TractHorn
The other day my wife and I were walking downtown in preparation for a movie that we were planning on seeing. As I looked down the sidewalk, I noticed a cross that stood about 4 feet high and immediately I thought, “I need to cross the street”. I knew if we didn’t we would be hounded with people handing out tracts (little cards with bible stuff on them). We continued walking and as we approached this group of people, we were stopped and they gave us one of these cards. To be honest, I didn’t want to take it. I felt like I was back in the 80’s (not that I really remember much). I found it very hard to take one of these tracts even when I am a Christian. I started thinking about how a person who isn’t a Christian would feel if they were approached by the same group of people telling them that they need to be saved and that they are going to hell. In a way, it is a form of communication for some people, but for most people it will push them away more. It will etch into their brains a view of Christians that says that we are crazy or weird, but in a negative sense. I remember seeing a Rob Bell video call bullhorn, and in it he talked about a guy who stands on the street corner with one of those megaphones telling people they need to repent or their going to hell. At the end of this video Rob Bell is asking for this guy and everyone else to stop, because it is only doing harm. I Agree.
Labels: Rob Bell
posted by Jabin Postal at 12:01 PM
10 Comments:
You know what I do?
I take as many as I can so they run out and stop. Keep asking them for more and more and then toss 'em.
Everyone needs to do their part in keeping pedophiles out of kindergardens, perverts out of girls bathrooms, and wingnut Christians off the streets.
I would have asked them what good they were trying to accomplish. And then tried to explain how that wouldn't help anyone.
Jer that made me laugh out loud like an LOL type laugh... steve what do you think would be the reaction you would get from what you suggested?
I don't know... I would only suggest a new approach, like one that would solely instill love, and not pour fear.
So, I don't know what would happen. People would react differently, but I'd hope and pray for the best.
A question with it though, is the whole thing worth it(to do what me and andrea saw) if one person comes to christ, or would it be better for them not to do it and not have people look down on christians and have more people come to christ?
It's the Spirit that draws and enables people to come to Jesus. We are only required to be obedient. Holy Spirit knows what someone needs and when to give it to them. Are we listening? Are we willing to even look foolish in our obedience? I rarely give out tracks. I have when I believed it was what I was supposed to do. The "YOUR GOING TO HELL TRACKS" are lacking a bit.(Incert sarcastic tone) It's like telling someone they're stupid to get them to buy your product. They may be stupid but you can say it in a way they can receive it. You can tell somebody that they are fat and ugly and their breathe stinks if you say it in the right way. We have opportunity to demonstrate what Jesus is like and introduce others to this relationship that changes lives. Reading material is fine but I believe people are hungry for relationships of substance.
Personally, I think that's way over the top. People have a bad impression of the church as it is, and the results of an "outreach" like the one you've described probably don't justify all the effort put into it (which sounds really callous). I do, however, agree with Brent, and if God is leading you in a specific means of evangelism then you need to obey. You may not know the results of some crazy stunt this side of eternity, and Jesus did some pretty nuts stuff himself. He was crucified though....is it pride or fear that stops us from evangelizing like mad? Andrea
Good point. although what if you are just doing it becuase you are following friends who are doing it, or doing it without praying who to give the material to. does everyone need to get one, or does it need to be a prayerfully selected person or persons? by handing such material out without praying who to give it to, will it draw those people further away?
I see all your Holier than Thou attidudes here. Amazing! Are you saying, Jeremy, that handing out tracts is as bad as pedophils? I know several people that have been converted to the JW faith by this means. I have seen Budists, Muslims, and others use this same method, and they tell me they win converts. Get off your high horse and minister they way God has called you to do, and remember it takes all kinds to make the world go around.
I totally seen that rob bell video too..it was kinda a little scary with the megaphones and all. Recently Jehovah Witnesses came to my door and they were handing out invitations to celebrate Jesus birth for Easter you know. I always open the door so that I can freak them out! I said to them, "actually we are all holy spirit filled, born again christians in this household" hallejuah this and that and they ran away pretty fast.
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