Sharing Your Faith Daily (03/07)
Below is the script from the online chat Sharing Your Faith Daily, hosted by Rev. Mike Hintz on 3/20/07. Mike is the administrator for WELS Commission on Evangelism. Prior to serving in this position, he served as a parish pastor in Kenosha, WI and South Bend, IN, and as a missionary to Malawi, Africa. Mike and his wife Julie live in Wauwatosa, WI and are members at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Brookfield, WI.
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 7:59:21 PM)
Welcome all! Tonight's chat host is Pastor
All, I'm looking forward to tonight's chat
Bigguy (Mar 20, 2007 8:00:16 PM)
me 2 im flabber gasted
Sharing our faith is important because Jesus has given us this privilege
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:00:45 PM)
Mike, I'll just get it started by asking what is the recommended way we should share our faith?
seesa (Mar 20, 2007 8:00:50 PM)
I find I have the most trouble sharing my faith with my own friends, who go to my Christian school
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:00:59 PM)
seesa, i would agree
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:01:10 PM)
i have lots of christian friends who do stupid stuff sometimes
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:01:16 PM)
and i don't know how to approach them about it
Adam, the way to share your faith is from your heart. Tell people what you know about Jesus and what he means to you for your life
seesa (Mar 20, 2007 8:01:57 PM)
me too, right now my friend is really doing stupid stuff, she ran away a week ago, has her mom all in a bundle. She is home now , but still is a mess
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:02:02 PM)
seesa and yoda, I'm with you there. I think it's so important not to overlook your friends, yet they need it just as much
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:02:33 PM)
FACT: In a recent survey of
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:02:48 PM)
mike, how do you "corner" a friend on their sin without making them feel cornered?
Bigguy (Mar 20, 2007 8:02:48 PM)
that is very true
Sharing faith with friends is natural because we like to tell them other bits of good news in our lives. The best news we have is about Jesus.
Abby (Mar 20, 2007 8:02:59 PM)
Pastor- how can we share our faith with someone who has chosen to be gay. i am asking this because of what has been in the news about them talking to the college kids
Yoda, remember to include yourself when you talk about sin.
Let other people know that you too need Jesus as your Savior
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:04:11 PM)
What are some good ways to get out in the community and meet your neighbors? Any recommendations?
Adam, volunteer for organizations.
seesa (Mar 20, 2007 8:05:03 PM)
I would say, just got out there... take walks, be visible and always carry a smile
Showing your love for people by helping them is an important step for sharing our faith
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:05:26 PM)
mike, when thinking about sharing your faith, should getting to know people first come ahead of immediately sharing the gospel with them?
Yoda, very much so.
Relationships are very important for sharing Jesus.
crazyman (Mar 20, 2007 8:06:31 PM)
HI everyone
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:06:35 PM)
hi crazyman
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:06:37 PM)
welcome
Hi crasyman
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:06:45 PM)
FACT: In a recent survey of WELS teens, 61% said they were hesitant or don’t speak to their friends about their faith in God; 34% said they were hesitant or don’t speak to their family about their faith in God; and 85% said they were hesitant or don’t speak to strangers about their faith in God.
crazyman (Mar 20, 2007 8:06:45 PM)
thanks
Abby (Mar 20, 2007 8:06:59 PM)
Does
seesa (Mar 20, 2007 8:07:00 PM)
Yoda, I have heard of several Pastors who go and meet people in bars and other strange places just to get to know them.
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:07:59 PM)
mike, is their "strength in numbers" when witnessing or does one-on-one seem to be more effective?
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:08:03 PM)
Pastor Hintz, your articles in Forward in Christ on friendship evangelism were very helpful
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:08:40 PM)
The best thing I've ever done as far as evangelism was to start thinking about the spiritual well-being of every single person I come into contact with.
Sorry, for some reason I lost connection. I'm back.
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:09:15 PM)
adam, so for you evangelism is a mindset rather than an activity
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:09:17 PM)
?
for help with sharing your faith, check out the evangelism web site wels.net/evangelism. We have a collection for helps.
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:10:37 PM)
yoda--I'd say both. Keeping it in mind leads to the activity of building relationships and then sharing my faith
seesa (Mar 20, 2007 8:10:43 PM)
I dont think he ment it quite like it sounds, but I do too, think
What are some of the fears you have about telling others about Jesus
crazyman (Mar 20, 2007 8:10:57 PM)
ya but what if u dont think u are ready or know enough to spread the word
seesa (Mar 20, 2007 8:11:16 PM)
about the spiritual aspects of those I meet.
joyce (Mar 20, 2007 8:11:39 PM)
i have found that once you get talking you are amazed at how much you do know because God is there helping you
seesa (Mar 20, 2007 8:12:08 PM)
For me a fear is talking too much about myself and my faith
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:12:10 PM)
we have a Bring a Friend Sunday this sunday at church.
