tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post111057588026276064..comments2023-07-15T02:18:38.947-07:00Comments on Contrarian Views: Contrarian View From the Pew: The Parable of the Lazy FarmerDavid M. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720778073616293157noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110913172001976292005-03-15T10:59:00.000-08:002005-03-15T10:59:00.000-08:00David,OK. I have never been quite sure of what yo...David,<BR/><BR/>OK. I have never been quite sure of what your focus was. I have been in churches where there were prizes for those who brought in the most folks ... usually a carrot for the children in Sunday School or VBS, but one pastor actually tried that with the adults ... he was quickly "educated" by the deacons that such was not the way evangelism should be handled. As a matter of fact, when that was tried with the adults, the number of people bringing friends to church dropped, because most people said that they would be embarrassed even by the hint that they might have brought someone in to win a prize.<BR/><BR/>So, I guess that, except for a few instances, my experience has been different than yours ... might have something to do with the respective areas of the country we live in.<BR/><BR/>BuzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110859651538724602005-03-14T20:07:00.000-08:002005-03-14T20:07:00.000-08:00David,The only model for evanelist I see in the wo...David,<BR/>The only model for evanelist I see in the word is Phillip. He ministered in power with healing, and deliverance from devils. He then sent for the apostles. My view is an evangelist is indued with power, and signs follow him. At this time I don't know of an apostle, maybe they should have a staff of pastors to train and nurish the new flocks.<BR/>Be Blessed, Petepete porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13723844160780051220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110842187128040972005-03-14T15:16:00.000-08:002005-03-14T15:16:00.000-08:00Hi Buz,I haven't been arguing against your underst...Hi Buz,<BR/><BR/>I haven't been arguing against your understanding of evangelism at all. I have been arguing against how evangelism is practiced in 95% of all of the churches I have ever visited or attended for any period of time. That is why I haven’t responded to some of your comments because I knew you were arguing for the way it should be, not the way it actually is. <BR/><BR/>I have been trying to describe evangelism as I have observed it. Either your experiences are different, or you are looking at evangelism, as it is practiced, with completely different eyes than me. I don’t think any of my ideas are original and I’m sure there are churches that do what I think should be done, but most do not. I also don’t believe it is a matter of obedience. Most Christians are doing their very best. Most leaders are trying their best, but they are focusing on the wrong aspects of evangelism. The focus on the harvest, and the focus on getting individuals to harvest, and the focus on filling pews as quickly as next Sunday, has hurt the overall cause.<BR/><BR/>I never advocated Mass evangelism. I did advocate an Evangelist on the church staff who is a specialist, but I never meant to imply this person is the only one responsible for evangelism. I think I have been quite clear from the beginning that I think evangelism is a team effort that involves everyone using their individual gifts for the corporate purpose of spreading Christianity. <BR/><BR/>I don’t think there is one best way to get it done. However, I am completely convinced that everyone doesn’t need to harvest, or even be concerned with the harvest, if they are not gifted to harvest. I am also convinced that phony friendliness for the sake of the harvest in no way to evangelize.David M. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15720778073616293157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110839180334211912005-03-14T14:26:00.000-08:002005-03-14T14:26:00.000-08:00David, again I am confused. What you seem to be s...David, again I am confused. What you seem to be saying in this thread, is EXACTLY what I have always understood personal evangelism to be about. And again, how could any specialized evangelist get to know your neighbor as well as you do?<BR/><BR/>If you are railing against door to door (Jehovah's Wittness) style evangelism, I have never thought that was a good idea. At the beginning of this continuing thread, you seem to be arguing against the concept that this particular post is promoting.<BR/><BR/>The saying is somewhat trite, but quite appropriate that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care". While Peter and Paul would go to cities and proclaim the Gospel, don't forget that that Paul stayed in Corinth for two years, at his own expense, "cultivating" the church he planted.<BR/><BR/>I think that the idea of "mass evangelism" where some "evangelist" comes to proclaim the Gospel and then leaves the church to try and follow up on all the people who came to the meetings is a recent (20th century) innovation. And I think that it was a method that sort of worked for a while. But I believe that it has run it's course and that we would be wise to revert to the older model of each person reach those in their personal sphere of influence.<BR/><BR/>BuzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110810956581054412005-03-14T06:35:00.000-08:002005-03-14T06:35:00.000-08:00Amen, David! I think true evangelism happens when ...Amen, David! I think true evangelism happens when we develop relationships. I love the "combine" analogy. Thanks also for putting under the Luke category!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08900874017388094590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110780443327740142005-03-13T22:07:00.000-08:002005-03-13T22:07:00.000-08:00I'm with you, brother. That last paragraph is a w...I'm with you, brother. That last paragraph is a winner.Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11953261789901565879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110731310332554572005-03-13T08:28:00.000-08:002005-03-13T08:28:00.000-08:00I like it! We all have different parts at differen...I like it! We all have different parts at different times, but it's really all about building relationships and sharing our lives and our stories. I think that "The Net" does this very well, but I tend to NOT care for using guides. I just say, stay close to Him, grow in Him, really know Him and then share that with others in a natural way while you are learning.IMOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01267268485213020773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110686054181489812005-03-12T19:54:00.000-08:002005-03-12T19:54:00.000-08:00Having been raised on a farm, I can confirm the wi...Having been raised on a farm, I can confirm the wisdom of your new application of this parable. I use a "From Seedtme to Harvest" as my own model for outreach now. For 20 years I gave Bible Studies and helped in Evangelistic Meetings but you're right--we only harvested the "ready" ones and lost many who may have needed much more care and love and nurture both before and after the combines did their job.<BR/>Truly soulwinning is a process--and sometimes a long one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-1110642920207020062005-03-12T07:55:00.000-08:002005-03-12T07:55:00.000-08:00David, Are you familiar with, "Evangelism Explos...David,<BR/> Are you familiar with, "Evangelism Explosion"? It is a witnessing program developed by Dr. D. James Kennedy that I learned about in '95. It addresses your long haul issues, I think, by emphasizing that evangelism is more than just the contact or conversion - but that Christ calls us not to make converts of all, but <EM>disciples</EM> of all.Hammertimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15497914450803388853noreply@blogger.com