The face of evangelism is changing. Scratch that- it has changed. Street evangelism, while still effective, is being replaced by a need for relational evangelism--earning the “right” to be heard by building a relationship first, allowing those you are trying to reach to not only first see God through your life, but by building up a relationship, you earn the right to share your beliefs with them verbally as well. Street evangelism is meeting with more and more resistance from our world. In fact, in some countries, simply standing on the street passing out tracks, or preaching to passers-by is not allowed and will get you arrested and deported. And while the motive is pure, the more “In your face” method of street evangelism might only serve to drive off people instead of bringing them i--depending on how devoted they are to their religion of choice (this includes atheism and humanism).
While on a recent trip to San Francisco, I passed a small group of evangelists on a street corner. While this is not uncommon in a city the size of San Fran, I do have to admit that even I (who grew up going “knocking on doors” with my dad and other members of our church was astonished and taken aback. The manner in which this group was going about preaching to the large crowds out of line socially; a few of them physically grab a few people by the elbows to get their attention, or if a person walked by and ignored the street evangelist entirely, a few times they even took to screaming after that person that they would burn in hell for “denying the Father before men.” I felt a little ashamed to say I shared the same beliefs as these people. And no, I am not ashamed to be a child of God- that isn’t what I’m saying at all. What I’m saying is that it is not the way I envision Jesus ministering to crowds.
While Jesus did in fact do a lot of “street evangelism,” he did it in such a way that invited those to listen, not force them to swallow and accept what he had to say. That said, Jesus also did a lot of relational evangelism. Look his disciples, Mary, Margaret, and Lazarus.
Please do not misunderstand my point. I’m all for reaching the lost in whatever way works. But if street evangelism falls on deaf ears and landing on hard cold pavement unheeded and disregarded, another method is needed. Relational evangelism is becoming more and more effective than ever before. Building a relationship with a person before sharing the gospel is important. How much more likely is a person to listen to a friend whom they know loves them, rather than a stranger trying to tell them how to live their life? People don’t want to be preached down to, they want a friend to love them where they are, just as Christ does. When it comes down to it, at the end of the day, aren't we striving to be more like Christ? So why not start by loving people where they are and inviting them to hear the wonderful good news of Christ dying for them, instead of doing things that may frighten them away.
The world is so thirsty for truth, for a love that will never walk away from them, never tell them they aren’t good enough, pretty enough, or perfect enough. There is no “mold” to fit into to make Christ love us. He loves us and meets us wherever we are and draws us in. The time has come for us to begin viewing evangelism through this scope, reaching out with love and grace to a world that needs Christ now more than ever.
-Lacey Slifkoff
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