Crazyman, I tell people that they can use the Apostle's creed as an outline. this helps us organize what we know
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:12:43 PM)
Fact: In a recent survey of
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:12:50 PM)
crazyman--the main thing to remember is salvation through Jesus. Beyond this you can stay in God's Word to benefit your own faith and sharing your faith
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:12:56 PM)
deb, do you canvas or mail postcards, or is it simply word of mouth for Bring a Friend Sunday?
Keep in mind that an important part is first carefully listening to people.
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:13:25 PM)
sorry, what does canvas mean?
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:13:43 PM)
MIke, any advice about breaking through the typical American mindset--postmodern, materialistic...
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:13:44 PM)
word of mouth - and we put an invitation page on our website so people could email invites to others. I have never asked many people before, but so far I've asked 4 and amazingly they all said yes
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:13:47 PM)
sam, go door-to-door and handout flyers or knock on doors and introduce yourself and the church
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:14:15 PM)
deb, that's wonderful!
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:14:20 PM)
thank you yoda. do you mean like the mormons and jehova witnes?
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:14:30 PM)
sam, not exactly
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:14:31 PM)
deb--can you point us to the Web site to see a sample of the e-invite?
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:14:47 PM)
sam, it's not an attempt to "convert" somebody on the spot
crazyman (Mar 20, 2007 8:14:56 PM)
bye g2g
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:15:11 PM)
it's just a friendly gesture to let people know you and your church are there
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:15:21 PM)
http://www.stjohnsde.org/friends.htm
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:15:35 PM)
there is also a link on the home page under special events.
I'm happy to hear about the Friendship Sunday
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:15:54 PM)
somehow you don't have to be as brave, sending an email, i think!
I recently read that over 90% of unchurched people would consider accepting an invitation to a Christian worship service or event
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:16:54 PM)
then if you're not trying to convert, what are you trying to do?
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:16:57 PM)
yes Lee Strobel says that
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:17:48 PM)
yeah, these 2 guys I asked always talked about having a leisurely Sunday breakfast and doing homework together- so I thought they weren't going somewhere else to church. And they said they'd come to ours for this Sunday
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:18:15 PM)
deb u in college?
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:18:16 PM)
sam, usually it's to find out if people have a church they belong to. if they don't, then they're aware you exist and you can invite them to check out your church sometime
that's great. Now keep praying that the Word of God will work in their hearts.
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:18:48 PM)
i work at a college
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:18:52 PM)
mike, on the subject of canvasing, how effective do you think that is these days??
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:19:01 PM)
glad u invited them
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:19:26 PM)
oh. don't people get irritated by coming to the door?
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:19:28 PM)
thanks timplan - pls pray for them if you can!
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:19:39 PM)
sam - some do, some don't
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:19:41 PM)
will do
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:19:49 PM)
i've canvassed before and experience both
Many churches still benefit from canvasing. It helps them learn about the people their community so that they can develop a ministry program for their community
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:20:38 PM)
our church has an Easter Egg hunt
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:20:47 PM)
sam, some people appreciate the visit mightily (once I was at a person's door for a half hour)
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:20:52 PM)
DID YOU KNOW? WhatAboutJesus.com is a Web site you can refer your friends to for life’s many questions and an introduction to Jesus’ answers! www.whataboutjesus.com
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:21:01 PM)
others treat you like a salesman and practically threaten to call the police
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:21:21 PM)
timplan- do you have a lesson with that or just the hunt and invite them back?
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:21:32 PM)
we have 2 stations
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:21:43 PM)
really? i suppose if they are lonly or sad.
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:21:57 PM)
one to decorate easter bags- the other they hear the Easter story
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:22:12 PM)
fellowship with dads and moms afterwards
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:22:18 PM)
lots of people come
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:22:19 PM)
sam, or some just really like the spiritual talk. one guy I talked to once wasn't on the same page with me spiritually and biblically, but we both enjoyed the chance to learn from each other
Abby (Mar 20, 2007 8:22:36 PM)
What is someone leaves the church how do you help get them back
Events at church give you a reason for inviting people so that you can bring them into contact with God's Word. That's the whole purpose to allow the Holy Spirit to begin working in their hearts through the Word.
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:22:43 PM)
that sounds really neat, timplan. We haven't tried that. We've done Christmas VBS but just our own kids came
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:23:01 PM)
we really encourage people to bring friends
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:23:07 PM)
yoda. some of my friends don't like to go to church. sometimes i don't either. but I know i should.
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:23:17 PM)
Done CFK's too....told members they could only come if they
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:23:20 PM)
brought someone
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:23:32 PM)
mike, what role does the worship service itself play in evangelism?
