How would you, as a Catholic, present the gospel message?

[Koineman]

Originally Posted by mdkirkbride

I believe Jesus was about 30 before starting his Ministry which lead to the cross about 3 years later.

I see what you're getting at, but during His public ministry, most of the time He was dealing with strangers, people He didn't grow up with. After all, He was itinerant. Since most of the people He ministered to had not known what His life was like, there could not have been any pre-evangelism period when they saw how He lived.

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by Koineman

Even better to say that we need to do both at the same time. Neither the apostles nor Christ waited to let others see their lives before preaching. For Christ and the apostles, there was no pre-evangelism period of letting people see how they lived.

Good point...And I agree wholeheartedly.
Of course one should have a good foundation in the faith before they begin evangelizing. It doesn't have to be perfect...but they should not be novices either. Jesus trained the Apostles before he sent them out. Paul went to "Arabia" for three years before he began his ministry. So there does seem to be something of a "time delay" between learning to live the faith of being immersed (baptizo) in the faith and actually going out and evangelizing.

I would say that a person coming to the faith should begin by living and learning - becoming immersed, not dipped, in the faith. Then begin to formally evangelize if that is where the vocation Spirit moves them. And thus - when one evangelizes - the Love of the Christian experience shines through and draws others to Christ...

Peace
James

[Koineman]

Originally Posted by JRKH

Good point...And I agree wholeheartedly.
Of course one should have a good foundation in the faith before they begin evangelizing. It doesn't have to be perfect...but they should not be novices either.

I agree. I've said for a while now among Protestants I know who do evangelism, that the best training/preparation for evangelism is the study of theology. How can you present the gospel to people if you are unable to articulate its truths clearly and accurately?

[Bix]

Originally Posted by adf417

K-man,

I would almost be willing to bet that the basic message you have always presented is the same message you should continue to present, unless you have found something unorthodox with it. This is another reason we can say “we are all brothers in Christ”.

I believe what you are hitting on is an important element in our ecumenical evangelization that we old-school Catholics do not have but completely welcome. This is what a protestant buddy of mine and myself discuss on how this enthusiasm and boldness can be integrated into the Catholic mentality without losing the orthodoxy established by Christ. This is why you will hear it said that converts to Catholicism make better Catholics.

Peace Bro!!!

[Koineman]

Originally Posted by adf417

K-man,

I would almost be willing to bet that the basic message you have always presented is the same message you should continue to present, unless you have found something unorthodox with it. This is another reason we can say “we are all brothers in Christ”.

I believe what you are hitting on is an important element in our ecumenical evangelization that we old-school Catholics do not have but completely welcome. This is what a protestant buddy of mine and myself discuss on how this enthusiasm and boldness can be integrated into the Catholic mentality without losing the orthodoxy established by Christ. This is why you will hear it said that converts to Catholicism make better Catholics.

Peace Bro!!!

And peace to you! I like the way you think. One of the reasons I started this thread was because of my curiosity about how much my presentation of the gospel might change--not the method, but the message itself--were I to revert to the Catholic Church completely. Obviously references to imputation of righteousness would be eliminated, but I'd think most of it would stay the same, i.e., what God is like, what man is like (sin), who Jesus is, His death and resurrection, faith and repentance, counting the cost.

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by Koineman

And peace to you! I like the way you think. One of the reasons I started this thread was because of my curiosity about how much my presentation of the gospel might change--not the method, but the message itself--were I to revert to the Catholic Church completely. Obviously references to imputation of righteousness would be eliminated, but I'd think most of it would stay the same, i.e., what God is like, what man is like (sin), who Jesus is, His death and resurrection, faith and repentance, counting the cost.

To expand on this just a bit...I think that "differences" are more likely to show up in "follow-up" conversations than in the proposed initial chat with the person you have just met.
One of the things I thought about relating to the initial encounter - and might effect the approach - is what brought on the inspiration to share the Gospel. Was it personal problems in the person's life that came up in casual conversation? Are they curious because they saw me make the sign of the cross before eating - or they noted I was praying the rosary while waiting for the plane?
That is why suggested that the general message I would try to convey would be "love" - God Loves us - wants what is best for us Jesus came, lived with, and died for us out of Love. Love is the foundation for all of the "law and prophets" etc.
These are things, built upon the sure foundation of Love, that "draw one into" Christ and are common across the Christian spectrum, though I am afraid that some seem to focus too much on other areas like "faith alone"......but as I say - delving into those things would likely come later....

