Tele-Evangelism vs Actual Evangelism

You've seen them.  The over-the-top Televangelist on stage, with a sparkly suit and a chicklette grin, pa-raisin' Jeee-sus!  These "pitch men" are one of the reasons why I used to find the idea of Christianity repellent.  It kept the barrier up between Greg the "Comfortable Agnostic" and Greg the "Seeker of Truth".  I was talking to my Pastor the other day and he conveyed a story about a guy in Seminary with him who was not in any way an actual believer, but said he was a seminary because, "there is money in this religion thing."  Horrible, but not surprising given the world we live in ... and the greed-centric country we live in.  To use something pure and good for power and money is nothing new, though.  But that disgraceful reality needs to be separated from true "evangelism".

So, what is this "true evangelism" of which you speak, Greg?  Hey, thanks for asking, Greg.

Evangelism = Sharing incredible news to those who:

1. Are completely unaware of that news (there are so many, it's crazy),
2. Have a very watered-down or skewed version of that news in their head that they think is correct (even more of these)
3. Or to those who just need a reminder of the news (and there are a ton of these)

You say, "So what?  So, they don't know.  What's the big deal?"

It matters because it's actually the only reason we're here on this planet.  And if someone doesn't know, that's a problem on so many levels.

Imagine a stream of tubers.  By the way ... If you've not been down the Guadalupe River in a tube and you're now older than 25, I'm suggesting you cross that off your bucket list.  Gross.  Anyway, back to the stream, and YOU are one of the thousands of those tubers rushing down the river.   You make it to the side and pull yourself out of said stream to find what it's "really all about".   And you truly couldn't see it until you were out of the river.  You learn that your true purpose is over the horizon perpendicular to the river and the river you were in was actually taking you over a waterfall that will eventually drop into a bottomless pit.

What would you do then?  Would you start walking, leaving all those tubers in the river behind?  Or would you attempt to share what you know with them?  Do you care enough to turn around, face potential ridicule from the tubers who will call you crazy and to "get back in the river!"?  Do you let them rush by because, well, you don't want to bother them or make them feel uncomfortable or  be called "intolerant"?

God tells us something we already inherently know:  To care enough to share the good news, especially if it matters in eternity.

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter   

Proverbs 24:11

For those who know the news, we've been loved and shown the light.  We were blind and now we see.  We are called, now, to love others.  To walk away from the stream without helping others out too because of fear of ridicule or out of some misguided, worldly pressure to be "tolerant", would be unloving and uncaring.

For those who don't know the news, be patient with us.  Hear us out.  We really do mean well and we care about you.  And - coming from someone who was blind just 5 years ago - we may have some data you need to hear and consider.  There really is a MUCH better life, there is hope, and there is so much more once our bodies are gone.  

I'll start with the "Actual Evangelism":  God created this Universe we enjoy.  He cares about us.  So much so that He sent His only son to show us the way to live and, ultimately, to die for us as a sacrifice for our sins - past, present and future.  He asks that you not blindly believe this, but look into it, think it through, then accept Jesus as your king - the one who saved you.  That's the first step.  He sent His only son so you won't ever die - not in spirit.  You'll have everlasting life.  I know as a non-believer, this sounds whacky and not at all what the world tells us every day.  But it's true.  100% true.  Please, look into it.  Swim to the bank of the river and let us help you out.

God bless.