Witnessing or Harassing?

I guess you could consider this Part II of my thoughts on Emerging Church. (Part one is here)

I was recently pretty upset at what happened on our campus. We had a guest from the high powers of the denomination here, and he took our staff worship one morning. He shared how important it is to love people, which is a good sentiment, but then went on to illustrate it with two experiences he'd had that morning.

Part of the campus consists of the lower reaches of a mountain, covered in pine and gum forest. Many community members come to walk the slopes with their dogs or friends on a regular basis, parking in a cleared area at the start of the trail. Well, this dear gentleman was walking by and spotted someone sitting in their car, having just enjoyed the fresh air and early-morning sunshine of God's creation. He promptly marched right up and started "witnessing" - no intro needed, thank you very much. I don't think he bothered to find out whether the chap believed first or not, just forged ahead on a mission to "convert" him to his particular denominational point of view.

Previously he'd gotten hold of one of our students, who has faithfully attended church and all the religious goings-on here on campus while studying, participating and enjoying it. Our dear gentleman again made a rush at the surprised student, wanting to know when he was going to "come over to the truth and be baptized".

Well, at this point of his talk it was all I could do not to walk out. (I'm finding more and more I'm the odd one out among the group on campus, not your average ANYTHING anymore...). Sure, this may be the generally-accepted way some folk have of "witnessing", but it just doesn't cut it for me. What right do I have to march up to someone and try convince them that my point of view is The Truth and whatever they believe is wrong? Do I have the right to assume they're not "saved"? Can I assume ownership over their walk with the Lord?

And what about my worship team's "outreach" plans? They're built along traditional church thinking of bringing people in with a good programme, polished performance - hooking them and then hoping they'll stay. "If we have enough programmes, add more of this or that, bring in a few famous speakers, we can get the membership way up!"

Nope, I don't think that's the way to go about it. Big Tent or Bull-in-a-China-Shop evangelism doesn't cut it anymore.

Which brings me to the Emerging Church part of this long speech.

What I see happening in EC is relationship-building as witness, as "conversion" if you will. You don't just march up to someone and try persuade them of anything. You sit with them, get to know them, spend time with them. Perhaps you won't have to say a word - your life as witness will be sufficient (provided your life actually IS a witness!!!). But if you do speak, it will be with a background of knowing WHO you're talking to, tailoring what you say to that particular person's needs and understanding. You're not dashing in where you may not be wanted or needed.

Of course if you witness like this, you are accountable for who you are, what you are, what you say and do, and how you do it. And that's more than just a well-prepared speech with a list of convincing points. It's witnessing to yourself as well as others, and a constant self-checking needed to see that your words and actions line up.

And that's where I think the EC has it right. Sounds pretty underground, as does much of the EC, but it works, it's effective - because it's REAL.

(NOTE: I don't doubt that many folk in non-EC situations do this too, but I really wish more would. I don't know many who do...)