June, 2011 - Stone The Preacher

Vacation Notice

Jun 24, 2011Steve Sanchez12 CommentsUncategorized

I will be away from my computer until July 12 and will not be posting anything until then (except for our July evangelism schedule on Wednesday, July 6). We just bought our first home and probably won’t have everything set up until then. Feel free to comment on any posts and my guest moderator, “Righteous”

Incident Report

Jun 23, 2011Steve Sanchez86 CommentsPERSECUTED!

Usually when we head to our local fishin’ hole, the Redondo Beach Pier, it is a placid, gentle place to hand out Gospel tracts and share our faith one-to-one; last week was the exception. A patrol officer, new on the beat, took issue with our team, led by my trusted leader Ed Lee. Here is the Incident Report we sent to our lawyer. Afterward, I’d love to hear what you have to say about what happened and your reaction to Ed’s response.

As you requested, here is a short summary of the police intervention today:

At approximately 3:45 pm this afternoon, as I was leading the evangelism outreach at Redondo Beach Pier, Sgt. ________ approached me and announced in a loud voice, “I told you people that you cannot pass out any literature anywhere on the pier or the international walkway! It is illegal to do so, and if you do not stop I will take you upstairs to the police office and cite you for a violation and it will cost you $350!”

Martyrs: Police Target Christians

Jun 22, 2011Steve Sanchez12 CommentsMartyrs

The situation for Christians in Uzbekistan appears to be worsening, according to recent reports by Forum 18 News Service. Police officers assaulted a woman at her home while her parents were being interrogated over their religious activity at the local police station. Sources who asked not to be identified for fear of state reprisals said, “Officers kicked the woman and hit her on the head, giving her a severe concussion.”

In Tashkent, a police officer threatened to kill a Protestant Christian if he continued to challenge a fine given to him for his religious activity. “I have prepared an axe for you, which will be flying after you, observing you, and if need be kill you,” sources quoted the officer as telling him.

Saturday Evangelism: Riviera Street Fair

Jun 22, 2011Steve Sanchez1 CommentAA- EVANGELISM SCHEDULE

We are going to another street fair this Saturday afternoon; this time, in Redondo Beach! Scale of evangelistic difficulty from 1-10, with 10 being most difficult? A 1. Meet at Hope Chapel at noon to carpool.

The 50% Rule for Evangelism Classes (and how to break it!)

Jun 19, 2011Steve Sanchez5 CommentsEv Tips/Tools

(This is an occasional series on conducting Evangelism Classes. Click here for part 1.)

The 50% rule is fairly standard for those who teach evangelism classes. Half of the students drop out before the class is done; in fact, most drop out before the fourth class starts. Why is this?

I have a theory: When you take a theology class, at the end, there won’t be much required of you unless you are asked a very difficult question on doctrine; but in the end, you will certainly be a little smarter.

If you take a course on prayer, by the time you graduate, you will know how to pray. And you aren’t necessarily required to pray out loud or in public. Most will do their duty alone.

But when you enroll in an evangelism training course, you will be required to share your faith at the end of the class. That’s too much to ask for many Christians. They’d rather let those who have “the gift” of evangelism do that.

Hence, a 50% drop out rate!

But you don’t have to settle for that. Create an incentive that appeals to the lazy, the fearful, the type A and type Z person. Make it a competition where the individuals can win—and win big!