Comments on: Dangers of Relational Evangelism: A Rejoinder

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:01:42 +0000

@Keith: Thanks for your comments. I don’t think anyone in this thread doesn’t think relationships have a value in relationships. My only concern, and it seems yours as well, is when the relationship is elevated over the oration of the Gospel.

I also have similar sentiments to you on open-air preaching.

By: Andy Carlson

Andy Carlson — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:45:24 +0000

I understood the first in the context of Doug’s follow up. Doug’s rejoinder is right on. I propose that if we build relationships based on 2 Timothy 2:23–26; 2 Peter 1:6–9 and Galatians 5:22–3 we will discern the proper “club” for any particular course. Further, that “if we focus on living in the light of the Christian message and explaining that message to non believers rahter than on sharpening our theological prowess” (from: The Dictionary of Early Christain Beliefs) (or cutting folks with with the “sword of truth”) , many will come to know Christ from our relationships in love with them.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:17:56 +0000

The point that is relevant and appropriate is this: Jesus and the disciples recorded in scripture spoke to their fellow men with relevance.

Often, today’s Christians and churches will speak using the same terms, the same phrases and it just doesn’t have the same meaning. How many of you heard sheep? How many of you fish for a living? How many of us live in an occupied country that serves the occupier almost as slaves? Not many.

Here’s a story an modern evangelist, I’ll call him Joe, relayed to me:
He sat down next to a construction worker on a public bench at lunch one day. Started up a conversation by asking the man what he did. The man replied that he was a Welder. Joe with interest asked what that meant getting more details about the man’s job. The man gave a description and Joe replied “that’s a lot like what Jesus does.” The man was a bit dumbfounded and asked Joe what he meant. Joe went on to relate how the man welds to pieces of metal together. Joining together parts that were separated. Joining them together so well that the joint is just as strong as the two pieces. Jesus does that with us. He joined God and man — who were separated — with a bond that can’t be broken.

That’s how we should relate. Not preach to the people we come across, but find ways to relate. Be interested in the people we talk to really care about them. Love them.

After all, Jesus was a good speaker, but I doubt thousands followed him around and listen to him for hours without food because of his eloquence. They were amazed at how he related to them — and cared for them.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:25:51 +0000

I also have similar sentiments to you on open-air preaching.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:40:08 +0000

By the way, I think open-air preaching is great, but I evangelists using such a method seem to be more interested in preaching the gospel loudly rather than contextually. I remember a fundamental baptist church "invading" the main street of my town, with megaphones and huge banners that said "Repent!" This is idiotic, I thought, because we aren't in a Jewish culture, nobody knows what repentance is---nor will they find out as they drive by. The rest of the group just stood awkwardly on street corners dressed up almost to the point of looking like Mormons. The whole situation screamed, "We're not like you and you don't really understand us, but become one of us anyway!"

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:34:11 +0000

This has been a tough issue for me. I disagree with the Vineyard church you mentioned, but it I also disagree that relationships are irrelevant in evangelism. Values are transmitted through relationships, which is why evangelism and discipleship is most effective at a relationship level. I don’t mind doing street witnessing, but if I did lead someone to Christ I would feel horrible just saying, “Seeya!” and not making any attempt at follow-up to make sure they get in a church. As for discipleship, I have no clue how that would NOT occur in a relationship. All of the people who impacted me the most were people with whom I had a relationship, and I think most people who echo this.

By: EvangelismCoach

EvangelismCoach — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:43:54 +0000

You wrote in your original post: "Peter and Paul both giving stirring Gospel presentations to the masses" When I look at Phillip and the eunuch, I see Phillip "beginning with that very passage of Scripture, he explained the good news about Jesus." Paul commented on the Athenians search for the unknown God and didn't even lay out his sermon from Old Testament stories. Each started at the place of the listener and moved them forward. Likewise Jesus started with "Repent and believe the good news." I think Doug, yourself, and I would all agree about many times relational evangelism being too much relationship and not enough evangelism. I haven't read the original context but am familiar with the illustration. I think Doug's answer is satisfactory and I agree with him. Chris W EvangelismCoach.org

By: Raffi Shahinian

Raffi Shahinian — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:32:56 +0000

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By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:58:27 +0000

The one thing I was originally leery about the analogy was that the Gospel was put as something you had to wait on before you can bring it out. The problem I see in “relational evangelism” (that is, the broader definition) is that you can too easily become more worried about losing a friendship than sharing the Gospel. I always find it’s easier to share, build a friendship on truth, and it always, always works out just fine.

I am very familiar with the relational aspect of ministry working both with Bridges International in college, and my excursions to the Muslim world. I defend that and contextualization very strongly on this site.