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:24:16 PM)
in Corinthians Paul says worship in a way that unbelievers understand
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:24:39 PM)
but worship and evangelism are two separate things
Yoda, God gives us his Word in the service and with that word not only members are edified, but those who are visiting also hear it
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:25:30 PM)
and only He can make dead people alive again
by the power of the Word, God works faith and strengthens it in people's hearts.
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:26:56 PM)
Mike, has WhatAboutJesus been pretty effective for reaching out?
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:27:53 PM)
FACT: Many people express they feel “inadequate” or that they “don’t know enough” as reasons for not talking about God, the Bible, and faith with others. Two great resources are This We Believe and Prepared to Answer. These books are available from Northwestern Publishing House at NPH.net.
Adam, we are thrilled that about 30.000 people visit WAJ.com a month. And we get e-mails all the time from people who are seeking more information
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:28:16 PM)
we have a power hour program - participants who like it are starting to invite friends. About half of the people are not from our church
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:28:17 PM)
Wow, that's great.
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:28:48 PM)
what do you do in the power hour pgm - answer questions?
One way for you to use WAJ.com is tell your friends about it. Many people feel more comfortable learning about Jesus in this way. they don't feel pressured.
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:29:27 PM)
Hey, does everyone know about the Church Locator at www.wels.net? It's another way to point people to a church near them--or maybe they're looking for a school, preschool, or daycare.
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:29:37 PM)
preschoolers and parents come...bible story, music time, craft time, then parents go talk about parenting...while the kids have a snack
Abby (Mar 20, 2007 8:29:41 PM)
What do you feel is the best place to send them to on WAJ?
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:29:52 PM)
sort of like preschool with your parents
Abby (Mar 20, 2007 8:29:56 PM)
or a section that would be best to send them to
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:30:17 PM)
mike, are there any programs specifically designed for teens to help them share their faith?
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:30:33 PM)
timplan- you have lots of good pgms to share!
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:30:34 PM)
so what do you say to people that don't go to church?
Many people have questions about God. Send them to "Questioning God" section. That's a good place to start.
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:30:45 PM)
how do you start?
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:31:43 PM)
Mike, what's a good book of the Bible to have people start in?
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:32:08 PM)
everyone's always told me John - is that what you'd say?
Sam, share with them what church means to you, how it helps you in your everyday life.
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:32:44 PM)
i think its hard t start talking about it.
Adam, I suggest that you have them start with one of the Gospels -- so that they read the life of Jesus.
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:33:19 PM)
DID YOU KNOW? WELS Commission on Evangelism has many Web resources to assist anyone with personal Evangelism. Visit http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2601&collectionID=648 to view these resources.
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:33:50 PM)
welcome russ and linda
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:33:52 PM)
Everyone, a cool Web site by a former pastor and endoresed by current pastors is www.andrewplan.net. It's friendship evangelism leading toward inviting people to a Bible Information Class. Interesting to read through.
Sam, yes it is. Ask God to help you. He will answer your prepare, and then prepare yourself. See 1 Peter 3:15
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:35:06 PM)
maybe start sharing more about Jesus and what he means to you, vs. what church means to you. Then people may naturally ask where do you go to church and you can say why, etc
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:35:54 PM)
thanks
Abby (Mar 20, 2007 8:36:21 PM)
What could I said to a person who said they would like to start learning about faith but do not have time to get to church or cant make it to church
deb, good point. Many people are put off by church because they see it like a "club" where they are not a part. But they are more interested to know what Jesus means for their lives.
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:36:48 PM)
I like Mike's point about praying. Ask God to give you the opportunities, the courage. "Ask and it will be given to you."
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:37:25 PM)
abby, maybe start by inviting them to an activity at church with you other than sunday morning worship
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:38:02 PM)
abby--keep taking advantage of simply sharing your faith personally and maybe the spark of interest will grow
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:38:04 PM)
abby, maybe you 2 could get together and start reading a Gospel
Abby (Mar 20, 2007 8:38:44 PM)
thanks all for the ideas
joyce (Mar 20, 2007 8:38:53 PM)
Abby why don't you just teach them about your faith. Forget about going to church go to lunch or for a walk and just talk about your faith, what you believe, ask them if they have questions, ask them some questions. Use the universe. Then as they feel comfortable then invite them to church .
Sometimes it can take a long time for a person to become more interested. Be patient, but also persistent.
timplan (Mar 20, 2007 8:40:11 PM)
Blessings on your witnesseing....late
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:40:14 PM)
and if we can really love our neighbor as ourself, that will look awfully different from the rest of the world...
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:40:20 PM)
Has anyone ever found good ways to witness online?
joyce (Mar 20, 2007 8:40:30 PM)
I know of a guy who is always asking me questions in order to trip me up. When he gets close to where he might believe he stops, then months later he is back. Someday he will come to God, I might not see it but he will.
