"Evangelism" is a word that makes me queasy. I picture someone handing out religious literature or trying to convert me to an idea without taking into account the beliefs that I hold dear. Changing people from one denomination to another does not seem to count as "going into the world and making disciples."
I have come to believe that relationships are the primary ingredient involved. Listening is a powerful way to demonstrate love. As St. Francis said so eloquently, "Preach the gospel
everywhere, always. . .when necessary, use words."
However, we are all aware of individuals experiencing stressful life changes, broken relationships and emptiness in their lives. Buying more stuff, exercising longer hours, or starting a new diet
does not fill hollowness of the soul. We believe that the Spirit of Jesus transforms.
With a smile, Doug Anderson, in speaking to the 1800 delegates of our regional United Methodist Conference, estimated that every 38 years, a Methodist invites someone to church. "Too many of us have our light hidden, our salt buried, and our leaven protected in airtight packages."
Certainly, if we are the hands of Christ reaching out to the drowning, we need to extend a firmer grip.*
*A thought from "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out
of the Boat" by John Ortberg
