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Post by joeldad on Apr 22, 2008 21:25:48 GMT -5
Brothers,
Do the people in your churches have the same kind of fervent zeal for evangelism and theology that you have?
I'm always a bit torn over the church that my wife and I are a part of. The people are more interested in God than most other churches I've been a part of, but I can't seem to get anyone to talk about theology with me for more than a few seconds. Nor can I find anyone to join me with evangelism (not that I'm surprised there, I remember how I was when I was lukewarm).
We are friends with many people there, and almost everyone there is around our age, and at a similar place in life. Also, this is a fairly small community, so there aren't really many other options. Because of that, we consider it a blessing that we have a group of friends to be a part of in this small town.
Perhaps I'm just hoping for too much, that anyone else would enjoy talking about the sorts of things that we discuss here on the OAO forum.
What have been your experiences? How does one initiate getting people talking about things that seem to (at least to me) matter most? Thanks.
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Post by Kerrigan on Apr 22, 2008 21:47:56 GMT -5
Many, I'm sorry to hear that Joel. The Church I go to is great! Everyone LOVES to evangelize and it seems like all we talk about is Theology and God! Praise the Lord! ;D
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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Apr 23, 2008 8:23:20 GMT -5
"Theology" is a 'four-letter-word' to many. Except it's connotation is one of ennui, debate and intellectualism. I mentioned in an earlier thread that a long time ago the word 'theology' used to invoke images of C.H. Spurgeon surrounded by his piles of books in his library, late into the night writing and reading volumes upon skyscraper stacks of volumes. Overall, not a very stimulating image. The best way I heard theology defined is; "HOW YOU VIEW GOD." So if you were to communicate it that way, discussing how we view God, that might aid in sparking conversation. And I believe Wesley said "Catch on fire and people will come for miles to watch you burn." - if you let your passion burn, let it spread, share your excitement; it can become contagious. I'm not saying to add pyrotechnics and neon lights (in other words, try to dress it up), but figure out the best way to "cast the vision" that will aid. The Bible says that people perish for lack of vision. That's my dollar's worth of two cents. One more idea: Broach with subject with your pastor/associate pastors. He may be relieved/excited to have someone to discuss these topics with and may encourage him in his theology and evangelism... may even encourage him to share it with his flock too!
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Apr 26, 2008 15:51:05 GMT -5
Joel,
For years I have searched for a Church that preached good theology, and whose members had a zeal for the lost. And in my 7 years of searching, I have found very few. There are some, but they are few.
In order to initiate any discussions or outreaches, the key is friendship and conversation. Make friends with Christians, let them get to know you, and then share with them some exciting evangelism stories, and start asking a few thought provoking theological questions.
Yea, that's because John, yourself, and myself were so tired of the lukewarm churches, who don't talk about good theology and who don't evangelize, that we decided to start our own home fellowship!
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