Evangelism Kirk Cameron Style Part 2
Last week I tackled the topic of Kirk Cameron's widely televised evangelism efforts. Though I expressed admiration for Cameron, I was critical of his methodology. I didn’t think my view was controversial.
I was wrong!
Like a curious toddler who innocently probes an electrical outlet, I wasn’t prepared for the shock I received. Judging from the comments, I quickly learned that I had touched a live wire. Many of you were defensive of Cameron’s street evangelism.
“Don't knock it until you've tried it!” wrote one reader. “Wow! Harsh criticism,” commented another.
Many of the points were excellent. I don’t have time to respond to each one. However, I do want to offer my reaction.
First, as one commenter wrote, when it comes to evangelism “methods matter.” I agree. Many people have labored long and hard to understand how best to share the gospel in our particular cultural context. Most models like “Friendship Evangelism” and “Servant Outreach” fly directly in the face of Cameron’s approach. Instead of accosting strangers with harsh truths, these carefully thought-out methods emphasize building relationships with unbelievers.
Unsurprisingly research shows these models are far more effective. More than ninety percent of converts come to Christ through a friend or relative. Street evangelism in general—and yes I have tried it—rarely works, even when done with the best approach. Usually you have to earn the right to speak into someone’s life—not just walk up and demand it.
Second, Cameron and Ray show scant regard for the postmodern worldviews increasingly common in our culture. Questions such as, “How will God judge you when you die?” presuppose a Christian worldview. The question just assumes that everyone believes that:
a) There is a God
b) He is the ultimate judge
c) There is an afterlife.
For many these beliefs are now foreign. That doesn’t mean we hide these aspects of Christian truth. It just demands that our starting point is different. I remember seeing one young man shaking his head when confronted with Cameron and Ray’s stock questions.
“Man, I don’t even believe in that stuff,” he said.
He wasn’t convicted. He was confused.
The gospel never changes, but the way we present it does. In every generation God seeks men who will rise to the challenge to present the gospel in new and compelling ways without sacrificing the content of the message. Cameron and Ray have good hearts and their efforts may help some. But I believe there are others blazing trails more worthy of following.
I was wrong!
Like a curious toddler who innocently probes an electrical outlet, I wasn’t prepared for the shock I received. Judging from the comments, I quickly learned that I had touched a live wire. Many of you were defensive of Cameron’s street evangelism.
“Don't knock it until you've tried it!” wrote one reader. “Wow! Harsh criticism,” commented another.
Many of the points were excellent. I don’t have time to respond to each one. However, I do want to offer my reaction.
First, as one commenter wrote, when it comes to evangelism “methods matter.” I agree. Many people have labored long and hard to understand how best to share the gospel in our particular cultural context. Most models like “Friendship Evangelism” and “Servant Outreach” fly directly in the face of Cameron’s approach. Instead of accosting strangers with harsh truths, these carefully thought-out methods emphasize building relationships with unbelievers.
Unsurprisingly research shows these models are far more effective. More than ninety percent of converts come to Christ through a friend or relative. Street evangelism in general—and yes I have tried it—rarely works, even when done with the best approach. Usually you have to earn the right to speak into someone’s life—not just walk up and demand it.
Second, Cameron and Ray show scant regard for the postmodern worldviews increasingly common in our culture. Questions such as, “How will God judge you when you die?” presuppose a Christian worldview. The question just assumes that everyone believes that:
a) There is a God
b) He is the ultimate judge
c) There is an afterlife.
For many these beliefs are now foreign. That doesn’t mean we hide these aspects of Christian truth. It just demands that our starting point is different. I remember seeing one young man shaking his head when confronted with Cameron and Ray’s stock questions.
“Man, I don’t even believe in that stuff,” he said.
He wasn’t convicted. He was confused.
