PASTOR JAY PETERS
Relationship evangelism (or friendship evangelism) as it is sometimes called could be one of the biggest hinderances to the gospel message being prolific in our world. Let me clarify the obvious by saying we should always be building relationships with lost people for the purpose of witnessing. But, we must realize strangers need Jesus just as much as our friends.
Some people may say I have an agenda. And my answer to them is yes. I do have an agenda: To see every soul I meet in heaven. I believe the main reason Christians do not share Christ openly and hide behind “relationship evangelism” is because they are ashamed and fear men more then God. Therefore, these Christians are conformed to the world. Modern evangelist Mark Cahill says, “We are either engaging our culture, or our culture is engaging us.”
When I use the term relationship evangelism, I am referring to the common misconception as is proposed plainly here. To summarize the article, we must take several steps over a long period of time in order to establish a friendship or relationship. Then, ever so carefully, begin to share our faith.
This method removes the urgency in which we need to share Christ. In the same way, if we saw someone in a burning building, we would immediately try to rescue them. Yet the plight of the sinner is that at any second, he may be entering eternity and be in the lake of fire. Why would we delay?
A good friend of mine recently got saved and began to share his faith at work. As he did, Christians began to come out of the woodwork. These were Christian friends who had never shared Christ with him. His question to them was this: “So when were you going to tell me I was going to Hell?” Before you condemn those believers, think about your own witness. Maybe he could have asked you that same question.
Those who believe that relationship evangelism is more effective will often point to statistics that show 79 % of people come to Christ through friends. This may be so when we stop to consider only 2 % of Christians share their faith. Friends are the only alternative since nobody is sharing with strangers. Most Christians are salt stuck in the salt shaker and hiding the light under a basket (Matthew 5:13-15).
Relationship evangelism implies that the Gospel is not effective unless a best friend tells me it. Yet, that stands in opposition to the Scriptures. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16).”
Another example would be the Seed and the Sower. We sow the seed (The Gospel) and leave the results to God, those who have their hearts (the soil) ready will respond and grow. It’s pretty simple. The Bible does not support this relationship evangelism by example or in doctrine, and actually contradicts it by the words of Jesus who said “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household. (Matthew 13:57)”
So, some close relationships may hinder more than help the cause of evangelism. Oftentimes, I found it easier to share the gospel with a complete stranger, then with my own family! The power of God is contained within the message, regardless if it is a stranger, best friend or a talking donkey that relays the message. We often trust in man and his persuasiveness of speech, rather than the foolishness of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:17-18).
Another huge lie that we need to acknowledge is that nobody wants to hear the Gospel. I can’t tell you how many times, both old and young people, have thanked me for sharing the truth with them, even after I made it clear they would go to Hell without Christ. People are literally dying to know the truth. Don’t deprive them of that. That is how we really love our neighbor.
The example we see in Scripture is that of the Gospel being proclaimed in the open public. John the Baptist preached repentance with all Judea and Jerusalem coming out to hear him (Matthew 3:5). Jesus speaks to the crowds at the sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1). The Apostle Paul, after his conversion, began immediately to preach in the synagogues (Acts 9:20). Prior to this, Peter spoke to a great crowd and 3,000 were saved (Acts 3:41). Did John, Jesus, Paul and Peter wait to build relationships before they preached to the masses? Of course not. Yet they were effective and are the examples we are to follow.
This brings up another point: The potential we have to reach large numbers by witnessing to strangers both with tracts and open air preaching. With a handful of people, a box of tracts and a megaphone, we can reach a couple thousand people in just a few hours, that would take years in the relationship model. I would propose we develop relationships with people as we evangelize, not putting the cart before the horse. By doing so we will reach far more people and also be following the biblical example.
As we continue in these relationships we make sure our walk meets our talk and lead those who are born again into “discipleship relationships” that will further the kingdom (Matthew 28). Pray like Paul for boldness, so that you will share Christ wherever you go; at gas stations, bookstores, supermarket, little league, etc. Do this and see if God does not use you in powerful ways to be his voice to a dying world. For more information, please read Woman at the Well by Pastor MIke Cepela.
“If sinners are to be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned or unprayed for.”
Charles Spurgeon
