“One thing that Christians and non-Christians have in common is that they are both very uncomfortable with evangelism.” I am not sure who gets credit for that quote, but it is a good one.

Most of my experience with evangelism confirms that notion. For me, it has often been awkward and unfruitful. That was just my end of it! Think about how uncomfortable my “targets” must have felt. My experience over the past year and half, living an Outflow life and practicing Servant Evangelism has created such a drastic shift in that paradigm that I cannot help but get excited about sharing it. It is a radically different view of everything – following Jesus, people who do not yet follow Jesus, church, the Gospel, evangelism, everything!

At the end of Conspiracy of Kindness, by Steve Sjogren, there is a list of 29 thoughts about evangelism. The book is fantastic but really, it is worth the cover price just to get this list. The items outline the base knowledge and expectations that a person carries into any attempt at evangelism. Imagine reading the list, learning each principle and then saying, “Okay, now that I’m thinking straight on this, I can start reaching people.” Does that make sense?

For example, point #20 is:

Because of irrational fears, the average evangelical Christian has no plans to participate actively in evangelism.

That is true, isn’t it? We are not exactly sure how it will happen, but we are sure that if we were to start talking to people about Jesus it would be painful and embarrassing. Many of us have anecdotal evidence to advance those fears. Those fears drive us deeper and deeper into a Christian culture that does not open itself to outsiders. That is exactly what I have done for many years of my Christian existence. I always made myself feel better by thinking that I would share my faith with someone if God “brought someone across my path.” If I hope anything can be accomplished in the whole realm of Christiandom, in my lifetime it is that we completely rid the universe of that stupid phrase, “bring someone across my path!” That thinking and praying is an enemy of the Great Commission. Jesus says, “Go…!” In other words, get yourself onto their path.

Another point on the list at the end of Conspiracy of Kindness is #7:

Church life, spent in the presence of Christians only, produces saints who are neither friendly nor openhearted to outsiders.

Yikes! I have to accept responsibility for that one too. Without even realizing it or wanting it, I used to have an aura of religion about me that kept people at a distance. Not too long ago, I put myself on a mission to read and reread the words of Jesus. I was not even out of Matthew before I noticed that Jesus seemed to relate the easiest with the types of people that I had the hardest time being around. I have written about some of my “Pharisee Attitudes” already.

A big shift in my thinking came as I began to change what I valued and measured when it comes to evangelism. If you define evangelism, presenting the Gospel to the point that a person either makes a commit to Jesus or begins attending your church then, yes. It is intimidating and it is very difficult to pull off within the context of your daily life. If I have to wait for opportunities to present the Gospel and actually walk someone through the process of conversion in order to get involved in evangelism, I won’t be able to do it very often at all. How often is the setting actually right for that level of conversation and interaction with people? I would say next to never if we are talking about strangers or folks we barely know. If I change what I am looking for in my approach to evangelism, all kinds of new doors and opportunities open to me.

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 “After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.” (New Living Translation)

I have been using this passage to renew my thinking about evangelism. Evangelism occurs within a process. Paul compares it to the growth of a plant – from seed planting, to watering and nurturing, ultimately to the growth of fruit. If only God makes it grow, then why should I worry about the particular place in the process I might hold? After all, who is Scott? Just get involved in some way! When I am not necessarily looking to take a person from zero to fully committed to Jesus, the stress melts away and I am free to get involved in the process.

My value and measurement for evangelism is not just about leading people to the point of “praying the prayer.” Now, I am just interested in scattering the seeds. The only way to get a harvest is to reap the fruit of the planted seeds. Sometimes, I discover that seeds have already been planted and my role is to water what is starting to grow. There have even been times of seemingly instant fruit – times that, I come along at the very end of this long process within a person’s life. My act of service or kindness is that last touch as God gives the increase.

If I look for simple ways to fling the seeds of God’s love and grace, there is never a shortage of opportunity.