Off to go preach the word of God

[ProjectPeter]

Some nights I pass out allot more than that. I do see them on the ground, but rarely in comparison to how many I pass out.

Pass them out... every now and again someone actually reads it and it can work. I've nothing against folks passing out tracts... think everyone should have some one them if for no other reason than to drop some off every time you are around a public bathroom... that is where they are most often actually read. It's not the most effective way to reach folk but then again I'm not going to hang around the bathroom and talk to them while they do their stuff either! So they have a purpose if they're the right tracts. Just be careful and don't fool yourself in thinking passing out a bazzillion is doing all that much. Once upon a time they were much more effective than they now are.

One on one witnessing is the best... a couple at a time is okay. That's where Ray has it down pat. It's more personal and times more effective. Keep in mind though, and this is where I disagree with Ray. His method, while it works well with some, doesn't work well with everyone. He uses the example of the rich young ruler as why he uses this method and cool. Thing is though... that was one man that Jesus used that with. With another... he read her mail and spoke of her many husbands. With another, he ate dinner with him in his house once the short man crawled out of the tree... with another He allowed her to wash his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. You MUST be tuned into the Spirit of God and listen to Him individual to individual. Some... He'll even tell you to pass them by. But HE NEVER gets it wrong. Learn that and you'll be effective and even moreso than Ray, Kirk and Todd.

[ProjectPeter]

I hav worked with other churches and done evangelism. One church we did door to door outreach every sunday. We passed out many tracts and spoke with many. Another church they allowed freedom and so some went to the local YMCA, some went to play basketball and build friendships with troubled youth, and some went on the streets and preached and passed out tracts. This church had a open mind and recognized the many different forms of evangelism. I could not bare doing anything but street evangelism and so spent all my time doing that with them.

It a blessing when the body of Christ recognizes he many different forms and gifts of evangelism.

Super... and add to that the many different forms of street evangelism too. Unlike many, I'm good with the old fashioned hell fire and damnation messages because that is what some need to hear and it'll pierce their heart. I'm okay with Jesus loves you because some need to hear that and it'll pierce their heart where it wouldn't the guy needing to hear turn or burn. I'll make the case that standing on the street corner doesn't do all that much but I know that there are folks that God has told to go and preach on the street corner anyway. Been there, done that. Again... listen to the Spirit at all times. If He says tell them of hell then open mouth and speak. If He says tell them of God's love... open mouth and speak. If He tells you to move on and keep the pie hole closed... move on saying nothing. That's the recipe for biblical evangelism.

[Firefighter]

If He tells you to move on and keep the pie hole closed... move on saying nothing.

I have actually had that happen, and I must say, I thought it pretty weird. I have also learned to listen to God no matter how weird it sounds.

[Firefighter]

He uses the example of the rich young ruler as why he uses this method and cool.

I fear of stating the obvious, it didn't work with the rich young ruler either. Jesus recognized this and changed His approach.

[RabbiKnife]

Ministering to atheists sometimes means buying them a beer.

I'll leave it at that.

[notuptome]

I fear of stating the obvious, it didn't work with the rich young ruler either. Jesus recognized this and changed His approach.

Please show me where Jesus changed His approach. Are you teaching that Jesus erred in His message to the Jews?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[notuptome]

Ministering to atheists sometimes means buying them a beer.

I'll leave it at that.

The atheist presupposes the existance of God.

It is never a good plan to combine beer and the gospel. Never, unless you goal is to make them your convert and not Christs.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[Athanasius]

The atheist presupposes the existance of God.

Some Christians presuppose that atheists presuppose the existence of God. No amount of beer makes recovering from this presupposition any easier.

[Firefighter]

Please show me where Jesus changed His approach. Are you teaching that Jesus erred in His message to the Jews?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

He went from the law to telling him to do something that is not in the law. He walked away.

[Firefighter]

Ministering to atheists sometimes means buying them a beer.

Ministering to gang bangers sometimes means drinking a swallow or two of beer.

[ProjectPeter]

I have actually had that happen, and I must say, I thought it pretty weird. I have also learned to listen to God no matter how weird it sounds.

So have I... more than once. It happens if you listen.

[ProjectPeter]

I fear of stating the obvious, it didn't work with the rich young ruler either. Jesus recognized this and changed His approach.

Nah... I don't suspect it was about changing His approach. I suspect He probably used it a time or in his few years of ministry. But point... He used multiple approaches depending on whom it was He was speaking to.

[ProjectPeter]

Ministering to atheists sometimes means buying them a beer.

I'll leave it at that.

Sure it does. Ministering to drunks shaking like a leaf sometimes too. Takes the edge off.

And for those that say "that's enabling" or wrong to do... whatever you want to call it. I call it knocking the edge off so that they can hear me and function a little bit easier. While they are unsaved what does it matter? You're not going to clean them up yourself and until they come clean with God... they're not going to clean up.

[ProjectPeter]

He went from the law to telling him to do something that is not in the law. He walked away.

Yeah but in all fairness to Comfort... they don't teach them to follow the Law. They use that to show them that they indeed are sinners etc. They don't leave them hanging there and they do tell them something that is not in the law as well. Gotta keep it fair here.

[watchman 2]

Ministering to gang bangers sometimes means drinking a swallow or two of beer.

No it does not, no it does not. The Bible commands SEPARATION from worldliness, and living a life of Holiness. One cant be separate and remain holy by falling for the sins of the flesh.