Peace
James

[peace2u2]

Originally Posted by Koineman

There's nothing wrong with using a friendly conversation as an in-road to having a spiritual conversation, but if you got to a point where you could share the message, what would you say? That's what I'm after. I'm not asking for the how of evangelism but the what, i.e., the content of the message you would attempt to convey to someone.

I just want to tell you that if you are drawn to bringing the Gospel Truth to the lost and would like to continue this ministry if you became a Catholic Christian, then. . . PRAISE GOD! You are so needed in the Catholic Church right now. You have the boldness that many cradle Catholics do not have in order to share and defend their Catholic Faith.

Here are some of the topics that I have evangelized to people, mostly family and friends (not well received) and to the 2 JW women who come to my door and whose souls I pray for that God's grace will open their hearts and minds to the fullness of God's Truth, The Catholic Church:

1. The Real Presence of Jesus in The Eucharist. This is more than just a symbol. Jesus Himself said so in John Chapter 6 (isn't His Word good enough?) and He lost many followers that day and still does today because in order to understand The Real Presence you have to understand what a Sacrament is (an outward sign instituted by Jesus Christ to give our souls grace or holiness even if we can't wrap our minds completely around all of it. We do so because we have faith. Jesus said to Thomas, "You believe because you see. Blessed are those who do not see, yet believe." Jesus can do anything. He's God! And, Jesus can appear when He will and under whatever form or in any form that He so desires. Thank you Jesus for giving us You in The Holy Eucharist a visible sign of your love and care for us where no one can take you from us.

2. Infant Baptism is something I love to defend as I was once told in a "Non-Denominational" Bible Study that my "Infant Baptism" was just a "sprinkling" and that to be Baptized the right way, I needed to be dunked. I was insulted to say the least. So in a nutshell, I was being told that God does not acknowledge me because my parents brought me to the Church a few weeks old and wanted me to know and love Jesus that they thought this was so important to celebrate right away and not wait. All parents who bring any of their children regardless of the age make a Baptismal Promise to bring their child up in the faith. Alot of parents have fallen asleep.

As far as the common cry about "the age of reason for a child" to "understand" Baptism and to receive Jesus, in the Catholic Church we do have an age of reason and its around the age of 7 or 2nd grade when these children, who Jesus said Don't hinder them, bring the children to me, after 2 years of formal religious education, receive Jesus in The Most Holy Eucharist for the first time and then go on to 8th grade studying to make their Confirmation, receive the Holy Spirit and His Gifts. Good article:

http://www.catholic.com/tracts/infant-baptism

Also, I have a few family members who have left the Catholic Church for Protestant and have been re-baptized. I have tried to explain that there is no such thing as a 2nd Baptism or 3rd, etc. There is just one. It is an indelible mark on our soul and can't be removed and its a sin to do it again.

3. The Sacrament of Holy Orders. Our Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ who do believe in The Real Presence of Christ in The Eucharist and think they are receiving same when they receive in their Church are not because in order to have The Real Presence of Jesus you need a validated ordained Catholic Priest to perform this miracle known as Transubstantiation.

4. Other topics I am drawn to also include: The authenticity of the Catholic Church, the visible church spoken of in the Bible, The 4 Marks of The Church, The Pope's Authority and Infallability. And of course, Mary and why we have statues in the Catholic Church.

Good luck in your ministry and peace.

[mdkirkbride]

I'd define that as Apologetics, defending the faith. I'd think Evangelism (I just noticed 'angel' in that word) more for a non-believer/agnostic type. Catechesis for a fallen away/non-practicing Catholic.

Similar in concept, though.

For Evangelism to a non-believer/agnostic type, I wouldn't think it be much different for the initial conversation coming from a Catholic, Orthodox, or Mainline Protestant. Most of the basic concepts are there for each.

I find that if I'm driving in a location where I can't find a Catholic Radio station and find a Protestant one, I can usually agree with about 97% of what they say because they do have some of the Truth, namely Sacred Scripture. I wouldn't think that would be as high for a Protestant listening to a Catholic Radio Station, because of the fullness of the Truth being conveyed by the guidance of His Church in Sacred Tradition, the Magisterium, and the Sacraments.

[MariaG]

My message?