Abby (Mar 20, 2007 8:41:03 PM)
Adam- Parents Crosslink has great chats-- if the person you are whitnessing to has children invite them to come out and chat
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:41:39 PM)
DID YOU KNOW? An entire section of WELS Q&A is dedicated to questions and Biblical answers about sharing your faith. Visit http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1519&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=37&limit=20&offset=0 to see what others are asking…
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:41:49 PM)
THanks, Abby
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:41:52 PM)
joyce, you know the pharisees kept trying to trip Jesus up. Maybe you can encourage him to go to the source and read Luke or another Gospel.
there is a simple outline that I remember: Jesus lived for us (a perfect life in our place); Jesus died for us (to take away our sins); Jesus rose (to assure us of his victory over death)
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:42:35 PM)
when you don't know a lot about religion its hard to understand everything that you are all ltalking about
joyce (Mar 20, 2007 8:42:39 PM)
he isn't there yet. I must take it slow and be patient with him. He won't read the Bible or come to church.
joyce (Mar 20, 2007 8:43:26 PM)
don't talk religion talk what you believe and know. Let the Holy Spirit move you
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:44:05 PM)
sam, do you mean in this chat or when witnessing to someone else?
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:44:25 PM)
both
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:44:30 PM)
and pray for him alot joyce- I will too
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:44:36 PM)
Thanks, Mike
Another way to share your faith that you might find easy is to tell a Bible story. People love to listen to stories. You can use Bible stories that you know to tell people about the important facts of salvation
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:45:00 PM)
probably people do not know how to pray even
joyce (Mar 20, 2007 8:45:29 PM)
praying is just talking to your father (Heavenly)
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:46:06 PM)
that's what I do, and He knows me better than I know myself - and stil loves me.
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:46:15 PM)
now that is amazing!
Pray specifically and regularly for someone you know.
sam (Mar 20, 2007 8:46:23 PM)
yoda ok
Also pray "dangerously" that is: God, use me to witness to that person.
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:47:38 PM)
Mike, can you mention FRAN for maybe people who haven't heard of it--what is the FRAN method of evangelism?
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:47:50 PM)
DID YOU KNOW? Many people express they feel “inadequate” or that they “don’t know enough” as reasons for not talking about God, the Bible, and faith with others. Two great resources are This We Believe and Prepared to Answer. These books are available from Northwestern Publishing House at www.nph.net.
joyce (Mar 20, 2007 8:48:16 PM)
and witnessing is just talking. Talk like you were talking sports or clothes or anything. Make it simple, Like you see the sky and say wow didn't God make a beautiful sky today? Then tell the story of creation.
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:48:18 PM)
Prepared to Answer is a great book. There is also More Prepared to Answer, but haven't read it yet
FRAN is an acronymn that stands for Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, and Neighbors
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:48:41 PM)
both are really good
FRAN evangelism is reaching people that we know with the message of Jesus.
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:50:41 PM)
FRAN is helpful because a lot of times you are thinking "I've got to go door to door"--no, just look at your own family. Everybody's got a family member who could use some encouragement and we're comfortable with these people
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:52:03 PM)
Anyone want to share some success stories?
Always remember the promise of Jesus that he is with us always. This is a comforting promise when we are struggling to tell others about him.
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:53:23 PM)
GET INVOLVED: WELS Kingdom Workers Faith in Action provides opportunities for lay workers, including teens, to participate in service/outreach activities all over the
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:54:10 PM)
adam, i find it successful anytime i can comfortably share my faith
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:54:24 PM)
if the Holy Spirit produces results from that sharing, even better!
God promises that he will not let his word return empty (Isaiah 55:11).
cat56 (Mar 20, 2007 8:55:35 PM)
how much of the Bible do you really have to know to evangelize?
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:56:18 PM)
cat56, how about John 3:16
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:56:40 PM)
deb, that'll about do it
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:56:52 PM)
For anyone older than 18 who would like to share their faith as a pen pal, I highly recommend getting involved with
cat56 (Mar 20, 2007 8:57:19 PM)
ok that is the only one i can think of but i am sure there are more.
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 8:58:51 PM)
Thank you all and especially Pastor Hintz for hosting tonight's chat!
Adam (Mar 20, 2007 8:59:00 PM)
Thanks!
deb (Mar 20, 2007 8:59:11 PM)
thanks everyone~
God bless all of you
yoda (Mar 20, 2007 8:59:32 PM)
you too pastor
cat56 (Mar 20, 2007 8:59:47 PM)
every one take care
chatmaster (Mar 20, 2007 9:00:06 PM)
The chat room is now closing. God bless all... and see you NEXT TUESDAY for our next chat http://www.wels.net/jump/chat