Stop evangelizing your church and evangelize Christ. There is no place in the Bible where church is ever evangelized. Christ is our savior not a church or their activities. Bowling night does not bring people to Christ. Movie night is not saving souls. Don't get me wrong. There can be a lot of things to help with spiritual growth. But these things do not evangelize Christ to the unbeliever. This does not include Passion of the Christ. He alone saves and the Holy Spirit of God convicts. The apostles did not invite people to church. They invited people to Christ.
Quit!!!!!!!!
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DutchChristian
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Mark 1:14-15
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 1:
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Glory to GOD!
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 1:
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Glory to GOD!
Rev T.S.Perkins
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When I was about 14-15 I had no parent guide cd and ran the streets ! There was a church 45 min away by bicycle . They had a Thursday night movie night called the Thursday thingy ! Let me tell you if I had not had that to go to I might have been different right now ... Maybe they didnt shove church down my throat but they didnt look Down thier noses at me either . Movie nights got me through a rough time n my life ...just rember God can use anything we give him . Bowling nights kept me off the streets and in good company also Christ is more than just the book ,these people showed me unconditional love and grace as a child when no one else did . So i grew up remember ing the passion they had for life and God ...never did they say it ! Just lived it before me ...Rev
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clark thompson
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This is a stance I have true, I will invite unchurch believers to church though.
Brighthouse
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Interesting ushalk. What most people read but never grasp,is the Word says to make disciples of those whom the Lord will touch through you. Another words you become accountable to those you witness to! ME ACCOUNTABLE???? LOL Many wish to run around and peddle the word.( 2 cor 2:17) Drop Jesus off at someones doorstep but never take the discipline and the time to teach another how and why we must mature!( 1 cor 13:11 and 1 cor 13:20!) Without a good example,how can we expect another to lead by that example? I learned the hard way myself in this! It was only when I was willing to become accountable,that through much grace,given me, I could help others to do the very same!( 1 Peter 3:18)
Since Jesus gives us much grace, we are to give the same to others,so they may learn by our example, as well as being able to become one themselves! Before I would invite another to join us,the Lord would have me prepare them to be able to join us. I would never wish to have any feel as if they are alone among so many.Because even through they come to a church,they can sure feel alone in that church! I know! So interesting point Ushalk! Before bringing another part into the body of Christ,one looks to teach and encourage that part to find his or her place in that Body of Christ. So that they, as we, become a blessing every time they set foot into those church doors.
For strong discipline begins in the Church!!( 1 Peter 4:17-18) So that when we come from Church we as our Jesus never judges, but rather shows love,this love!!( john 13:34) and not judgement( rom 2:1-4!!!) judgement begins, or should begin in each Church,because if the Church itself boasts in itself this is never good!( 1 cor 5:4-8!!) Blessing all! 1 cor 1:30-31!) But By HIS DOING! amen
Since Jesus gives us much grace, we are to give the same to others,so they may learn by our example, as well as being able to become one themselves! Before I would invite another to join us,the Lord would have me prepare them to be able to join us. I would never wish to have any feel as if they are alone among so many.Because even through they come to a church,they can sure feel alone in that church! I know! So interesting point Ushalk! Before bringing another part into the body of Christ,one looks to teach and encourage that part to find his or her place in that Body of Christ. So that they, as we, become a blessing every time they set foot into those church doors.
For strong discipline begins in the Church!!( 1 Peter 4:17-18) So that when we come from Church we as our Jesus never judges, but rather shows love,this love!!( john 13:34) and not judgement( rom 2:1-4!!!) judgement begins, or should begin in each Church,because if the Church itself boasts in itself this is never good!( 1 cor 5:4-8!!) Blessing all! 1 cor 1:30-31!) But By HIS DOING! amen
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I'm guessing you're having a bad day. Side note, I fully disagree with your point here. I belong to a church. We have lots of "evangelizing" events and they indeed work 100%.
I suggest you stop speaking from opinion and read the Bible more carefully with an open heart to the Holy Spirit's guidance. What your post states is contradicting to what Jesus did. Did he not sit with sinners and dine with them? Did He not go out of His way to heal them and minister to them? For sure.
Your post is an example of how NOT to reach the lost.
Sure, Bowling night alone won't bring a person to Christ.
Neither would choir practices, worship band, barbecues, potluck parties, charity / fund-raising events.
But know this, to make disciples out of a non-believer whom you know, you probably have to do all the above, and many more in addition... including but not limited to: being there when the unimaginable happens, listening when angry, hurtful, doubtful moments struck, caring when the zeal is exhausted.
