This is the coward’s way out. And living a life of example? Sharing a kind word or hug? Hello, I hope so. Even the unsaved do that. I’m talking about really witnessing. Seriously, let’s get down to business, witnessing.
Really, what the Army is all about and why we belong witnessing. I’m talking about revival and renewal. Words we use but don’t see in action. I’m talking about seeing people (and excuse me Carmen) radically saved. As a business major I have to save the cost/benefit is poor. Buildings, utilities, instruments, uniforms, staff, DHQ, THQ, NHQ...we have become a monolith unto ourselves. Not to say none of those things are necessary. Only to say perhaps we should realize our maintenance exceeds our purpose, at least for now !
RESULTS OF MY RECENT SURVEY - QUESTIONAIRE
My sampling was small but the results follow.
Former Salvationist, non officer - I witnessed (or tried to) with a lady at work last Dec or Jan...she's Jewish, and her son and brother both had cancer. Anyway, as I spoke with her, I learned she converted from Christianity to Judaism! (So what do you say to that??)
Actually, it seems that when one starts talking about religion or spiritual things at work, a lot of people are Christians, and are supportive & receptive. A lot of times we're talking about someone dying, or death, and it leads to a more spiritual conversation.
M’s nephew, J, has been living with us since Aug. He came down to help M with his work. This young man was raised with no moral or spiritual foundation whatsoever. So M and I have both witnessed to him, and M is now having a Bible study with him. But like M C used to say, "yardline by yardline."
I've also witnessed to a casual acquaintance I know from S. I wrote something to her via email, and she was receptive.
M witnessed to a truck driver several months ago. Kinda gave him the basic gospel message. Then when he met him a couple months later, the guy was attending church and carrying the Bible. So while M didn't lead him to Christ, there was definitely a seed that was planted, watered and grew!
Former Salvationist, non officer - no reply.
Current Salvationist, TSA employee, former officer - I was so honored about 3 months ago to lead one of my employees to Christ at A’s.
Current Salvationist, TSA employee, former officer - Led to Christ ... last April, Helped someone make a decision to actually walk the talk and start working on growth - a few weeks ago.
Witness outside the SA or Family ... I like to think in small ways often ...
Overtly to a waitress at A's not all that long ago; maybe 3 month, and in less overt ways and more a testimony to the life and joy in me - in the way I treat fellow employees (most not SA) and the very few people I see outside of work and the corps daily ... of course there are also the times I really fail at that - mostly when I am driving!
Current Salvationist, active officer – no reply.
Current Salvationist, active officer – no reply.
Current Salvationist, active officer - You have to know that The Army is my life and while I do talk to people outside of "The Army" all the time, I can't say that I've led someone to Christ outside of Army circles.
Of course, we never know what a kind word or a hug or our example will do for someone, only God knows the outcome.
Current Salvationist, active officer - Her name is J....she was our waitress at a place we ate. Still discipling her.
Current Salvationist, active officer – Hey! I was able to lead a few people to Christ in A, but that would be considered inside the Army. It's funny...C and I set a goal of trying to develop relationships with our neighbors to share Christ with them...but before we got past "hello...my name is..." they both moved! We got new neighbors on both sides, and then WE moved!
I'm proud of K, though. (our youngest...she's 15) She's the real witness in the family. She's made new friends here and openly shares her faith with them!.
Current Salvationist, TSA employee, non officer: Interesting question. If you mean when is the last time I specifically prayed the sinner's prayer with someone and they gave their life to Christ for the first time, then I have to say I don't know that I've ever had that experience with an adult. My ministry over the years has pretty much been with children and teens, although I have been leading a women's Bible Study for the last 2 years.
I do have many opportunities to pray with co-workers, but mostly that is when they are going through trials. Most of them have already made a profession of faith.
I'm currently doing a Bible study on the book of Acts and have been reading about the excitement and enthusiasm of the early church which lead to the gospel quickly spreading. It has certainly given me much food for thought
Former OfficeEmail contact supplied on request.
2 comments:
Interesting responses.
What do we mean by leading someone to Christ?
Do we / should we really expect everyone to come to faith in the same way?
A little part of the beginning got cut off. What I had asked my friends was when was the last time you actually led someone to Christ? Or shared a witness outside of Army or family circles? I specified outside Army/family because in my own experience 99.9% of those people are already saved. I'm not talking about bolstering the troops. That's a given as a member of the community. I'm not talking about leaving tracts...article continues.
My point is not that we should expect everyone to come to faith in the same way but questioning how and if, really, are we doing anything but maintaining ourselves and our image without much fishing and catching. It seems we do a lot of planning and executing to keep what we have but not so much to get, pardon the phrase, new blood into the hall because we, officers, soldiers, etc, are busy, busy, busy being about the business of being about the business.
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