Last weekend our evangelism team went to an anti-war protest to preach the Gospel. A few days later I received an email from a person who questioned our methods. Read what he/she said below, then let me know how you would have responded. I’ll share my response on Monday.
On Saturday I went to the anti-war march in Hollywood because I am a Christian, and because Jesus told us blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God and to love our enemies and I don’t think that means except for the Taliban.
But there seemed to be Christians counter protesting. They were yelling into a megaphone and handing out tracts.
People in the march were mostly just yelling profanities at them while the same people came up and talked to me and asked me about my sign which read “Who would Jesus bomb?” Which of those two ways of sharing ones faith do you think is more successful?
People are more receptive when they are curious. I did get to talk to one person from your group and we had quite a civil conversation although we disagreed on many issues. What I am wondering is why are the members of your church not joining the peace march? Are you not pacifists which all Christians should be? Also, do you really believe that yelling into a megaphone and passing out tracts is going to make people want to become Christians?
Christians have been doing this for centuries and I guess I just don’t get it. It reminds me of the story of the Mayan native who saw his village destroyed by Spanish Christians. They put him on the stake to be burnt and before they lit the stake the priest asked the man whether or not he wanted to accept Jesus and go to heaven or not and go to hell. The man asked are there Christians in heaven? the priest answered yes and the native man answered him I would rather go to hell to escape the Christians.
Now I am not saying that I witnessed anyone being burnt at the stake but I just think that it is so vital for Christians to make relationships with people before they decide to condemn them to hell and tell them that their only choice is to accept Christ.
Why is it that everywhere that I look Christians just preach and preach the same message to everyone. In fact I don’t think that you would be able to find one person in our country who has not heard of Jesus or Christians. So why don’t we stop preaching and start listening and building relationships and leave the judging up to God.
Read my answers to his/her questions on Monday….