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We're called to be ambassadors for Christ. Here's an eight-point stategy we can use.
1. Lighten up. Your job is to be a messenger who shares the Good News, not a scold who puts people off. The Holy Spirit does the heavy lifting: ultimately it’s the Spirit’s job to open minds and then to convict people’s hearts. We should take advantage of opportunities - which we can help create - in fulfilling our mission.
2. Pick your spot. Wait for an opportunity to have a quiet conversation. It may be over a cup of coffee, during a time when you’re traveling, or another informal setting There are usually lulls in conversation when you could ask, “What do you think about spiritual things?”
3. Listen. Humans innately know there’s something going on and everyone has an opinion. Secular people dismiss Christianity and are stuck with other options: New Age nostrums like pyramid power or magic crystals, self-improvement gurus with manufactured theories, or belief in aliens (think of the crop circle mania). Some will have “their own” faith. Listen and you’ll learn some interesting and amusing things. Ask them why they believe what they do – and if they profess not to believe in anything, ask “why not?” Most people haven’t thought deeply about this and you may be surprised at how shallow their “beliefs” are.
4. Ask permission. When they’re done, don’t dispute them but ask if it’s OK if you explained what you believe. Once you’ve got their permission you’re free to discuss Christianity without imposing it with a heavy hand. If they don’t offer it, don’t violate their decision. They’ve demonstrated a boorish, unfair closed-mindedness that you probably won’t penetrate anyway.
5. Share your story. If they give you permission, talk about yourself and your personal faith experience. This has two advantages: (1) People like stories and (2) since it’s about you it can’t be disputed. Mention how your life has changed and gets better as you understand more. If you’ve had a miracle happen to you, talk about it. If you were ever skeptical about Jesus tell them why – and then tell them how you overcame it.
6. Share your faith. Since the Bible is the source of Christian teaching you may explain how specific lessons have affected you (staying out of debt, not being envious, strengthening your marriage, helping you through an illness or death, etc.). Mention that the promise of eternal life – which you have every reason to believe is true – puts life’s problems in a whole new positive perspective.
7. Remember it’s a dialogue. Our faith will stand on its own merits and you should welcome questions or comments. The answers you give will help clarify our faith for the listener. If you don't have an answer, don't wing it. Tell them you'd like to know, too, and you'll get back to them.
8. Ask to meet again. If it’s been a pleasant, informative, non-confrontational and intriguing discussion the answer should be “sure.” The creaking you’ll hear is the sound of a door opening.
Over the next several Christian Standpoint articles we’ll look at each of these steps in more detail.
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