The appropriate and not appropriate way to evangelize a apostate church

[evangelist6589]

A caller called the WOTM Podcast I heard today and said he went inside a certain false church and placed gospel tracts, and had thoughts of passing them out to people as they walked in, or perhaps placing them on their cars. This led to a discussion and the host was not sure on this one. Other callers voted and the podcast ended being tied if this was appropriate. I know that many have done this over the years and perhaps there is a place for it, but my argument would be that it may be the wrong way to evangelize a apostate church and I think the best way would be to send letters in the mail and include gospel tracts or a booklet/book, and or personally visit or phone the leader(s). If the church has a website and a address they are inviting communication with those outside their church and doing this would not be disrupting the service.

If someone where to open air preach on the church property (one bold WOTM evangelist I know did this once and was escorted off the property) this may be a disruption and people would take offense. I am sure a bold evangelist has also interrupted the preachers sermon doing the same thing which may shed a negative light on the gospel.

What say you?

 

[JonC]

A caller called the WOTM Podcast I heard today and said he went inside a certain false church and placed gospel tracts, and had thoughts of passing them out to people as they walked in, or perhaps placing them on their cars. This led to a discussion and the host was not sure on this one. Other callers voted and the podcast ended being tied if this was appropriate. I know that many have done this over the years and perhaps there is a place for it, but my argument would be that it may be the wrong way to evangelize a apostate church and I think the best way would be to send letters in the mail and include gospel tracts or a booklet/book, and or personally visit or phone the leader(s). If the church has a website and a address they are inviting communication with those outside their church and doing this would not be disrupting the service.

If someone where to open air preach on the church property (one bold WOTM evangelist I know did this once and was escorted off the property) this may be a disruption and people would take offense. I am sure a bold evangelist has also interrupted the preachers sermon doing the same thing which may shed a negative light on the gospel.

What say you?

Doesn't matter what I'd say, what does God say? Read Jude.

 

[padredurand]

What say you?

By what authority do you assume this role?

 

[Rolfe]

What say you?

It is similar to entering a stranger's home uninvited, telling them how to arrange their furniture and what color to paint their walls, while expecting the homeowner to think well of you for it.

 

[Salty]

... I am sure a bold evangelist has also interrupted the preachers sermon doing the same thing which may shed a negative light on the gospel.

What say you?

Then that bold evangelist had better be ready for a false witnesses to come in and interrupt a service while he is preaching.

 

[InTheLight]

What say you?

It doesn't matter. We will all tell you it is the wrong approach and you will still do it. Many of these people counseling you not to proceed are pastors with more education and more experience than you. Heed them.

 

[plain_n_simple]

Then that bold evangelist had better be ready for a false witnesses to come in and interrupt a service while he is preaching.

Now that is a wise thought and goes along with the golden rule.

 

[rivers1222]

A caller called the WOTM Podcast I heard today and said he went inside a certain false church and placed gospel tracts, and had thoughts of passing them out to people as they walked in, or perhaps placing them on their cars.

Got a quick question for you Evan, because this is a sore spot with me because I've seen it set sharing the Word back several times. What in the world makes you or any of your WOTM friends think you have the right to actually tug on someone's personal property, (their cars windshield wipers), and put what they consider litter on their vehicle? Do you feel this is morally acceptable. Do you really believe it's a good witness? No rabbits bro. Serious question.

 

[go2church]

They would be asked to leave. If they continue they will be arrested for trespassing.

 

[Don]

Here's a thought: Write the letter. Then where you wrote "Dear _____", put your name. Then read it as if you just received it from a pentecostal or a mormon. If you would be offended by it, well, there's your answer.

The same goes for visiting another church and leaving tracts. If you found a mormon or jehovah's witness leaving tracts in your church, how would you react?

Frankly, what Salty wrote is the best guideline. If you're gonna do it, be ready for it to be done unto you. If you wouldn't allow it, don't expect them to.

 

[Rippon]

Here's a thought: Write the letter. Then where you wrote "Dear _____", put your name. Then read it as if you just received it from a pentecostal or a mormon. If you would be offended by it, well, there's your answer.

The same goes for visiting another church and leaving tracts. If you found a mormon or jehovah's witness leaving tracts in your church, how would you react?

Frankly, what Salty wrote is the best guideline. If you're gonna do it, be ready for it to be done unto you. If you wouldn't allow it, don't expect them to.

Now that's an excellent post --full of sound wisdom.

 

[evangelist6589]

It doesn't matter. We will all tell you it is the wrong approach and you will still do it. Many of these people counseling you not to proceed are pastors with more education and more experience than you. Heed them.

But they are not evangelists. Also this thread is not about me, but a debate on the appropriate way.

But its not just WOTM as another evangelist (non WOTM connected) I heard at a conference encouraged the audience to go on a false church's property and pass out gospel tracts! He had said he wished he could go to Osteens church and do this. He also was selling gospel tracts that are designed for false converts and I bought 2 packs. These tracts are designed for these type of churches. But I am not invading any false churches with the tracts. I am just mailing them.

