People
loved the video. The video discusses how modern evangelism, which is
basically "friendship evangelism" and telling others of all the benefits
that they can get if they come to Christ. This is all we hear in the
church as a whole now days. It is not Biblical. The issue isn't one of
life enhancement, but of righteousness. It doesn't matter how happy a
sinner is, or how much pleasure he is having in sin, he will perish on
the day of wrath. We need righteousness to be in a "right standing" with
God on Judgment Day. They seemed to whole-heartedly agree.
There
was discussion going on in the question and answer time. The pastor,
Mark Shorey, was agreeing with it. He has a heart for the lost already,
but he has never heard this training and he is excited.
I
read some of the stats about the follow-up numbers being terrible for
different outreaches. The fall away rate for people making a "decision
for Christ" is close to 90% to 95%. The way we have heard about
witnessing isn't working too well, it's broke, basically. Christians are
passionate about learning how to Biblically, effectively, share their
faith. I am very excited.
After service a
man came up to me who was looking extremely focused and serious. He
walked up and gave me a hug. He said, "I have grown up in church all my
life. I have been in kids ministry, youth and adult classes in church. I
have NEVER heard any teaching, either formally or informally, about how
to reach the lost like this. We never tell someone, you are a sinner
and you need the righteousness of God'. We always talk about the
benefits and how God will walk with them and be with them....always
sugar-coating the real issue- which is they are a sinner and on their
way to hell. This is a very good teaching and we need it". Praise
God!!!!
After service, pastor said to Leann
and I, "Okay, how long until we get to the actual training about how to
put this into practice? Because as soon as that episode is finished, we
are having a sign-up sheet for people to meet that Satuday at the church
and we are going down to Historic Downtown Branson and we are going to
witness to everyone down there!!" WOW. It's like I'm holding him back!
Anyway, that is what happened tonight.
Please
keep the church in your prayers. Pray for the Holy Spirit to continue
to build a fire in their hearts, and give them an extreme passion for
sharing their faith with other.
Praise God!