Daily Discussion Question: What keeps you from witnessing?

[Jeremy Geerdes]

The other day, I did a rather unscientific survey of the congregation
to see who has intentionally witnessed in the last month. About ten
percent of those in attendance raised their hands. Assuming that there
were some who chose to abstain, and others who raised their hands just
to look good, I think it's probably fair to say that no more than 10%
of my congregation is deliberately going out to evangelize the
community in which they live.

And I really don't think that our church is particularly out of the
ordinary in this.

So here's the question: Assuming that you are at least cognizant of
the Biblical mandate to evangelize, what keeps you from witnessing?

Please note: I'm not looking for profound, theological-like answers
here. Just basic, practical insight.

Rev. Jeremy R. Geerdes, Pastor
Debra Heights Wesleyan Church
4025 Lower Beaver Rd.
Des Moines, IA 50310

p/f: (515) 279-5212
h: (515) 277-7491
jgee...@mchsi.com
jgeerdes.wordpress.com

[Sharon]

For me, I know I look for open doors. To just start talking about how
to get saved seems...well...weird, uncomfortable. But if a door is
opened even a tiny bit, I'm anxious to walk through it. I'll try to
steer some conversations toward the spiritual, to lead to this, but it
is hard in real life sometimes. I do most of my witnessing now in my
lab. I have lots of conversations about spiritual things, not only
with believers, but non-Christians too. I've talked about Christ to a
Russian lady who has no concept of church or Christianity at all. One
day, we lost power, and a young man very set against Christianity
spent two hours helping me prepare caps because it was the only thing
we could do. For those 2 hours, he grilled me on what I believe, and
why. The opportunities are there, but I have to wait for them
sometimes. Had I just gone up to Keven and tried to witness, instead
of him listening and considering what I had to say, he would have been
offended. Instead, he had watched me for over a year, knew how I act
and what I stand for, and so he listened.

It is hard for me to wait for opportunities. I confess, I'm so
anxious to have everyone I know be saved, I want to make
opportunities. That never seems to work though.

On the other hand, I can spend so much time waiting for the right
moment, I never say or do anything. So I guess it is a balance, and
not a very easy one!

> jgeer...@mchsi.com
> jgeerdes.wordpress.com