I am a blood bought, spirit taught, bible toting, scripture quoting, Cathilic Christian.

It is the same basic message you probably have now, with the side benefit of helping other non-Catholic Christians know that Catholics are Christians too. Pray and stay in His grace and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in your conversations.

[gcharles]

I can tell you the first thing you must do is establish the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. This is classified as an historical event.

[Geaux_LSU]

Originally Posted by MariaG

My message?

I am a blood bought, spirit taught, bible toting, scripture quoting, Cathilic Christian.

It is the same basic message you probably have now, with the side benefit of helping other non-Catholic Christians know that Catholics are Christians too. Pray and stay in His grace and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in your conversations.

[Lady Love]

When I meet a person, I try to let them lead the conversation as much as possible. Everyone is crying out to be noticed, heard, and loved. This is the first way that I evangelize. I try to give them the attention they need.

After a little while, they realize that you have no agenda but are genuinely concerned and care for them. If the conversation leads into discussion about God I gladly oblige but if it does not I don't try to force them to discuss it. The ground of their heart may be too hard still to receive the seed of faith. It's God's timing, not mine. He may have to till the soil more. I definitely listen to my heart for the cues of the Holy Spirit to whether or not I should do or say certain things, when to push and when to pull back.

I avoid ARGUING about Holy things at all costs. Fulton Sheen says, "Win an argument and lose a soul."

[gigi4747]

I admire non-Catholic Christians' unabashed desire to share the Gospel and I love that so many former Protestants who have entered the Catholic Church are directing their dioceses' evangelization programs

As far as the "strike up a conversation" in the coffee shop, etc, way of evangelizing, I would imagine it works best if one is honest from the get-go about the purpose of the conversation. For example, Ray Comfort, et al, imo have what is I believe to be a pretty effective way of making people think about God and salvation. I think it's effective in part because they don't negate their work by leaving people with hard feelings, as happens when evangelizers do the old bait and switch. What I mean is that Ray C, et al, make it clear UP FRONT that the conversation is about evangelizing. When the Church of Christ people in college tried to evangelize me by striking up a conversation about something unrelated to belief in God, then suddenly inviting me to their church or bible study or whatever, I always felt angry and used. It made me really distrust the person who had struck up the conversation and definitely made me want nothing to do with them. (This may be off-topic, but I wonder if there is a male-female divide on how one feels about being the "target" of this type of evangelizing.)

At any rate, I love that quote attributed (correctly or not) to St Francis of Assisi. People do speak volumes with their attitude, demeanor, piety, good works, lack of engagement in office gossip, etc, or even dress, which is one reason that religious' wearing of their clerics or habit is such a powerful word-less witness. It's difficult to demonstrate these things to people whom we might encounter only briefly, but these attributes can have a great impact on the people around us who see us more frequently.

I also ditto LadyLove's idea to let others drive the conversation.

[CarolSue]

Originally Posted by kkollwitz

"Imagine you encountered a complete stranger (in a coffee shop, on an airplane, on the street, etc.), and you felt the desire to share the good news about Christ and salvation with them."

Not much time to show someone how well one lives the Gospel. Use words.

If there's one thing my kids know, it's that I don't have a hard time talking to strangers, and leading that conversation to faith. There's no specific "formula" I use, though; I just pay attention to what's going on.

For instance, if the hypothetical patron was having a snit over bad service, I'd likely sympathize to open the conversation, then talk about patience and forgiveness. If they were really enjoying the coffee and atmosphere, I'd bring up thankfulness and serenity. Or maybe use the book they were reading as a catalyst. But before all else, I'd invite the Holy Spirit to give me the words and attitude needed...or simply keep me quiet, maybe in prayer. It's His choice, not mine -- mine is only the will to follow where He leads me.

[Koineman]

Originally Posted by CarolSue

If there's one thing my kids know, it's that I don't have a hard time talking to strangers, and leading that conversation to faith. There's no specific "formula" I use, though; I just pay attention to what's going on.

I realize that often we have to react to the situation around us, and so our starting point in evangelism can easily change from situation to situation and from person to person.

Although our starting point in a gospel presentation might vary depending on who we talk to, the bottom line is that faith is always a response to divine revelation. Since that is the case, there are certain revealed truths that everyone must hear in order to be converted.

So what I'm really getting at is this: What, in your opinion, does a person absolutely have to know to come to faith in Christ?