The gospel never changes, but the way we present it does. In every generation God seeks men who will rise to the challenge to present the gospel in new and compelling ways without sacrificing the content of the message. Cameron and Ray have good hearts and their efforts may help some. But I believe there are others blazing trails more worthy of following.
posted by Drew Dyck at 11:53 AM
18 Comments:
Drew, I appreciate that you have a desire to evaluate evangelism in our culture. This is an important subject because most churches today are silent and not embodying the call of Scripture to be witnesses and share the Gospel with boldness like in the Gospels and Acts.
I am familiar with Ray and Kirk and disagree with you for the most part about your views on their approach. As I've used this biblical model, I've shared with 1000s who have been thankful for our conversation, understood the reason for Jesus' death and resurrection that they never learned in a church culture full of false converts.
I don't agree with your view that you need to "earn the right to share the gospel" either...where is this in Scripture? No, I don't force the Gospel on anyone, but we are called to proclaim Jesus with gentleness, grace and truth. Mark Cahill wrote about this today in his newsletter:
http://www.markcahill.org/news.html
Your statistics may show that "friendship evangelism" works in our "american christian culture" but I don't believe this was modeled by Jesus as he sent his disciples out to towns...
let's keep this conversation going and stir the Church to share the gospel in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
For the Fame of Jesus,
Ken
www.MissionaryRoad.com
Incredible! How dare you diss a New Zealander!
But seriously, Ray carries a lot of what he does with his personality. He can get a connection very quicky with most people.
I agree that there are other things that need to be shared about evangelism that Ray and Kirk do not touch on. Jesus and the disciples would cast out demons, heal those who were sick, and provide food to those in need.
We need to depend on the Power of the Holy Spirit to prophecy, heal, and cast out demonic spirits that run rampant in our culture. I wish Ray and Kirk would embody this in their WOTM program and on their outreaches.
I have friends who have healed people and prophecied over others. Let's pray that we as the Church seek this out through ministries that embody this:
www.healingrooms.com
I think the bigger issue isn't the method, but rather the silence of the church to proclaim Jesus as Lord to a lost world. We are using an excuse of friendship evangelism when we should be telling others about what Jesus has done for us and the hope we have in Him over sin and death.
The Church also needs to pray against a religious spirit that is the same as the Pharisees had...Jesus said "Follow Me" not a religion...
For Jesus,
Ken
www.MissionaryRoad.com
The gospel never changes, but the way we present it does. In every generation God seeks men who will rise to the challenge to present the gospel in new and compelling ways without sacrificing the content of the message.
Our society today has basically told us - "you're good", "a little sin can be fun", "don't worry, be happy". I think what Ray and Kirk are doing is to snap people out of this happy-coma that society is putting us in.
2 Cor 6:2 says "For He says, I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation I have helped thee. Behold, NOW is a very appropriate time. Behold, NOW is the day of salvation.
If a stranger isn't getting the love from a family member or friend to lead them to Christ, one of us Ambassadors of Christ should be doing it. I have no problem with Ray and Kirk's style, just as I have no problem with other forms of witness, as long as it is Bible-based. Theirs most certainly is.
You gave your opinions - not scripture. Have you read the Gospels and the book of Acts? Friendship Evangelism and Evangelism Explosion are great - but Jesus talked to several strangers about eternal things - as did Paul and Peter.
Have you been to Mardi Gras to witness? I've taken hundreds of students there on outreach. All you have to do is stand on a corner with a sign - one year my sign read, "Eternity - Smoking or Non-Smoking?" Hundreds of college students would line up to argue with me - and end up praying with me.
Our groups, and others, led hundreds of students to the Lord. 100's joined churches and are still in church.
I don't agree with the, "God Hates Sinners" approach. No one could really argue that Jesus or the Apostles would approach the lost in anger.
I trained our groups to reach out in the "opposite spirit" from the world. The Mardi Gras revelers were angry, loud, and argumentative. We approached them in the spirit of the Lamb - but with the truth, and the law.
