Comments on: San Jose DE Seminar

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:28:40 +0000

Thanks, Lori. Yes, the 60 second survey has uncovered a few Christians. There is a video on our facebook group page (we’ll have a youtube page here soon) that one group did at the Reno Street Vibrations event (a motorcycle rally here in town). The most interesting comment to that question about “If Christians would listen…” came from a gal I think was probably a Jesus follower.

The four questions can be used anywhere, with anyone, of course. But it’s really fun to ask them to people you see regularly, just because it makes you a safe person to talk to later.

Glad to hear that there’s still a ripple effect from our time together there at Cornerstone. I just put a four-week DE Course online here in our downloads section…one I’ve been using now for over 4 years. Also put a discussion guide on there, which doesn’t require Jim’s book to go through. Our goal is to make available as many tools as possible to get as many people as possible practicing the spiritual practices we call “ordinary attempts”.

I’d love to come back, btw!

By: Lori (Josh's wife)

Lori (Josh's wife) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:18:16 +0000

About the 60 second survey– do you generally know beforehand that the person is not a “believer”? Have you ever asked a random stranger (after noticing them and praying behind their back) those questions and come to find out through the questions that they are a Christian? Must make the “What would you say to Christians if they would listen?” question quite interesting!

Thanks again for coming to SJ! I am sensing a few things really opening up as a result of your being there! (It was a great place beforehand, so no criticism to Cornerstone- but there is always room for growth!)
Hope we see you again. With enough time to get the word out, I think it could be really well-attended.

By: Randy

Randy — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:43:38 +0000

I think maybe a little of both. Thanks, Elaine!

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:05:09 +0000

or maybe it is you who are watering the seeds that God has already planted. What do you think?

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:03:44 +0000

Randy – love to read your harvest report on the DE gatherings. It makes me smile because I hear in your words the relationships you’ve built, lives that have been touched.

And as my friends in ASG world say, who ever shows up are the right people and whatever happens is the only thing that could. God is in control.

It sounds to me like the 27 people who showed up – made a choice to be there and that’s much better than 500 who were forced to be there.

You are planting wonderful seeds that God will continue to water and care for…

keep up the good work

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:57:42 +0000

Dave,
Thanks, man. Be sure to notice and pray behind their back, before you go with the 60 second survey. You might practice with someone who likes you first, too, just to get the feel for how long 60 seconds really is. I expect a full report right here in DE Land! Way to go!

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:04:05 +0000

Randy-
Thanks for bringing Doable Evangelism to San Jose. I look forward to your material being published. My goal is to give the survey to a complete stranger. When that happens, I will let you know. I will probably let everyone know.

By: Randy

Randy — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:33:37 +0000

Thanks, Lori. It would be fun to come back again to San Jose. Hope we can make that happen.

One of the things that tends to paralyze Christians in the evangelism game is the fear of not knowing the right answer to some particular question. The question you raise is one I have gotten many times from my non-believing friends, including my atheist friend. I don’t think there is one stock answer for this question (or any other), except the all-saving, “I don’t really know.”

My own version of this answer sounds something like, “I don’t think I get to decide that, but if I were God I’d want you with me.”

I wasn’t always this humble, mind you. A decade ago I was able to figure out just about anyone’s eternal destiny, using only a few very pointed questions. I’m a little less god-like these days. Plus, as we discussed at the seminar, I’m trying to leave the outcome up to God (which requires I actually act as if God is sovereign, rather than just agree to the possibility).

I bet others here may have suggestions on how to answer this important question. Anyone get this question from their friends? How did you answer it?

By: Lori (Josh's wife)

Lori (Josh's wife) — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:22:06 +0000

I wasn’t able to stay the whole time, but I LOVED the parts I got to hear! I agree with Vince that if you come again to SJ, we can get more people. I’m sure those of us who attended will be talking it up big-time.

Interesting- Josh was telling his dad what he was doing Sat. and trying to describe the kinds of questions he got. His dad said “If it were me, I’d tell them that a good first step would be to not tell me I’m going to hell.” Duly noted!

Seriously (and I should probably email you this question!): what would you say to a friend who is not a Christ-follower if they ask you “Do you think I’m going to hell (or not going to heaven) because I don’t follow Jesus?” I think that question is my #1 fear, because I have no idea how I would answer it. (Maybe- “It’s not my job to know that” ?)

Thanks again for some very freeing words of wisdom!
-Lori

By: Vince Staub

Vince Staub — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:12:28 +0000

Randy-
Several people stopped me this morning at church and told me how great the seminar was…I said “Wow”. Seriously, lifting the burden off of the shoulders of these folks is a huge win for Cornerstone, San Jose and the Kingdom.
Thanks for hanging out with us and inspiring us.