A Mop Changed My Life
I think the personal testimony approach to evangelism may be falling on some hard times. i experienced this in england and at venice beach, ca. I came home kinda late the other night and when i turned on the tv to unwind a little there was a woman talking about how a mop had changed her life. she was quite convincing. If i were a mopper i'm pretty sure i wouldve purchased one. then, this morning i turned on discovery channel and people were talking about how a ladder had, you guessed it, "changed their life". "No one can argue with your story!" you may be thinking or "what about the blind man of John 9?!" Yea, i know that...in fact ive even been teaching that approach for years. knowing how to share your story is a timeless truth that will always be important and useful. All i'm saying is that i think postmodernism has deconstructed some of its once sacred value. Mops, ladders, vitamins, Jesus...can all change your life. i'm starting to wonder if depending exclusively upon the personal testimony approach is the next 4SL. I dont know, but I was talking w/Jason Fritz (Highlands) about this last night and we both felt that yea, the winds are beginning to blow a little differently. something to pray and think about.
posted by Bobby at 6:29 AM
25 Comments:
Testimonies are extremely useful for building rapport with another person. And yet it doesn't compel others to follow Christ since everyone has a testimony. What makes my story superior to a Muslims? I'm going to bet that Biblical preaching in they style of John Piper will make a huge impact on this generation. (Have you seen the recent cover of Christianity Today? It's a Gen-Y with "Jonathan Edwards is my Home Boy" written under Edwards' face.) I think people want to hear the Truth. And I believe the Truth will make a existential impact upon their lives because it's so convicting. (Much like a deep tissue massage. It hurts so much and yet it feels so good!) Rock on Bobby!
12:30 PM
The trouble with sharing Jesus from the personal level of how it changed your life specifically, is that from the eyes of a non-believer, there are many ways to change your life. "Great, it works for you. That is your perspective, and I'm happy for you." Everyone has their own way.
Non-believers are tired of searching for and trying different things because they all fall short of their expectations, and they give up. They become calloused to sensational stories of enlightenment. Maybe they've considered Christianity, but only from the viewpoint that it is just another of a myriad of ideas of finding fulfillment.
Evangelism can be from a first person point of view, but we need to stop telling it as if is our opinion. People are tired of opinions, yet they hunger and thirst for something greater than the life they know.
It is not my opinion that Christ rose from the dead. It is a fact that God exists, and that Jesus is God. It is a fact that since he created the universe, he knows the best way to live, and that is why I follow him. His way is the best way, and if you follow him too, you will stop searching. Let me give you the facts...
Christianity is not another opinion, but the truth.
1:00 PM
Me too B. Thanks so much for writing about this and glad to hear I'm not the only one. There have been several times when I've been caught off guard in my Yoga class and I'm not sure in how to reply when people tell me about their visions and meditation experiences in yoga. They seem as convinced of their experience as I am of mine. So...what do you suggest Dr B?
1:20 PM
Some who don't want to tell their story don't really have a story to tell. They grew up in the faith and it's just always been a part of their life. I have a dramatic conversion story and it could blow a non-believer away. Kind of like the reaction that aprilbreeze had when she heard the yoga stuff. Becoming non-believer's friends and just walking beside them or opening your home to someone and living your life in Christ next to them like the people that led me to Christ did...that's what works. Being close to people who can see that you have something they don't have. The people that led me to Christ didn't have a dramatic "story". They were just authentic, joy-filled Christians who included Christ in every part of their lives. Their lives had a depth that I had never seen in my family. It was attractive. And that's what drew me to Christ.
Jenn
1:50 PM
It's an interesting idea. Having not spent a lot of time considering it, my initial reaction is that the personal testimony is tired if we keep using it the way we have been. Meaning, if we continue to present it like we present the 4SL, then people might be turned off. For example, it sounds contrived to say "Let me tell you how Jesus changed my life." I do believe though, that telling our personal story is extremely effective today and will continue to be if we ask the right questions, listen to others and then share the story of personal life change as a response. I think one simple approach is to drop the word "testimony" and use the word "story." Testimony sounds like a court of law, and probably would only make sense in sharing with an attorney. Another issue is whether we use our story to prove a point or to leave an impact. If we are trying to make a tightly wrapped and polished argument in our story that Jesus is the answer to life's problems, then we will probably lose impact. But, if we tell our story not intending necessarily to prove something but rather to make an impression on the listener, then I think our story can be useful in stimulating spiritual thinking and discussion. Anyway, those are two issues that come to mind initially about your blog. It's an interesting idea, and I will give it some more thought.
