tuesday reflection for week 7

Today Ryan told us the story about St. Thomas Crookes in England. This church's philosophy of evangelism is incredible. Basically, the people do not share their faith with other people unless people ask them. The people of St. Thomas are not out trying to proselytize or force their faith on other people. Instead, the church simply makes sure that about fifty percent of the people involved in their activities are non-Christians, and they wait for these folks to ask about why the other people live and act differently. Ryan said that one of the persons at St. Thomas said, "If people are not asking you about your faith, then they do not see a difference in your life in the way you live, and you probably are not living in the way of Jesus." The way the Christians at St. Thomas live should invite people to ask questions about their different lifestyle.

This model or philosophy is great because the conversation about faith comes form an organic, natural situation where a relationship has been established outside of trying to "win" the other person to Christ. No one is forcing their views upon someone else. The conversation is between two friends. I think evangelicals in the U.S. could learn a great deal from the people at St. Thomas.

This way of evangelism reminds me of a song by the Frames called "Star, Star." I leave you with a few lines from the song:

Star star teach me how to shine shine

Teach me so I know what's going on in your mind

'Cause I don't understand these people

Who say the hill's to steep

Well they talk and talk forever

But they just never climb

We tend to be the talkers in the U.S. The people at St. Thomas appear to be those who have stopped talking and are climbing. Which do we choose?