I asked my close friend, Aaron, to do a video interview as part of a teaching series we were doing last year at The Journey. After he answered my questions, Aaron turned to me and said, “I’d like to say something about Christians trying to convert non-Christians.”
The rest, well… the rest amazed me.
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Dang it, youtube is blocked here. I cannot wait to see this.
It’s Vimeo. But same deal.
I love the honesty Aaron speaks with here. It’s great to hear that perspective and some great things to keep in mind when talking with unbelieving friends. People don’t want to be another notch in the evangelism belt. They want people who truly care about them, whether they end up believing or not. Otherwise, we’re “QuickStar-ing” them and essentially using them to achieve our agenda. That’s not the point of evangelism.
Great stuff, and that’s awesome he agreed to talk about that.
Now that is odd, I came back to the site and saw that. At first my web blocker blocked it, now I can see it…odd.
Anyway, I am watching it now.
Anytime you build a relationship for any reason other than friendship or actual relationship, you are simply writing in the eventual date when that relationship will end.
In your career, how many coworker friends do you still keep in contact with? In church, how many of them do you see regularly outside of church?
True relationship has to be about just that.
Now, as an evangelism tool, I just prefer to Jack Chick track bomb people and scream SINNER! as I peel out of their ghetto neighborhoods…
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Good thoughts, guys.
And of course I agree. But since the fundys obviously don’t come to this website – let me be the foil.
Can you really come to a relationship without an agenda? I mean, Aaron absolutely knows that I love him and our friendship is not conditioned on his religious beliefs.
But at the same time – I really want him to have a relationship with Jesus. Is that an agenda?
Jonathan — you have a desire but not an agenda (I hope!). If you’re willing to sit with that desire, and the pain it brings when it’s not fulfilled, without it being a condition for the relationship, I think you’re on the right track.
Acceptance and care with where people are is extremely important.
It isn’t our job to change anyone, it’s God’s. However, we are the conduits here, for that higher calling, and have the responcibility to take great care in how those relationships unfold.
And, because this is a kingdom driven theme, I do think of it as an agenda.
Although, “agenda’s” do have that evil connotation to them…Sooo, how about rephrasing it as: Purpose.
If someone feels that you are involved IN them, with their worries, fears, needs, etc., then they feel more important to you.
When they feel this,that you are really invested in them, AND their wellbeing, as a friend, you are directly involved with their spiritual and emotional issues, and can speak better into those when that relationship is there.
Everyone needs acceptance and love..but most imporatantly, relationship…authentic relationship.
And, our non-believing friends need that coming from us, so they can trust what we say of what God’s truth is.
Isn’t that the point of the Christian journey??
Love God (being in relationship with him; just as you are),
Connect with people (in relationship, in culture; just as they are),
and Transform the world (for the “Purpose” of the kingdom of Heaven).???
It was a privilege for me to be interviewed by Jonathan. I remember that this last little segment just slipped into my mind as things were wrapping up. I love what you guys have to say on this topic. Jen – I think you are spot on with emphasizing acceptance. Most of the problems of the world are caused by people who think they are better than others. True acceptance is embracing our differences – thanking God for them. Lori – you said in one sentence what I haven’t been able to clearly state to Jonathan ever. I can assure you that Jonathan has no agenda, just desire. I have a desire to. I want Jonathan to wear a freaking kilt! It’s time to decide Jonathan!
Aaron, dude – you’re a freakin’ kilt-evangelist!
It will get worn in public, I promise.
And thanks for being gracious and interacting with us here.
[...] Christians Trying to Convert Non-Christians — short video, good stuff. [...]
As a former agenda driven evangelist, it breaks my heart to realize that I had chosen to use the way of the world to win people to Christ. This “agenda” is the sales pitch, and if one operates from that position, then you are compelled to “close the deal”. Using the way of the world is to leave God out of the relationship. As though God is not able to touch the person on His own and is waiting for His PR people to do the work for Him. It is the other way around. Simply being authentic in faith and natural about one’s faith is how God does touch others. What an honest statement, Aaron. Thank you.
