Comments on: Christians Trying to Convert Non-Christians

By: Arley Higginbotham

Arley Higginbotham — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:44:22 +0000

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.

By: Top 5 Missional Blogs « Roots Run Deep

Top 5 Missional Blogs « Roots Run Deep — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:23:07 +0000

[...] 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. [...]

By: Twitted by nate_williams

Twitted by nate_williams — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:20:18 +0000

[...] This post was Twitted by nate_williams [...]

By: Should Christians try to convert non-Christians? - deTheos

Should Christians try to convert non-Christians? - deTheos — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:26:31 +0000

[...] 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) [...]

By: Link Here to Another World « Thinking Out Loud

Link Here to Another World « Thinking Out Loud — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:04:28 +0000

[...] 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. [...]

By: Jonathan McIntosh

Jonathan McIntosh — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:49:32 +0000

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

By: Quotables « New Covenant Christianity

Quotables « New Covenant Christianity — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:56:24 +0000

[...] A short video about Christians Trying to Convert Non-Christians [...]

By: Mark Sigman

Mark Sigman — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:36:07 +0000

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.

By: Wayne Cox

Wayne Cox — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:16:23 +0000

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?

By: Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Jamie Arpin-Ricci — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:15:19 +0000

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