The Bible says that the law brings the knowledge of sin. These last few years, I've seen it become harder to see people really converted. The reason is that you can't get them lost. They hardly ever hear of God's Moral Law - they don't know what sin is. They have no knowledge of sin. We go to the nightclub areas of Dallas to witness and to Union Gospel Men's Mission to the homeless. Shockingly, 95% of the intoxicated, "high", and barely clothed - tell me that they are Christians, go to church, pray every day, and read their Bibles every day.
They have no knowledge of sin, or conviction of sin.
God's Moral Law is seldom used, preached, or taught now.
Ray Comfort is a good friend of mine, and I know Kirk. You'll never meet any believers more loving or thoughtful in their approach to the lost. You see, they are actually obeying the Great Commission.
Where did you get your statistics on the success on different kinds of Evangelism? I've not seen those studies.
I'm sorry your approach to the lost on the streets wasn't effective. Mine is.
I've seen a group of girls who came downtown to get drunk and party - having to hold on a parking meter to stand up - they were weeping so hard under conviction of sin.
In Acts 2, after Peter preached in the open air, they were cut to the heart, and cried out, "What Shall We Do To Be Saved?" And 3000 were.
I've personally seen this happen 100s of times.
God Bless!
Randy Jones
Dallas, TX
Drew, first, thank you for drawing attention to TWOM by your comments. Kind of like how the ACLU drew attention to the Ten Commandments, remember. Nothing implyed, I am confident you love Jesus and obey His commandaments. I believe they will draw 1,000's if not million's of men to search the scriptures and see, WhatDidJesusDo, and that our instruction manual, the bible, does not need any rewriting or "carefully thoughtout" (man made methods) that offer the fruits of the spirit and fellowship without "true conviction which leads to true and lasting conversion,ie; Modern
Evangelism".
I for one have never "Accosted anyone or even spoken to anyone without their permission. I did have a (one) track refused just last week, but his wife took it, out of, thousands? "Unsuprising research" as per Barna or who?
Please remember it's not about what he may or may not believe, he is already "dead in his sin's and traspasses. Friendship evangelism? Please pray daily they don't die untill you get over "your spirit of fear" and accept the "Lords" gift of "love, power, and a sound mind..Yes there are others blazing trails, but away from "Modern Evangelism, like the one million hits their site got after their first special, 2.5 years ago! My brother, I am in tears when I consider that less than 6% of my brothers ever evangelize even their friends and worse yet their own families.
We all know that Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and BE a witness not to do witnessing, so if you are not walking as a living epistle it won't matter what you say or how you say it.As born again followers of Jesus we have available to us the same power and authority to become the expressed image of him who was sent by the Father. What truly changes people is a manifestation of the life that now lives on the inside. Once you have this your presence carrying his presence will change the atmosphere and the Holy Spirit will bring a change of heart!
Why not use both ways? In my very limited experience I have used both "street" tactics AND relationship tactics and discovered that God does whatever He wants. Some people need the "shock and awe" approach while others need the more subtle. The BEST way is to be led of the Holy Spirit and not rely on methods or style. If the street way is need at the moment then use it. If the relationship method is needed, so be it. It is still the individual that is the focus.
Your concern about Ray and Kirk's method is that you believe they're "accosting strangers with harsh truths." By that, do you mean the reality of a God to whom we are accountable? I'm curious how that differs from the gospel message you share. I agree that we shouldn't "sacrifice the content of the message," so we need to be like the Bereans and look to the timeless Scriptures as our guide (rather than man's contemporary teaching):
Jesus began His ministry by preaching, "Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
He ended His earthly ministry by instructing His disciples "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations" (Luke 18:47).
Jesus said the reason He came was to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32), and that "unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
When He taught the disciples what to say and sent them out, "they went out and preached that people should repent" (Mark 6:12).
Paul obediently declared the message to all "that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance" (Acts 26:20).
This is the message the Church (including us) was given to proclaim to all the world: "[God] commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:30-31).
Also, most of the details we know about Hell came from Jesus (who spoke twice as much about Hell as about Heaven), to warn people not to go there.
