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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

618.0. "How do you typically share your faith?" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Rise Again!) Tue Mar 16 1993 15:25

How do you typically share your faith with others?

I mean, do you speak to others only if they bring the subject up?  Do
you make references to Jesus or your religious beliefs only in church
or in Christian interest Notes conferences?

Do you talk with people one-on-one, in small social gatherings or do
you witness publicly?

What inhibitions do you experience in sharing your faith with others?

Richard

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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618.1all of the above - as the Spirit leadsCVG::THOMPSONRadical CentralistTue Mar 16 1993 18:1142
>I mean, do you speak to others only if they bring the subject up?  Do
>you make references to Jesus or your religious beliefs only in church
>or in Christian interest Notes conferences?

    In general I bring it up when I feel it is appropriate. I've brought it
    up in all sorts of Notes conferences for example. But only in what I
    believed to be appropriate context. It's a part of me and I don't go
    out of my way to hide it. The same is true of general conversation. One
    on one or in a group (of any size) if I feel led to speak about Jesus I
    will.

>Do you talk with people one-on-one, in small social gatherings or do
>you witness publicly?

    All of this. I have from time to time gone out looking for people to 
    talk to about Jesus. The streets of a resort town or the dorm of a
    college campus. I haven't done that in a while but I have done it. I've
    also done a few things that have caused people to come to me. This I
    prefer. The best case of this was a couple of bicycle trips I've taken.
    Besides the physical aspect of such a trip people do tend to ask you
    what you're up to. The group I traveled with also had singing and
    sharing services at various churches alone the way. This provided a
    good opening to invite people to hear more about Jesus. So if singing
    Christian songs on the side of the road, on TV and radio, and talking
    to newspaper reporters is public I guess I'd have to say I've done that.

    Obviously I talk to people one on one alot more often than I do
    publicly though. I don't go door to door but I try to live so that 
    people will ask me about what makes me they way I am. I think that's
    generally the most effective way. People are more likely to listen to
    the answers to questions *they* ask then to people who give both the
    questions and the answers.

>What inhibitions do you experience in sharing your faith with others?

    Less than I used to. I'm still pretty shy about unsolicited one on one
    type stuff. But as I'm not so sure it's effective I don't see that as
    a problem. When God has created the situation, which I believe happens
    a lot, there is no inhibition at all regardless of the situation. That is 
    a wonderful feeling.

    			Alfred
618.2RelationalCSC32::KINSELLAit's just a wheen o' blethersTue Mar 16 1993 18:4118
    
    RE: .0
    
    I'd have to say I believe most strongly in relational evangelism.
    When people know you and what you're going through and you know what
    they are going through, it's easier to talk about what makes a
    difference in your life.  I find I share with people I work closely
    with.  I'm not apt to talk with a total stranger, but I would hope
    that if God told me to, that I would.
    
    I'd say my inhibitions are around making sure I don't overstep their
    boundaries...to share as God leads and not as I think it should be.
    I find this is easier when you know the person you're talking to.
    In a forum like notes this is much more difficult.  Again, I'm
    trusting more on God's leading rather than my own which takes constant
    releasing of my will and allowing God's will to lead me.
    
    Jill
618.3SituationalCSC32::J_CHRISTIERise Again!Tue Mar 16 1993 18:5414
I'm not a terribly outspoken person in real life.  (Some might disagree with
that self-assessment, that's my inner picture of myself.)

I generally don't bring up the subject unless I believe I'm in the company
of a receptive person or persons.  Even when serving as chaplain, I'm cautious.
I've served Jews and other persons of non-Christian faith while in the role of
chaplain.

I do feel some inhibitions about bringing up the topic cold unless I'm
in an environment which is open to it.  The situation has to be ripe.

Peace,
Richard