plain wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:47 pm
temporal1 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 3:37 pm
Josh wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:07 pm I wasn't aware plain's evangelisation scope was limited to canned conversations or sermons.
It may have been, then it took a good turn and expanded. plain hasn’t commented, yay or nay.
It's not limited. As I did write, we need many different kinds of evangelisation, and, I think, we need to (also) use words. Not towards customers, clients, and subordinates. But when we have a chance, when it is "wisely" to say something, to a colleague, friend, someone we meet etc.
Now some posts have been about what did not work.
But try to share what has worked for your church and for you.
temporal1 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 3:37 pmi’m interested in learning more about plain’s background and experience in Sweden.
it might help guide responses.
I've tried to evangelize for many years. Trying to talk about prayer answers, the gospel, the bible. I also tried to get the church to become more active in evangelism. We tried, me and some others, that we gonna stand on the square and talk about Jesus, one day biweekly. We had a start-up meeting in the church, there were a good amount of people that wanted to do this, but after we did start, many of those never did show up. We did it for a couple of years, but people did leave one by one, and soon we were so few that it was the same few people each time. And after some time it was hard to make it. We had a concept I did like, a "small tent", something to eat, new testaments to give out, tables to sit at. But people in the church did prioritize to be home or do other things. And sermons and church concerts etc was more important. But also less and less people did show up on these. I was, and am, longing for a church that has evangelism as a top priority. Today I'm not going to church at all, and has not been to over a year. And nearly no one has called or said anything. The church did felt dead. See if I found something else. Or maybe I'm to different to belong in a church.
Thank you, plain. i’m so glad you found this forum.
It’s very possible you might find some tangible help here, i suggest you pray for the Holy Spirit to guide+protect you on your journey, and, pray for God’s will in everything you do and say. That sort of prayer helped me get through some (otherwise) rough times in my life, and helps me today, decades on. There are excellent, godly people present on this forum, i’m sure praying for you, whether they write their thoughts out online or not.
(i believe) God answers all prayers, not always as we want or understand, but in His way, His time.
His will, not ours.
i would like to say i’m surprised at your church experience. i’m so sorry, i’m not.
in the U.S., we get so little news of/from other countries! even our close neighbors, Canada+Mexico! i first noticed decades ago when i was very young. The internet has helped, as far as general news, not superb! - and, personal interactions, like this forum, offer ways for individuals to interact. Folks who would not otherwise meet or speak.
From the little i’ve read about Sweden and other European countries, Christianity is not having great times.
Not to intrude, i have another question.
How did you happen to find your path? i believe everything you descibe about what you’re experiencing, it could happen in the U.S., what prompted you to want to pursue evangelism?
One thing on which i don’t agree:
you’re NOT too different to belong to Jesus’ church! (i believe) you belong, whether you know it or not, whether you have a building or not.
Be encouraged. God sees all, He knows our hearts. If you are 1 in 1 thousand, He knows who you are, where you are.
i’m looking forward to reading more from you. Welcome to MN.
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i apologize about adding line spacing, etc.
not meant to “correct” - my vision isn’t great, my reading is slow. i add spaces and bold to help me with vision+reading.
i’ve always been a slow reader. i try to compensate by reading carefully, and repeatedly. that habit helps, a lot!
it’s extra work, but, i find it’s worth it. to try to understand what is written.