Evangelism fail... What Not To Do

Recently my family and I enjoyed a day down in St. Augustine Fl.  We had a great day celebrating my oldest daughter's birthday!


It's a common thing to find street evangelists handing out their tracks or church information to those strolling the streets of the Oldest City. Most of the time they just smile and hand you their papers.  Many of theses tracts never contain very good theology.  Some are just simply cheesy and corny.  Others are of the "fire and brimstone" quality seeking to scare people into faith right then in there.  This encounter with the 3rd kind, I mean KJV only fundamentalist left me bummed that I didn't have a copy Luther's Small Catechism to pass back to these jerks on the street corner. These dudes were doing more to drive people away from Jesus than to speak the Word of God in truth and love.  Seriously it was terrible. It makes me sick to see and hear those who call themselves Christians misrepresenting God's name so terribly, hurling accusations and insults at the shoppers who just wanted to enjoy the pleasant ambiance of St. George Street.  Perhaps it bothers me more because we had to walk by three or four times in a very short amount of time...blah... still seriously it was terrible.

So to the guys out proselytizing in St. Augustine here's a list of what not to do!

First Fail: Please don't block the street!! 
Just let people quietly walk by if they so choose

So one of you was positioned on a street bench standing up "preaching" to everyone else.  By the tone and words, you could tell he believed that all who passed by him that that day were bound for the gates of Hades if they didn't stop and repent at his very feet that day.   Preacher guy's  buddy was standing on the other side of this very narrow street corner. There were about five feet of walking room in this area due to construction.   It's silly to position yourselves in such a way that everyone had to walk in between you.  This set up was highly confrontational and had a way of making people feel instantly uncomfortable. Dude! Get some manners.  Just let people go about their day, please.

Also when people who have walked by you in the last two minutes and have politely said  "Have a Church thanks" please don't keep shoving your track at them.  

Fail Number Two! Stop Assuming

To the guy on the bench "preaching" down to us.  What good does assuming you know the struggles of all who walk by do?  What good does it do to accuse people of never stepping foot in a church, or neglecting to go... or whatever?  What good does it do to accuse the parents of four kids walking by that they must have drug problems?? Ahem, we don't? Oh did you forget we already told you we have a church home?  And for the person that happens to walk by that might have issues with addictions or others sins I don't think accusations from a complete stranger yelling at them is going to help them all that much.  In fact, you probably come off sounding like a judgmental hypocrite to the one who is struggling and most likely deeply hurting.

But what really gets me is the assumption that promises that have been clearly made by God in his Word don't apply to me and my family.  Yes, baptism saves me! Yes, God has located himself for the forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament.  Who are you to say these promises are not for me?

Fail 3! Strike Out! 

Please get a different tract! Find one that is actually about the Jesus Christ the Savior who lived, died was buried, and rose for the salvation of the world.  That track that you gave tells of a tragic story, and I'm sorry the girl in the story died at such a young age. I am sure she is with her Father in heaven for by the gift of faith she was saved.  You see we don't get eternal life through Kristin's story which was all the track was about. Salvation doesn't come through Kristin or mimicking her "sinners prayer". All this does is turn Gospel into law, turning people to trust in their own work and not Christ's sufficient work.  Salvation is Jesus hanging on the cross for us declaring "it is finished."  This in and of itself is the Good News we share.  No coercion needed. The work of conversion is not the work or deed of man, but it is alone the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.

There has got to be a better way to Evangelize Right?

I honestly wonder if standing and shouting in the street is the best place to witness?  Could it not be?  I won't go so far as to say that it shouldn't be done.  Yet, in terms of effectiveness is it really all that effective? This was an interesting read on the subject.  Read it, let me know what you think. While I am definitely not Catholic I found the article to have a few worthwhile observations.  Anyway, there needs to be far more honest conversations on the topic and less of the fluffed up "training" workshops.

In the mean time here is my list of helpful approaches.

Throw away the scorecard

Understand who is doing the work and through what means the work is being done. The work of Evangelicalism is the work of the Holy Spirit. Not mine not yours.  We don't need to count how many people we've "help get saved" because it is not our work to begin with. 

Also, keep in mind that "doing evangelism" won't in and of itself cultivate a deep relationship with God. In other words, you won't ascend to God through your work.  But rather God comes to you in Christ.  He feeds and sustains you also through His Word and Sacrament. 

Consider your vocation

Evangelism and mission take place most effectively simply through the caring out of one's vocation. God will use you (even when you're not aware) where he has placed you. God doesn't need our good works to be God, but our neighbor does benefit from our service. You're blessed to be a blessing. Simply being ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you can make a huge difference in someone's life. 

Empathy and Compassion

When sharing faith with someone, friends, family, co-works, in public, remember that "all people are sinners" that means me and you also. When appropriate focus more on your sinful heart then beating someone down with assumptions, accusations, and judgments. Take into consideration the pain and suffering of the person you are talking with.  Comfort with a word of hope, the promises of Christ.  

Be genuine, friendly, caring, welcoming and sincere. 

This sort of gracious attitude is perceived highly even by atheists . 

Be attentive and listen. Speak the truth in love. Pray for and pray with the person. 

Follow up

This is where street evangelism is highly lacking. It by nature does not allow for follow-up and friendship. When you take the time to show a genuine interest in someone they may also be able to better identify that God is truly interested in them. If someone has shared a concern with you ask them about the concern later on. Intentionally remember the details of the conversation. Ask questions appropriately. Again take a moment to show you truly care. Avoid pushiness, be aware of coming off as forceful. Invite the people to join you at your congregation.  Take the time to walk them though the service if they need it.  Understand what their trepidation may be.  Be intentionally nurturing allowing yourself to be vulnerable also. It is easier for people to let down their guard when others do so also. Be reliable and trustworthy. In all things point to Christ. 

Lastly, make every effort to be faithful to the Word of God.  Study study study.  Know what it is you believe teach and confess. Is your doctrine the doctrine of Scripture?  Yep, I know at this point the debate could go on and on as it does.  I urge you dear brothers preaching on the streets of St. Augustine examine the words you are saying; do they say the same thing as the Bible?   One thing you said was that baptism can't save.  But God's Word says otherwise. In fact the Word of God promises that baptism saves. (Mark 16:16) The Lords Supper also gives the gifts of forgiveness as Jesus promises.  (Matt. 26:28)