Evangelism

So, today we continued a discussion about evangelism. It was pretty amazing if I might say so myself.
Most of my life, I hated the idea of evangelism. I thought evangelism meant I had to be that guy on the street trying to convince people that Jesus is the way, when really thats not the case at all. Evangelism is just being able to go out and build relationships with people.
There were a couple of really good points today that I thought I would share with you guys.
FIrst of all, the idea that its not just someone who is called for evangelism. Anyone can do it.
A quote that was in my notes says "The chief agents in the expansion of Christianity appear not to have been those who made it a profession... but men and women who carried on their livelihood in the purely secular manner and spoke their faith to those they met in this natural fashion."
It's a lifestyle.
We also focused on the idea of culture. There are 4 different views of culture.
The first is that people think that Jesus is against culture. This is when we see Christians that stay in their Christian bubble social groups and never engage in society.
The second is Christ in culture. This is when we get so into the world that there is nothing distinct about our lives.
The third is that Christ is above culture meaning that man has 2 lives. The physical one and the spiritual one. This view is somewhat true but it doesn't show the idea that God can use a culture.
Which brings us to the next one... God can use a culture. This is when God uses the culture to reveal our personal depravity and need for salvation. The problem is that there is no room for God to transform culture.
The last view is that GOd transforms culture. This is how we need to think. God created the world good and though sin has corrupted it, it can be redeemed by God's power.
I love this idea. I think a lot of churches and individuals have forgotten about this concept... being in the world not of it and that God can redeem it.
One final thought is the idea that evangelism isn't just one certain way of presenting. There are essential things that need to be said but really you can change it to fit the individuals need. I love this quote that says " Do not bring us the Gospel as a potted plant. Bring us the seed of the Gospel and plant it in our soil."
So I just want to encourage those of you who might be like me, scared of rejection or viewed evangelism as this absurd thing. Really, its just sharing life with someone and building that relationship with someone who may have never had a true friend before.
Anyways, tomorrow we have Greg Mitchell speaking to us about transformations and getting healing. Im excited to hear what he has to say.

Good night everyone!