Sin, judgment, and Hell are "harsh truths"--but these are what we are clearly commanded to tell. The "good news" makes no sense unless people first understand the "bad news." The "Way of the Master" follows this biblical model of witnessing--approaching people in love and compassion, and helping them see their sin so they can repent.
Notice that nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to use "friendship evangelism" or "servant outreach"--to intentionally wait months or years before telling people how to be saved. (We're commanded to love and serve God and others, but this is simply obedience, not "evangelism.")
If we follow the biblical model, we will go out and share with all people we encounter everywhere as we go throughout our day, as well as going intentionally to public places to share with those gathered there. And our message will not be watered down, but will be what Paul modeled: "I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:20-21). Salvation is only through repentance and faith, and so that is the message we must be sharing.
Jesus, the disciples, and the early Church were passionate about "accosting strangers with harsh truths." If we care about people who are dying from the fatal disease of sin, we will "accost" them with the offer of a free cure--and have the joy of seeing lost souls saved and hearing their thanks for caring enough to share with them. That's what Jesus did, what His taught His followers to do, and, if we love Him and obey Him, what we will do in His strength.
Though I believe your 90% statistic is way high, my first thought was, "Is it because our friends are more receptive to hearing how to find eternal life--or is it that we've succumbed to the "friendship evangelism" trap and very few are obedient to share the gospel with strangers? Is it really more fruitful to sow among friends--or are we not sowing to "all the world" as we should?
My second thought was, "Are these the same people who believe that Jesus sinned on earth, Satan is not real, Jesus is not the only way to heaven, there are no moral absolutes, and who lie, have sex outside of marriage, and live just like the world?" (See Barna stats.) Are these the same young people who will leave the church when they hit age 18 and never return (because they never understood salvation)? Could it be that we've invited our friends to join us in church activities for fellowship and good times--but we neglected to tell them about sin and invited them to repent and trust the Savior?
A final thought: Are these the same people, doing religious activities, to whom Jesus will utter the most horrifying words, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness"? Who are all the false converts Scripture speaks of? How did they come to think that they had salvation when they didn't? Perhaps they never heard the biblical gospel (no one "accosted them with harsh truths"), and they neglected to repent. What a frightening thought!
Dear Commenters,
I love hearing all this great feedback! Please keep in touch with me...we need to keep this conversation going and join in unity to share this passion with the Church.
Shoot me an email at ken.fleck@gmail.com so we can stay in touch.
Trying to backpedal, along with making your point is insulting.
Your whining in your first post was enough.
We can all sit & discuss the best way to Evangelize until we are blue in the face, all the while people are being tossed into the Eternal Lake of Fire!
Doing is everything! Death is eminent!
Christ paid too high a price, for us to waste an opportunity to share!
Wow, you did hit a hot button, didn't ya?
One commentor above pointed out that both methodologies can be used, and should be.
Where I take issue with some practicioners with WOTM is their insistance that it is the ONLY way to do evangelism.
Some have even suggested that my conversion misfired 20 years ago because i didn't come to faith in the right order.
I don't mind the theology of the law and the gospel. It's is those who say it's the only valid form of evangelism that I take issue with.
Pastor Chris
EvangelismCoach.org
Dear Dennis, I wish I had your email to respond personally to how you commented to me. I find your response to me about "whining" inappropriate and flat out wrong. I was not "backpeddling" as you stated in the least. I do forgive you for making such accusations and ask all of us to consider how we share our faith full of love and gentleness with a lost world that is blinded by the enemy and the lack of love among Christ followers. we are called to be filled with gentleness, self control, grace, truth, mercy.
I do have some concerns over WOTM and how their ministry can come off so harshly at times and methodical without talking enough about the empowerment of the Holy Spirit as we share the gospel...Jesus was hardest on the religous pharisees of his day, not the unreligious people.
I agree that talk is cheap and we are called to action, but may we foster unity among other follwoers of Jesus so the world can see our love for one another.
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."
