Comments on: Conversation On An Airplane http://doableevangelism.com/2008/07/23/conversation-on-an-airplane/ What if evangelism meant just being yourself? Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:22:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Randy http://doableevangelism.com/2008/07/23/conversation-on-an-airplane/comment-page-1/#comment-17751 Randy Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:54:50 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/?p=857#comment-17751 I LOVED this: <blockquote>There is no dramatic conclusion to this story, no profession of faith, no sinner’s prayer prayed, etc., but a few days later I realized that this is in fact the ONLY time I have ever talked to an airplane seatmate about faith. I was comfortable identifying as a Christian and he seemed comfortable sharing his faith and concerns and doubts, too. I felt good that it was definitely a conversation, not a sales pitch.</blockquote> Why is it we seem to be obsessed with "dramatic conclusions"? Maybe it's because that's how TV pitches it's stuff (stay tuned for the dramatic conclusion of...)? In the church world we have placed the conversion moment as the only real goal or objective for evangelism. This has made us so myopic that we literally cannot see any value in connection with others outside this "dramatic conclusion". Personally I thought the conclusion here was powerful (and even a bit dramatic, in it's own way). The fact that for the FIRST TIME this guy had a conversation with an airplane seatmate about faith (and one that was normal, fun and respectful) was a HUGE encouragement to me. Way to go. I LOVED this:

There is no dramatic conclusion to this story, no profession of faith, no sinner’s prayer prayed, etc., but a few days later I realized that this is in fact the ONLY time I have ever talked to an airplane seatmate about faith. I was comfortable identifying as a Christian and he seemed comfortable sharing his faith and concerns and doubts, too. I felt good that it was definitely a conversation, not a sales pitch.

Why is it we seem to be obsessed with “dramatic conclusions”? Maybe it’s because that’s how TV pitches it’s stuff (stay tuned for the dramatic conclusion of…)? In the church world we have placed the conversion moment as the only real goal or objective for evangelism. This has made us so myopic that we literally cannot see any value in connection with others outside this “dramatic conclusion”.

Personally I thought the conclusion here was powerful (and even a bit dramatic, in it’s own way). The fact that for the FIRST TIME this guy had a conversation with an airplane seatmate about faith (and one that was normal, fun and respectful) was a HUGE encouragement to me.

Way to go.

]]> By: April Terry http://doableevangelism.com/2008/07/23/conversation-on-an-airplane/comment-page-1/#comment-17733 April Terry Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:55:52 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/?p=857#comment-17733 This was good because it illustrates that as Christians we don't need to pretend NOT to be Christian, we just need to be ourselves and be willing to understand someone else's viewpoint as well. We don't need to try to sell them something they don't want. It wouldn't matter if it was Avon, Amway, or Christ, if people don't want to buy what we're selling they will turn us off. I think we just need to stop trying to sell them anything and just be what God is asking us to be. That's compelling enough. This was good because it illustrates that as Christians we don’t need to pretend NOT to be Christian, we just need to be ourselves and be willing to understand someone else’s viewpoint as well. We don’t need to try to sell them something they don’t want. It wouldn’t matter if it was Avon, Amway, or Christ, if people don’t want to buy what we’re selling they will turn us off.

I think we just need to stop trying to sell them anything and just be what God is asking us to be. That’s compelling enough.

]]> By: Steve Kiefer http://doableevangelism.com/2008/07/23/conversation-on-an-airplane/comment-page-1/#comment-17732 Steve Kiefer Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:35:13 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/?p=857#comment-17732 After attending about every soul winning seminar out there, I've learned that its all about conversations - utilizing time equity, being a good listener, not being polished/rehearsed. People are so saavy and see right through it. Be natural. It works! After attending about every soul winning seminar out there, I’ve learned that its all about conversations – utilizing time equity, being a good listener, not being polished/rehearsed. People are so saavy and see right through it. Be natural. It works!

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