This is certainly a much bigger topic than a blog page has time or space for. Nevertheless, it is a question that I and perhaps you struggle with. We know the need and the summons from our Lord to go and bear witness and make disciples. Once we suppress the lump in our throat and take a deep breath, more often than not we talk ourselves out of talking about Jesus. Reasons quickly become excuses. Recall how Jesus himself went about it. He never applied pressure. He listened, then asked a guiding question or two. He allowed them to discover for themselves.

We live in a win/lose, zero sum, contentious society. I would much rather engage in God’s work, His mission. We can believe and trust that the Holy Spirit has done the “prep work”. Those verbal cues, those windows of opportunity, hearing words you didn’t know you had tumble out of your mouth – all Holy Spirit, divine intervention. Finding out what they need; their turn-offs about church and organized religion – that approach, I’m willing to bet, will be far more fruitful as you discover where the Spirit is leading. You can also take the pressure off yourself by simply inviting them to “come [to church] and see”. You are “More Ready Than You Realize”, which is the title of a book about evangelism by Brian McLaren. “You will receive power from on high” (which comes from a holy book you might be familiar with). The unconditional love that flows into and through holy conversations will, I’m willing to bet, make the starting point easier to overcome, along with that lump in the throat.

Wink, nudge,…
Pastor Art