Making disciples is not for every Christians, it is only designed for those who has already embraced their new-(God-powered)-self and let go of their old-(self-powered)-one (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Neither would choir practices, worship band, barbecues, potluck parties, charity / fund-raising events.
But know this, to make disciples out of a non-believer whom you know, you probably have to do all the above, and many more in addition... including but not limited to: being there when the unimaginable happens, listening when angry, hurtful, doubtful moments struck, caring when the zeal is exhausted.
Making disciples is not for every Christians, it is only designed for those who has already embraced their new-(God-powered)-self and let go of their old-(self-powered)-one (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Are you going to let it defeat you?
Right now you're ranting. I get it. When you look around you everywhere you go, there's a nameless sadness that will eat you up from the outside -> in, if you let it. It's not that you think you're better than anyone else, you want to be efficient and see souls saved, right?
I bet we've all walked at least a mile in your shoes and know how it feels to be lonely in a crowd of people; but lonely only for a moment because He who is in you (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4) and He's reminding you right now, Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Don't let your heart be troubled (John 14:1); dare to be bold and witness wherever you are!! The Holy Spirit leads you; even through the darkest nights. Are you a hero? (See Casting Crowns - The Heroes)
SpiritLedEd
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Unfortunately, many churches are cold and unfriendly and do not effectively convey the gospel message. The church Rev describes and the church I attend do not fit that mold. As a long time member of a Twelve Step program, I'm known as a guy who talks about God a lot and I've had the honor of drawing people to my church and seeing them fall in love with Jesus.
SLE
interesting that out of all of the people that made statements on here, you are the only one that got it. once again the post that I made is describing in full the faith in buildings and names and us having the power. none are true and they are all very dangerous. teaching people that church buildingism is faith in Christ is a very sad fallacy.
did your church building and denomination name save you? if you are saved by them I would ask you to recheck yourself at the door of Christ. he is the only way and the truth and the life. going to the building every time the doors open having nothing to do with your salvation as far as how you became saved. if in fact there is salvation in you. that is not to judge and say weather you are or not saved I am not god to judge. but I admit your statement has raised questions.
No need for reiteration, bro; your original post goes without saying. Looks like everyone gets it too; some were just more sympathetic than others. But don't let that stop you, go on with your bad ranting self... take a deep breath, let it all out! :smiley:
I forgive you.
Edit: I feel people wanted to help you see things in a positive light, where the Holy Spirit takes something ugly to the natural eye and transforms it into something beautiful... But if help wasn't what you were looking for, then forgive me for my part in wasting your time. Rant on!
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that's funny. I enjoyed reading that. however inviting people to church is by no means evangelism. it does not matter how we want to justify it, the apostles did not do it nor did jesus himself. nor is it written that way anywhere in the bible. people were first taught the gospel of Christ and then when they accepted were they invited to the church. the gathering of the body or people that were believers. not come to my church and become a member.
yes it probably seems as though I am ranting but many are being mislead that they are saved because they joined a church denomination. that is not salvation nor will it ever be.
I forgive you.
I think most unbelievers are wise up to the Christian ways and the evangelical methods, they can know when they are being evangelized from a mile away. They want to know that Christians are normal and genuine. Lack of normality or genuineness will be a turn off. We have to make unbelievers feel comfortable. The best way to do that is invite them to a home, or small gathering for a meal. Bowling, movies etc are good ways to encourage social interaction between believer and non-believer.
Hekuran
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This reminds me a little of Vincent Donovan, missionary to the Maasi. Concluding that the past 100 years of missionary activity had got nowhere, he wrote to his superior:
Looking at these people around me... I suddenly feel the urgent need to cast aside all theories and discussions, all efforts at strategy--and simply go to these people and do the work among them for which I came to Africa.... I would propose cutting myself off from the schools and the hospital... and just go and talk to them about God and the Christian message.... I know this is a radical departure from the traditional procedure.... But I would like to try.... I have no theory, no plan, no strategy, no gimmicks--no idea of what will come
Looking at these people around me... I suddenly feel the urgent need to cast aside all theories and discussions, all efforts at strategy--and simply go to these people and do the work among them for which I came to Africa.... I would propose cutting myself off from the schools and the hospital... and just go and talk to them about God and the Christian message.... I know this is a radical departure from the traditional procedure.... But I would like to try.... I have no theory, no plan, no strategy, no gimmicks--no idea of what will come
Well most evangelism is not evangelism it is proselytizing and waste of time.