With Christ's love,
Ken
Hey guys and gals, I just want to challenge each of you who have reservations about the methods of WOTM to take a little time to listen to the messages Hell's Best Kept Secret and True and False Conversion. They will be the most eye-opening two hours you'll have for a long time. You can listen to them for free at www.living waters.com. I was skeptical myself at first, but once I could see the importance of the message Ray has been given for the contemporary church, it has revolutionized the way I approach evangelism and how to reach the lost with the gospel in a way that makes grace the amazing grace that it is. Take the time to hear the messages. You won't regret it.
Our dealings with one another, and the lost, should be in love - firm, maybe - or even confrontational sometimes - but in love. Speak the truth, but in love. We are serving the Lamb. Jesus could be tough sometimes - even angry - but it was out of love.
There is no set method - you have to have the leading of the Holy Spirit in each situation. But a great rule to use (Charles Finney's) is - law to the proud, grace to the humble. If the person is proud, arrogant, and hard-hearted - use the law. If they are hungry, humble, or contrite - use John 3:16.
I listened to a sermon the other day by Stephen Olford - "The Church's Greatest Sin - Partial Obedience."
We have to obey Jesus' Command to Go Preach the Gospel to Every Creature. That wasn't given to just preachers - but to all true believers.
The main and most important thing is to witness to and for Jesus Christ - to share the gospel with the lost. Whatever and however - just do it!
Most don't because they have been taught that obedience is optional. One important truth I've learned - from experience, and the Word - and from Ray, is - lost people don't understand, appreciate, or want the good news - until they understand the bad news.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I've preached revivals in over 500 churches - and I have been witnessing to the lost since I was 12 - and I'm 56 now. We need a burden for the lost again.
Since after WW II, the modern, man-centered gospel message of ease, prosperity, and money has changed the the spiritual climate of the church and lost sinners are hardly convicted of sin anymore - because they haven''t heard a message on God's Moral Law - and so the Holy Spirit can't convict them.
Our churches are full of disobedient false converts whose lifestyles don't differ from sinners.
It's not the Great Suggestion or the Great Hint - it's the Great Commission.
Chrisitianty Lite and Sinner Sensitive messages are destroying the spiritual climate of America.
Blessed Are Those Who Go Forth Weeping, Bearing Precious Seed - They Will Surely Come Again Rejoicing - Bringing Their Sheaves With Them.
God Bless!
Randy Jones
New Man: "Um, John? You shouldn't preach in the streets. Wait till you're invited; wait till you've earned the right to be the forerunner"
John the Baptist: "Um, yeah right."
In the first post, you were missing some very important points. The way these guys would approach people was out of love for them. They did not point their fingers at people at call them lying, thieves and adulterers at heart. The way they actually did it was to ask the person, have you ever told a lie? (yes) what are you called when you tell a lie? (a liar). Have you ever stolen anything regardless of the value of it? (yes) what do you call a person who has stolen something? (a thief), the Bible says, do not commit adultery, but Jesus said that any man who looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery in his heart, have you ever looked with lust? (yes), so, by your own admission (they have already admitted this), you are a lying, thief and an adulterer at heart (at this point, people will have a nervous laughter as they finally realize the level of their sinfulness!). There is no pointing fingers, it is just showing people the holiness of God. People are not offended when they admit what they have done. People like to talk about themselves.
as for the percentage of friendship evangelism that you presented, your numbers sound pretty high. Considering only about 2% of all Christians actually get out and witness. Don't believe that? Just walk out in the street and ask every stranger if they have ever had someone meet them in the streets to talk to them about God. I lived in my hometown for over 30 years and no one ever came up to me. With over 70 churches in town, the odds are that someone should have been out there. And what is considered effective? Just because someone was invited to come to church does not mean that person was saved. If they came to Christ for the wrong motives, you will have created a false convert. When using WOTM techniques, it is not important to us that the people we talk to come to Christ right at that moment. We do not do the saving. That is God's job. We just give them God's Word and realize that His Word will not return void!
As a Christian, I have no problem with Cameron and Comfort making the assumption of God being true. Regardless of whether the people they are talking to believe in God does not matter, God exists nonetheless!
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