Ken wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:51 pm
Ernie wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:52 pm
Ken wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 8:51 pm
I'm using the term overtly to refer to actually evangelizing out-loud through speech or by passing out pamphlets and tracts. That sort of thing. In other words, using words directly. Which is what I presume plain and Valerie were talking about.
I'm using the term covertly to imply the opposite which is demonstrating your Christianity through your deeds not your words. Setting a good example. That sort of thing. The sort of thing that groups such as the Amish tend to do.
Put another way, if you know that you are being evangelized by someone (a co-worker, someone knocking at your door, or preaching on the street). Then you were evangelized overtly. There is no mistaking it. When the Jehovah's Witness or Mormons come to my front door I understand what is going on. On the other hand, if you don't know that you were actually being evangelized. For example, if you just noticed a co-worker who is more generous or caring than others and you are impressed with his or her example. Then you might have been evangelized covertly.
I just made up those categories for the purpose of this discussion. They aren't something used elsewhere to my knowledge. There may be better descriptive words to get at my intended meaning. Maybe a better way of saying it is witnessing through deeds versus words. Or maybe you have something better.
I see your covert and overt options to be extremes on a scale. (a false dichotomy)
I think there are lots of points in-between those extremes.
Sure. No argument from me. Your story with the cookies is an example. The employees were on their lunch hour so technically not really work time. Most wage workers don’t get paid for lunch. It is their own time. And you can pretty much do whatever you want. I used to work out at the gym during lunch. Obviously something I wouldn’t do during work time. But someone pulling out their Bible and reading stories to co-workers while on the clock would probably be viewed differently.
In my job it is actually a very strict standard. I can put religious stuff in my own personal work space and many teachers do. I don’t need to pretend to be non-religious. But when I’m on the clock and dealing with a captive audience of students I had better not be evangelizing in any overt way. It is a pretty bright line.
But I’m also not the one here who asserted that evangelism needed to be about words.
I have some pretty narrow views on evangelizing so I'll share them here - YMMV
I agree that a good testimony of a Christian is to not steal employer time by evangelizing when you should be working. During coffee and lunch breaks, have at it.
Seems to me there are those who believe that they can shine their light by their good deeds and character that will somehow cause people to become Christians. I think Romans chapter 10 shoots down that idea with -
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
My observation is that those who see evangelism in a way that they do not use words (meaning do not share what it means to be saved) are not soul winners and have never personally helped someone in the moment they became Christians.
The base requirement to being saved is a heart belief in what Jesus did to saves us from our sins. When that belief is heart accepted, this is the beginning of a whole new life because the Holy Spirit then comes to live within the new believer. When church groups wander from this fundamental of Christianity in their evangelism they may produce church members but not Christ followers.
If a church in their evangelism is not seeing new converts in a fairly steady pace, I think they need to take another look at what they understand evangelism is to produce.