 

[evangelist6589]

Got a quick question for you Evan, because this is a sore spot with me because I've seen it set sharing the Word back several times. What in the world makes you or any of your WOTM friends think you have the right to actually tug on someone's personal property, (their cars windshield wipers), and put what they consider litter on their vehicle? Do you feel this is morally acceptable. Do you really believe it's a good witness? No rabbits bro. Serious question.

Because we take Mark 16:15 seriously and are zealous for evangelism because people are going to hell all the time and everyday. We believe in the doctrine of Hell and understand Luke 16 (which is no parable as real names are mentioned) and the many other passages in the NT that speak on Hell. Also a certain book called Heaven and Hell by Edward Donnelly I have been reading and it has been helping and encouraging me to be more evangelistic.

As long as a car is on public property tracts can be placed on it and no this is not liter as the gospel is not litter and I am concerned about you for saying such a thing. You need to seriously look at your heart.

 

[annsni]

As long as a car is on public property tracts can be placed on it and no this is not liter as the gospel is not litter and I am concerned about you for saying such a thing. You need to seriously look at your heart.

A church parking lot is not public property.

We were at an apple festival yesterday and got back to the car and found a flyer on the windshield. I took note of the company that it was advertising and will never purchase anything from them from now on. I HATE people putting things on my windshield and it's an automatic "You are an idiot" categorization for me. Most of my friends are the same way. At least someone standing on a street corner handing out a flyer allows me the ability to say "No thank you".

 

[rivers1222]

Because we take Mark 16:15 seriously and are zealous for evangelism because people are going to hell all the time and everyday. We believe in the doctrine of Hell and understand Luke 16 (which is no parable as real names are mentioned) and the many other passages in the NT that speak on Hell. Also a certain book called Heaven and Hell by Edward Donnelly I have been reading and it has been helping and encouraging me to be more evangelistic.

As long as a car is on public property tracts can be placed on it and no this is not liter as the gospel is not litter and I am concerned about you for saying such a thing. You need to seriously look at your heart.

Hard to get arrested for trespassing on public property Evan. Even on the street it's morally wrong. Guys like you would probably love to get your grill blasted for damaging private property and consider yourself persecuted and righteous before The Lord, when all you really were was a 2 bit vandal. If you notice I only average about 25 posts a year, but have learned much from so many here. Some no longer with us. I've watched your posts for a l

 

[Salty]

...As long as a car is on public property tracts can be placed on it and no this is not liter ....

Depends on local ordnance - (laws)

...as the gospel is not litter and .

the govt may not see it that way....

A word to the wise is sufficent

 

[rivers1222]

Because we take Mark 16:15 seriously and are zealous for evangelism because people are going to hell all the time and everyday. We believe in the doctrine of Hell and understand Luke 16 (which is no parable as real names are mentioned) and the many other passages in the NT that speak on Hell. Also a certain book called Heaven and Hell by Edward Donnelly I have been reading and it has been helping and encouraging me to be more evangelistic.

As long as a car is on public property tracts can be placed on it and no this is not liter as the gospel is not litter and I am concerned about you for saying such a thing. You need to seriously look at your heart.

To finish my post, (because as another poster mentioned, fat stubby fingers on a I phone), I thought you were a troll for the longest time, but then caught your act on you tube. Couple if people like you in my area that make it really hard to get the Gospel across to others. It will do no good to ask you to listen to those giving you advise who are much wiser than me or you. So I'll watch your posts for entertainment purposes. And I do look at my heart every day. I see room for much improvement, if that makes you feel more sanctimonious.

 

[Rolfe]

A church parking lot is not public property.

We were at an apple festival yesterday and got back to the car and found a flyer on the windshield. I took note of the company that it was advertising and will never purchase anything from them from now on. I HATE people putting things on my windshield and it's an automatic "You are an idiot" categorization for me. Most of my friends are the same way. At least someone standing on a street corner handing out a flyer allows me the ability to say "No thank you".

:thumbs: Leaving flyers on autos shows a disregard for other's personal property.

 

[Rolfe]

As long as a car is on public property tracts can be placed on it and no this is not liter as the gospel is not litter and I am concerned about you for saying such a thing. You need to seriously look at your heart.

It is litter when it ends up in the street.

 

[InTheLight]

But they are not evangelists.

They are pastors and they know how another pastor would react to someone trying to convert them to another doctrinal stance. Don's advice was excellent. How would you react if you got a rebuking letter from a Catholic? We already know the outcome. You would ignore any attempt to persuade you to change your beliefs or techniques. Pastors of false churches would do the same thing.

Also this thread is not about me, but a debate on the appropriate way.

...another evangelist I heard at a conference encouraged the audience to go on a false church's property and pass out gospel tracts! He had said he wished he could go to Osteens church and do this.

You cannot be seriously considering entering another church and passing out tracts. Really? That would NOT be appropriate. Same with putting tracts under windshield wipers.

Open air preaching on their property or (heaven forbid) standing up and interrupting a sermon is unthinkable.

So let's review.

Open air preaching on their property? No.
Interrupt sermon inside their church? No.
Enter church and pass out tracts? No.
Put tracts under windshield wipers? No.
Write letters and send tracts to pastors? No.

Asked and answered.