The fallacy of friendship evangelism

[annsni]

THIS is the kind of street preaching I will support. This is a local pastor who started this organization that now feeds 3500 people each week at different locations throughout Long Island. In addition to these food pantry type ministries, he also provides clothing, school supplies, kids' club with free lunch, programs for the at risk youth, etc. He has been shot at, had death threats and all sorts of things - but through the ministry he heads, MANY have come to know Jesus.

One thing that you don't see here on this video is the volunteers who are with the people, who pray with them as they receive food, who forge relationships with many of them. We've gone to entertain the kids while their parents are waiting on a long line to receive enough food to feed them for the week. They don't just hand someone a tract, tell them they are a sinner and hope that things work out. There is love. There is interaction. There is support and there is follow-up for those who respond. THIS is what evangelism is about!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLHfNS3-gog&list=UU3Ch0Ssxp0z5BVoxX3ok_iQ&index=5

 

[quantumfaith]

THIS is the kind of street preaching I will support. This is a local pastor who started this organization that now feeds 3500 people each week at different locations throughout Long Island. In addition to these food pantry type ministries, he also provides clothing, school supplies, kids' club with free lunch, programs for the at risk youth, etc. He has been shot at, had death threats and all sorts of things - but through the ministry he heads, MANY have come to know Jesus.

One thing that you don't see here on this video is the volunteers who are with the people, who pray with them as they receive food, who forge relationships with many of them. We've gone to entertain the kids while their parents are waiting on a long line to receive enough food to feed them for the week. They don't just hand someone a tract, tell them they are a sinner and hope that things work out. There is love. There is interaction. There is support and there is follow-up for those who respond. THIS is what evangelism is about!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLHfNS3-gog&list=UU3Ch0Ssxp0z5BVoxX3ok_iQ&index=5

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

[padredurand]

A man spends hours writing an article and quotes dozens of scripture which you dismiss with your opinion.

From Tony Miano's bio at CARM:

• In addition, Tony wrote and co-hosted approximately 400 episodes of Living Waters’ live, web-based program, “On the Box, with Ray Comfort.”
  
• Presently, Tony is serving the Lord as a missionary, with an emphasis on open-air preaching and the discipleship of the current generation of open-air preachers.

Source

If I was making my money milking Holsteins with bobbed tails I sure wouldn't be bad-mouthing Holsteins, milk or bobbed tails.

Yes, I read the article. Twice - which is the same number of times you took that WOTM course. As a result, I am as qualified to comment on the article as you are to be a WOTM practitioner.

From the article:

Friendship Evangelism Doesn't Preach Christ

My friend wrote:

"I have made myself known to all, but not gone out of my way to share the gospel."

In a sentence my friend summed up one of the great deficiencies of "Friendship Evangelism." With the shockingly low number of professing Christians sharing the gospel with a single person in a year's time (or in a lifetime), it's obvious most Christians practicing "Friendship Evangelism" are part of that indefensible number. Why? By engaging in the practice of "Friendship Evangelism," the Christian spends far more time making themselves known to their friends than making Christ known (1 Corinthians 2:2) to their friends.

Mr. Miano jumps on the bandwagon and says, "See!! I told you that friendship evangelism garbage doesn't preach Christ." HOLSTEIN BY-PRODUCT. The author jumps to the conclusion that Friendship evangelism is at fault. It is not the evangelism methodology that kept Jesus out of the conversation. It was the friend!

Read it again: "I have made myself known to all, but not gone out of my way to share the gospel."

That would be called the NON-EXISTENT evangelism method. The friend did not say a word about Jesus. That is no evangelism at all.

 

[Rolfe]

Rolf, would that be me.....or did I simply initiate the conditions for him to show?

This simply seems like the type of thread that encourages his appearance. Evangelist makes one of his book/street preaching/letter writing statements... people disagree with him... the Rabbit shows up.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

From Tony Miano's bio at CARM:

• In addition, Tony wrote and co-hosted approximately 400 episodes of Living Waters’ live, web-based program, “On the Box, with Ray Comfort.”
  
• Presently, Tony is serving the Lord as a missionary, with an emphasis on open-air preaching and the discipleship of the current generation of open-air preachers.

Source

If I was making my money milking Holsteins with bobbed tails I sure wouldn't be bad-mouthing Holsteins, milk or bobbed tails.

