the problem we have been trying to point out to you for a couple years. You tend to be a man follower.

I get my advice from "like-minded" brethren.

Yes, "like minded" in that they agree with you. But you refuse counsel from those who have a more mature understanding than you and those you follow.

THOUSANDS of street preachers and street evangelists are doing everything right and do not see visible fruit.

If they are doing everything right they are seeing fruit. It is God's will for His disciples to bear fruit, much fruit, and fruit that remains.

John 15:5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:8 “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.

John 15:16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

The fruit of an apple tree is an apple.

The fruit of an orange tree is an orange.

The fruit of a Christian is another Christian.

If you are fishing and you never catch a fish, you are not fishing. You are just drowning worms.

If you are leading and nobody is following you are not leading, you are just going for a walk.

If you are keeping the Great Commission and nobody is being saved, and baptized, and discipled, you are not keeping the Great Commission. You are just indulging your ego.

 

[TCassidy]

Be careful that you do not cause people to do that when listening to you.

That is good advice.

I have an old and dear friend with whom I enjoy fellowship. He pastors a large church and is president of a college and seminary.

When I retired he offered me a job teaching in the seminary as little or as much as I wanted to. I declined. He asked why.

I told him I loved him dearly in the Lord but would not work for him on a bet. He is much to certain his way, and only his way, is right and everyone else is wrong.

I wonder if he is related to John?

 

[Revmitchell]

I don't know either of you personally, and with a combined total of over 20,000 posts, I'm sure you know each other much better than I do. So, there may be more to the above comments than I'm aware of. Still, I will venture a few thoughts.

How do we know that evangelist6589 has not won any souls to Christ? Even he would not know that. Often the seeds we plant through a brief opportunity to witness or through a tract do not sprout until later.

Of course, we should always be asking ourselves if there is anything we can do to bear more fruit and win more souls. So, if evangelism6589 has been sharing the gospel a lot and not seeing visible fruit, it is right to at least pray and consider if a change of methods would help. On the other hand, sometimes we are doing things right and not seeing any visible positive response. Like Isaiah:

Isaiah 6: 11 Then I said, "For how long, Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged,
12 until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land."

In his lifetime, Isaiah mostly saw people rejecting the Lord's message. But in the long term, His ministry has been among the most fruitful in the history of mankind.

Umm...there is more to this conversation with this young man than what is posted here in this thread. We have a long history and the past feeds into what is posted here. I understand what you are saying but you do not really understand what all is going on here.

 

[Salty]

You do not know what contact evangelism is? Its evangelism with strangers, sometimes called confrontational evangelism. ....

Confrontational evangelism - that sounds so counter productive! Why would you want to be confrontational with a lost sinner.

 

[evangelist6589]

Confrontational evangelism - that sounds so counter productive! Why would you want to be confrontational with a lost sinner.

Look up the word in the dictionary. It's not always negative.

 

[Salty]

Look up the word in the dictionary. It's not always negative.

I would rather be positive about things especially friendship evangelism

 

[TCassidy]

Confrontational evangelism - that sounds so counter productive! Why would you want to be confrontational with a lost sinner.

Well, again, we see that John does not know what he is talking about. "Confrontational Evangelism" is the counterpoint to the "Love Gospel." It means to not ignore sin and the penalty of sin. It means to confront the person with the fact they are sinners and it is their sin that has separated them from the very love of God they supposedly claim.

But John does not know that because Ray Comfort didn't put it in his book.

 

[Reynolds]

I do not desire to know Tcasidy among other critics on this form wth the intent to criticize me. Frankly I want NOTHING to do with them.

Well why do you keep asking questions you know will lead to criticism?

 

[JonC]

Well why do you keep asking questions you know will lead to criticism?

The larger issue is that what @evangelist6589 has posted about himself, his character, and his lifestyle stands in sharp contrast to the gospel message that God loved us by sending His Son that we may have life and a life of spiritual abundance and conformity to the image of Christ. I suspect this is why @evangelist6589 focuses on "confronting" people with passages of Scripture instead of engaging them with the gospel of Jesus Christ - to the world, his life invalidates his message.

@Mark Corbett noted that there seemed a history with @evangelist6589 beyond recent posts. In an effort to be perfectly clear and honest, and without saying anything that has not been posted here before, here is the issue as I see it: Over the past 2 years we have read thread after thread from Evan advocating Lordship Salvation and praising John MacArthur's position (one I agree with, BTW). But at the same time his life has reflected anything but subjection to Christ.

Early on he taught Christian liberty in drinking, but also believed it was wrong for him to drink because of the damage alcohol has done to others, his witness as an evangelist, and the fact he had struggled with drinking Mikes Hard Lemonade. It was a temptation he believed he should avoid. Until he decided otherwise. The reason? He liked the taste and had the right to drink because it was not forbidden in Scripture.

His wife, however, thought it was a sin to drink. We read post after post about drinking and about how wrong and legalistic his wife and their church was for holding it as a sin. Rather than refrain from drinking for the sake of his wife he just did not drink in front of her. His wife, he complained, needed to submit to his leadership in the home. This was her failure.

And then there was the church that Evan and his wife attended. It was "her" church (I take it her family went there), but they were legalistic and held to free-will theology. They were against drinking. Evan started attending a Reformed church, leaving his wife to attend her church because she would not move her membership. Ultimately Evan left his wife because she would not "leave and cleave". He divorced her and started reading books about how such a failure on her part justifies divorce as it falls into the unfaithfulness Jesus spoke of in Matthew 5:31-32.

There were a few who urged him to go back to his wife, but more importantly there were several inquiring about her health. Not long after the separation he told us that his wife was struggling with cancer. He doesn't know how she is doing because they don't talk. But on the brighter side, he is looking for a girlfriend.

I don't like repeating this stuff because it is too much like gossip for my taste (now I'm thinking of that HeeHaw song). But it is also the truth and something that has caused so many to dismiss @evangelist6589 as a false preacher. How can we proclaim Christ with our lips yet deny him with our actions without damaging the gospel we are trying to preach?

 

[evangelist6589]

This thread has turned into an attack on me. Please close it at once.