Perhaps you nor I would agree with Russert’s version of Roman Catholicism (it is in accurate and naïve to perpetuate that all RCs have an identical set of beliefs). Yet can borrow a page or two from the playbook of his life lived out. Ponder the following approaches he walked out in connecting with others regarding his faith:

• He was not programmatic with others. I am yet to meet a person who treats others with an agenda in hand or heart who is also effective at influencing them. Let’s face it – others can ‘read’ our intentions quickly. We nearly always have all good intensions when it comes to seeking to influence others toward a life of Jesus centeredness. However as we carry about a strategy toward those around us, we get in the way of what God is up to with others. You will never hear of a person telling their ‘Jesus story’ down the road with them mentioning how powerful a strategy or program was in grabbing their hearts. Such talk robs God of his glory.

• He did not try to persuade people.   God is the persuader – the one and only. He is the sole heart to heart communicator who has ever existed. If you are unclear on this point, I encourage you to chat with someone who has extensive experience in the realm of evangelism. To a person I promise you will hear stories from them of God clarifying exactly who is behind every conversion story. (We are seed flingers – he causes the harvest to occur.) If anyone tells you differently, realize you are talking with a poser, not an evangelism veteran.) Of course God calls us to action. To the same degree, of course, ours is to realize our severe limitations when it comes drawing people into God’s kingdom on our own.

• He was not suspicious of others who disagreed with him.   We can only hold onto one thing at a time. Jesus calls us to love God with our all and all and our neighbor as ourselves. It is impossible to love our neighbor hold out suspicions toward them at the same time.