Yes, I read the article. Twice - which is the same number of times you took that WOTM course. As a result, I am as qualified to comment on the article as you are to be a WOTM practitioner.

From the article:



Mr. Miano jumps on the bandwagon and says, "See!! I told you that friendship evangelism garbage doesn't preach Christ." HOLSTEIN BY-PRODUCT. The author jumps to the conclusion that Friendship evangelism is at fault. It is not the evangelism methodology that kept Jesus out of the conversation. It was the friend!

Read it again: "I have made myself known to all, but not gone out of my way to share the gospel."

That would be called the NON-EXISTENT evangelism method. The friend did not say a word about Jesus. That is no evangelism at all.

Lol...let it go brother.

 

[annsni]

I believe what that gentleman was really speaking about was "lifestyle evangelism" where one lives the "Preach the gospel at all times, use words when necessary" kind of thing. THAT is not friendship evangelism.

 

[padredurand]

Lol...let it go brother.

Holsteins trump rabbits. Every time.:thumbsup:

 

[OldRegular]

The problem with most evangelism is that it ignores Scripture:

John 6:44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.[/b]

I am of the opinion much evangelism today takes a position much like that described in the following link!

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/11/28/businessman-wants-to-build-mcdonalds-in-church/

 

[Sapper Woody]

But thats the model God has used for many generations, and also the mode he will use during the tribulation as many angels are proclaiming the gospel in the air, and the two witnesses will prophecy for 1260 days. I am for God and will use his method of evangelism.

And then...

Its not about methods

 

[Jerome]

Did the OP see this at Ray Comfort's 'Living Waters' website?

http://www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/howshouldiwitnesstomycoworkers.shtml

"How should I witness to my coworkers?"

When we interact with people on a daily basis, we have many opportunities for sharing our faith. First, be sure you are respectful to your employer and set a good example in your work ethic by working "as to the Lord" (Colossians 3:23).

When others around you grumble and complain, if you have a calm, forgiving, steadfast spirit, it will make an impression. As you respond in a Christ-like way to angry coworkers and stressful circumstances, people will see a difference in your life. Always be friendly and courteous, and show genuine interest in your coworkers’ lives. Invite them out to lunch to get better acquainted. Share their joys and sorrows by congratulating them in their good times and offering to pray for them in their bad times.

Be sure you do pray for them, then follow up by asking them about the situation you prayed for. They will be moved by your concern. If coworkers are discussing what they did during the previous weekend, you can share your excitement about attending church services or a special church event. Ask others if they have any plans for celebrating Christmas or Easter; be nonjudgmental of their answer, but be ready (if asked) to explain why you celebrate as you do.

Displaying a favorite Scripture or a devotional calendar, or reading your Bible during lunchtime, may prompt others to inquire about your faith. Bringing home-baked goods or leaving a small gift with a note on a coworker’s desk can sometimes have a greater impact than a thousand eloquent sermons. We can show our faith by our works. Others may not like a tree of righteousness, but they cannot help but like its fruit. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel, being careful not to infringe on your boss’s time.

 

[evangelist6589]

Did the OP see this at Ray Comfort's 'Living Waters' website?

http://www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/howshouldiwitnesstomycoworkers.shtml

The job world is an entirely different deal. Like I said I do not agree with Tony 100% but think in general he hits the ball hard on this issue.

 

[Revmitchell]

I believe what that gentleman was really speaking about was "lifestyle evangelism" where one lives the "Preach the gospel at all times, use words when necessary" kind of thing. THAT is not friendship evangelism.

The author of the op doesn't know the difference and often conflates the two.

 

[Revmitchell]

I disagree!!!!!!!!

I know you do but that doesn't change facts.

 

[Rolfe]

The job world is an entirely different deal.

Only if one has no interaction with people.

 

[Yeshua1]

The job world is an entirely different deal. Like I said I do not agree with Tony 100% but think in general he hits the ball hard on this issue.

We are to be into the lives of the lost, as we are the Body of christ reaching out towards them, and we alone can give them the good news...

We have to 'earn" the right by our deeds/actions/words while around them to have them hear our testimony, for what good is it for us to preach the Gospel. but leabe them with the impression that its now turn or burn period?

The best witness to many unsaved is how we live our lives aroundthem, as that will speak much louder then our words!