Fantastic video! Thank you for sharing it, Jonathan. And thanks for the very gracious honesty, Aaron.
Have you guys see the movie “Big Kahuna”? There is a powerful scene where Danny Devito gives a riff on evangelism that is in the same vein as this and it is brilliant. If you haven’t seen it, go RIGHT now and rent it. Of course, if you can’t wait, here’s the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PkOc-B64dY
Great thread all!
Peace,
Jamie
Kind of going with Jonathon’s “foil” comment … if we’re on a (co)mission to “make disciples,” how is this not an agenda?
Lori’s use of “desire” and Jen’s shift to “purpose” leave me wondering … different words, but I don’t see a true distinction. Help?
If I’m in a relationship with a desire that someone be changed, or with the purpose that they come to be someone different, how do I avoid the kind of push-back Aaron talks about in the video?
I was in the book of Acts this morning and something I read gave me one of those “ah hah” moments, something that I think would apply here. Acts 16:14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. Verse 15 says she was then baptized. I think it’s important to know that God does the changing (or in this case, opens the ears of Lydia), not us. It’s our job to lead by example, just like Aaron says. Too many times I think us Christians feel like we are God’s designated lawyers, trying to make the case for Christ. We should be more like the witness on the stand, telling our own particular story when being interviewed. “Why are you being so nice, you’ve changed, what’s going on, that guy seems to have his head on straight, what’s his story?” Well here’s my story…Something like that.
[...] A short video about Christians Trying to Convert Non-Christians [...]
Alex – thanks for telling a bit of your story here.
Jamie – I’ve seen the Big Kahuna, and felt the same way after seeing that scene.
Wayne – I agree & disagree – and I think it’s more than semantics. Aaron knows that I want him to become a Christian. It’s something that I earnestly hope & pray for. But that’s not the reason that he & I are friends. (To be fair, that was one of my motivations in originally pursuing a friendship with him.)
But what has kept us friends over the years is simply that we really like each other. In fact, I love Aaron. He is a genuine friend and I really enjoy his company, his friendship.
In that way, its a friendship without an agenda – because it’s not contingent on whether or not Aaron ever comes to Christ.
Mark – I agree. your thoughts about “telling our own particular story” remind me of something I said here: http://vimeo.com/6097269
[...] Jonathan at ReThink Mission gets his friend Aaron — a non believer — talking about how Christians could better share their faith. Insight number one: “Don’t come with an agenda.” Hear more here. [...]
[...] At the end of an interview for a series we were doing at The Journey Church (St. Louis), Pastor Jonathan McIntosh’s good friend Aaron turned to him and said, “I’d like to say something about Christians trying to convert non-Christians.” This is what he said… (3:21) (originally found here) [...]
[...] This post was Twitted by nate_williams [...]
[...] Christians Trying to Convert Non-Christians: This is a video post in which Jonathan interviews a man who describes to him how most suburban Christians come across when trying to present the Gospel. [...]
Just a thought from an old street evangelist. My job as a Christian is not to convert anyone, my job is to preach the gospel, “good news”. Faith for salvation does not come from doing good deeds, or befriending others, it only comes from hearing the Word of God.Preaching is simply sharing Jesus through speaking the Word. Not yelling, screaming, but sharing as others ask you for a reason for the hope you have in you. Truth is to be spoken in Love, and when it is spoken, we must trust the Holy Spirit to take care of the rest. Striving to change anothers mind is generally counterproductive. The simpicity of the fact that we are all sinners, we have all come short of the glory of God, shuts off foolish pride and attitudes of superiority, we’re just beggars telling other beggars where to find bread. Sorry for the length, there is so much to say and do, the fields are ripe unto harvest.
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Jonathan, thank you again for your message at Immanuel Nashville today. It encouraged and strengthened me. I also appreciate Aaron’s perspective and insight in this post.
May God bless the work and efforts of CCC and may He pour out His Spirit on Memphis and bless your city and the people there.