Dr. Shane Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 Quote: Our life is the best tract and witness. This simply is not so. I went to college with a Japanese student for four years and he never knew I was a Christian until I told him just before we graduated. He was so impressed. He told me that he knew there was something different about me but hadn't considered the idea I was a Christian. I could have been doing Bible studies with him years before had I said something. Facts are facts. The Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses [correction noted in next post] actively share their faith with non-believers and their church growth is much greater than the Adventist church is. Latinos living in the United States actively share their faith and Hispanic Adventist churches in the US are among the few that actually are growing. Once we put away all of our excuses for not telling others about Jesus we see those that are belong to churches that are growing. The truth is, one of the big reasons we are not more active in sharing our faith is because we have a big yellow stripe down our backs. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
Dr. Shane Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 Correction A little research shows the Jehovah Witness church is actually shrinking in the US (but growing worldwide). The Adventist church continues to grow in the US (although slowly) but the Mormon church is growing faster in the US (but slower worldwide) as is the Assembly of God and other Pentecostal churches. Mormons and Pentecostals are both active denominations in sharing their faith. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
Moderators Jeannieb43 Posted January 8, 2008 Moderators Posted January 8, 2008 Hey, who cares about numbers, and scorekeeping?! I'm not friendly to my neighbors in order to chalk up a new member for my church. I'm friendly to my neighbors so I can count them as my friends! And friends are there for me whether I give things to them or even ask them for help when I'm in a pinch sometimes. I don't know whether the seed I'm planting [without tracts unless requested] will "bear fruit" on this earth or in the Heavenly Kingdom. I just know these people are nice people and I like knowing them a little bit better, so I invite them over for Sunday supper sometimes. [My take on the differences between some of the things suggested in foregoing posts here is that each poster lives in a somewhat different cultural mileu and therefore presents the picture based on his own community's particular style.] Quote Jeannie<br /><br /><br />...Change is inevitable; growth is optional....
Woody Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Quote: My take on the differences between some of the things suggested in foregoing posts here is that each poster lives in a somewhat different cultural mileu and therefore presents the picture based on his own community's particular style I like the way you said that Jeannie and I think that it applies to most posts here. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators Bravus Posted January 8, 2008 Moderators Posted January 8, 2008 Bit late to make a joke that wasn't that good to start with, but: 3.14159... Enjoy! Quote Truth is important
Moderators Jeannieb43 Posted January 8, 2008 Moderators Posted January 8, 2008 Good one, Bravus! The only problem I have, is that I'm always wanting my Pi R Squared! Quote Jeannie<br /><br /><br />...Change is inevitable; growth is optional....
Woody Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Quote: I'm always wanting my Pi R Squared! You say your pies R squared but I prefer mine round. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Liz Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Pie is pie, as long as I get some.:) Quote For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Mat. 16:26Please, support the JDRF and help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Please, support the March of Dimes.
Neil D Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Pie is pie, as long as I get some. Unless it's cowpie....then I don't want some..... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Liz Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 ROFL That is disgusting. I also don't like crow. Quote For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Mat. 16:26Please, support the JDRF and help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Please, support the March of Dimes.
Woody Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 ROFL That is disgusting. I also don't like crow. He does tend to crow a lot.. Ha Ha. Just a little Neil humor there .... Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Neil D Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Originally Posted By: Liz ROFL That is disgusting. I also don't like crow. He does tend to crow a lot.. Ha Ha. Just a little Neil humor there .... You learn well, grasshopper....[it's about time!!!!] Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Woody Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Oh Yeah .... People are going to start calling me Neil II Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Dr. Shane Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 If one follows this thread one will discover that I started it by suggesting we share baked goods with our neighbors. I made no mention of tracts or other religious literature. Liz then shared that when she has done this that her neighbors have felt the obligation to return the favor. THEN I suggested slipping a tract with the gift so the neighbor would think there was an ulterior motive and not feel obligated to return the favor. Aldona said 1,000 times not to do this. That kind of emphasis tends to lead one to believe it is wrong to do this. Many agreed with Aldona. David Koot then stated he feels it is unwise because it is not the most effective way to carry the gospel. BUT LET'S REMEMBER... the reason I suggested doing it was so that our neighbors would believe we have an ulterior motive and not feel obligated to bring us baked goods in return. I have not argued that giving away tracts with baked goods is the most effective means of carrying the gospel. I have argued the point that there is nothing wrong with it. Even if it isn't he most effective way of carrying the gospel, nothing is wrong in doing it. It is itself a good deed. Now Adventists come up with all kinds of excuses for not sharing their faith. Has anyone ever had a Pentecostal Christian ask them if they were "saved"? That question makes many feel uncomfortable and yet they ask people that all the time. And in America, they are out growing the Adventist church. Mormons go door to door, often doing good deeds, and their church growth in America is out doing the Adventist church. Church growth is obviously a complex issue with several factors but the Mormon growth in America tells us a couple of things. 1) Belief in an end-time prophet is not a barrier to growth. 2) Sharing one's faith while doing good works is not a barrier to growth. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
Woody Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Quote: Sharing one's faith while doing good works is not a barrier to growth. I am not sure the studies would prove this correct. Has anyone done a poll of nonChristians to see how they feel about it? Actually I think I have hit on something. If you want to rob members from other churches then perhaps it is more accepted to do as you say. But if your target is for non-Christians ... then I would question it. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Dr. Shane Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 Oh my goodness. Just go visit the local Salvation Army church and see how many are there because faithful Salvation Army church members shared their faith while helping the homeless, poor and those struck with tragedy. The Catholic church is another church in the US that is out growing the Adventist church and Catholic charities is not bashful in sharing their faith. While there may be more effective ways of spreading the gospel, it is undeniable that good works does work with a significant number of people. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
David Koot Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 He does tend to crow a lot.. Ha Ha. Just a little Neil humor there .... Crow? Ol' Neil EATS crow a lot! Quote
Woody Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 This is all well and good. But the issue remains ... is it a barrier or is it not? For some it IS a barrier. I don't doubt that a barrier can be bridged for some. I am sure the Salvation Army is able to still do their mission of helping those who are down. There are many ways to share and witness ones faith. I would not want to condemn any of them. But we have to be wise as to the culture we are in as to what works best. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Neil D Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Originally Posted By: Redwood He does tend to crow a lot.. Ha Ha. Just a little Neil humor there .... Crow? Ol' Neil EATS crow a lot! David..... [ahem] You have cowpie on your face...... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Woody Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 David ... I think it is both. But how did this thread turn so nasty. Where is a good moderator when you need one. Ha Ha. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
David Koot Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 David..... [ahem] You have cowpie on your face...... Aww, cmon Neil, don't be such a sore loser. It's okay to be wrong sometimes--jest that if a feller don't crow so much, then he may have less crow to EAT later. But as for the cowpies which certain individuals may have thrown my way--well, they been washed off now, so that my true lineaments can appear. Best wash your own face, son. Have you looked in a mirror lately? Speaking of 'crowing,' I see you assert that you 'ain't for sale.' Well . . . why would anyone in their right mind want to BUY a leathery old bird like yourself? Talk about 'crowing,' indeed! Quote
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted January 8, 2008 Members Posted January 8, 2008 A New Avatar - specifically for those who want Pie but don't want the calories: We should take a vote: Who uses this avatar? Redwood, Shane, David, or Neil? write-in candidates? After all, this is an election year. Alas, I do not know how to make a poll.. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
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