There is no need for any ministry or denomination to evangelize an area in which a church already exists.
I know that missionaries from one ministry or denomination go to evangelize people who are already evangelized by a different ministry or denomination.
These people are then encouraged to buy their particular brand of videos, books, etc or go to their particular brand of church. Meanwhile the areas of the world which have not heard the gospel at all go untouched.
There is no need for any ministry or denomination to evangelize an area in which a church already exists.
I know that missionaries from one ministry or denomination go to evangelize people who are already evangelized by a different ministry or denomination.
These people are then encouraged to buy their particular brand of videos, books, etc or go to their particular brand of church. Meanwhile the areas of the world which have not heard the gospel at all go untouched.
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clark thompson
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I represent Christ and will spread His message the gospel to the lost they do not need church they need to become a part of His church before they could fit in at any church service or church fellowship but if they had come to know Jesus and just back slide going to church is a good step to grow in the relationship they have with Christ. Gather with other believers was very important to my walk with Christ and for believers that are not apart of this I will help this by suggesting they attend church to grow with brothers and sisters in faith, the church. I once met a man who had been a pastor and was ran off because they did not like the message he preached from the word of who they need to be actively serving Christ and because he was ran off had no church to go and moved to a different area, I invited this man to go to church with me because I felt he was a brother and needed a fellowship that accepted God's hard truth as he did.
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Brighthouse
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I believe the only point many are making Ushalk is this,we cannot trust in ourselves.( 2 cor 1:9) We cannot forsake our assembling together.( heb 10:23-27) At the start of my own walk I did not care for what my church was preaching or acting like either,and let it be know to them thinking I was all that and a bag of chips! LOL Feeling very proud and believing, I, God's lone ranger, had the perfect truth in this, I to avoided the church for many weeks. One day in prayer Holy Spirit came upon me inside and said,you will never be given much until you have become faithful in very little,( luke 16:10)
For one can never expect to become served until one has truly learned how to become a servant, and learn what a true servant is! You may feel that you have no part, in the body,for you say most of the parts in that body are not working correctly,but how can you ever become an example if you are not there? And who are you to say that I am wrong and have mad a mistake by placing you in that body?( The Lord then took me to Job 40:1-9!!) I went back to the church brother,and learned how to serve,I did not like it,but in time as my voice kept silent,I learned what Holy Spirit was looking to teach me.After two long years,I was ready!
The Church then sent me out to represent them to others,because I had learned the most important lesson of all! ( john 13:34) What I learned is that those who would become the most important in the kingdom, always look to serve the entire kingdom, at all times! To remain as a child, in evil,yet mature in ones own thinking!( 1 cor 14:20, and matt 18:1-6) Consider this brother. And you will grow great in grace!( 2 Peter 3:18)
And from that grace you always show to others even when they do not deserve it,we find just how much grace the Lord has had upon us,as we to never deserved it! Love has got to become our nature,for without love we just make a loud sound with no result!( 1 cor 13:1) May this help you,as the Lord has helped me greatly by teaching me this hard lesson upon self.
For one can never expect to become served until one has truly learned how to become a servant, and learn what a true servant is! You may feel that you have no part, in the body,for you say most of the parts in that body are not working correctly,but how can you ever become an example if you are not there? And who are you to say that I am wrong and have mad a mistake by placing you in that body?( The Lord then took me to Job 40:1-9!!) I went back to the church brother,and learned how to serve,I did not like it,but in time as my voice kept silent,I learned what Holy Spirit was looking to teach me.After two long years,I was ready!
The Church then sent me out to represent them to others,because I had learned the most important lesson of all! ( john 13:34) What I learned is that those who would become the most important in the kingdom, always look to serve the entire kingdom, at all times! To remain as a child, in evil,yet mature in ones own thinking!( 1 cor 14:20, and matt 18:1-6) Consider this brother. And you will grow great in grace!( 2 Peter 3:18)
And from that grace you always show to others even when they do not deserve it,we find just how much grace the Lord has had upon us,as we to never deserved it! Love has got to become our nature,for without love we just make a loud sound with no result!( 1 cor 13:1) May this help you,as the Lord has helped me greatly by teaching me this hard lesson upon self.
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I will agree to disagree on these points. I do agree we need good fellowship and relationships in Christ. I agree that we need to use our gifts and all of that. but when we accepted Christ we became a member of the church.