3:18 PM
Sometimes I think, as Christians, we have come to believe that "my story" is more important than "His story." Granted I was saved back in the '70s with the hell, fire and brimstone Baptist theology, but I think there is something to sharing the story of Christ and why He came to save us. We all have our own story of what He did for us and what He saved us from, and we should share that. But, we shouldn't stop short and not tell people His story.
Just a thought...
7:30 PM
Yo brother. I think that we just have to put testimonies in their proper place. They are powerful because people can see how Jesus has really changed us. However, we cannot stop at testimony alone because Christianity is objectively true and not just subjectively true. Having said that, I also think that we must not make the mistake of now rejecting them outright. I think that testimonies should be used as one part of the overall apologetic that we Christians use individually and corporately. It seems like this is the biblical model and mandate. -Greg
8:33 PM
Our story….hmmmmm…will people tire or want to hear about it? Of course they do !!! People, especially today, want to know what “works”; we are all striving for a life that is fulfilling and a heart that’s content. If we weren’t curious, magazines like “People” wouldn’t be flying off the shelves. Our lives influence everyone around us and we don’t know HOW God is going to use our story but others ARE always watching. The love of God only looks “one way” and people are drawn to it! I don’t believe that a mop or ladder can’t change our hearts and minds with the same impact as Our Lord BUT who knows, maybe it is THAT story that gets someone to THINK about the Truth; maybe it’s that story that ignites someone’s search. If we surrender God WILL do the work. We don’t need to concern ourselves with when or how. As Joy shared, we just need to allow ourselves to be “vessels”. Testimonies have worked since the beginning of time……why else do we read the stories of Noah, Abraham, Ruth, and Esther? Why else do we turn to Psalms when we are discouraged or want to worship? Stories of people’s experiences are what we relate to; they teach, encourage, and give us hope. Regardless of whether or not a story becomes commonplace…I will continue to share and leave the planting and watering up to my Father…my job/our job is just to continue sowing…
9:37 PM
Bobby, I completely understand what you said. I like what Greg Malloy Family and Steph said (sorry I dont know them personally). Actually everyone has made some really good points. 1. its not what you say, but how you say it, 2. as always, as you well know, its in the power of the Holy Spirit, but as you have so well pointed out, 3. "in the natural world" as you always used to say, the personal testimony in and of itself is probably not as effective as it once was. This has been my experience too.
Star (remember me? flood. you are missed)
10:08 PM
I had a co-worker say something really interesting to me last week. She said, "its been so refreshing to watch you go through your crisis of faith this year."
I work with an amazing group of people, most of which aren't believers. But we are close enough that we share our life-stories with each other everyday. And they know I have been having a huge disconnect between how the Americanized Christian Culture doesn't seem to sync up with the essence of Christ--how He's so beautifully compassionate, non-judgemental and selfless. They watch me continually question myself (my actions and belief systems) trying to find Truth.... and many times they will even engage with me in the honest questioning.
Anyhow, when my friend made that comment, I wondered if maybe the Spirit can move stronger when we are questioning together in honesty and vulnerability... instead of talking like we have all the answers??
Thanks for the post... and thanks for continuing the questions with us... I miss ya, B!
3:42 AM
Now more than ever, Christians need to get dialed in to the importance of a lifestyle that is the application of the testimony.
Jimmy Carter has been one of my heros every since I saw a documentary on Habitat for Humanity. It was Jimmy's action based on his faith in Jesus that made the testimony so powerful. "The world will know you are my disciples" kind of stuff.
Aristotle called it the "ethos of a speech" - when a person's lifestyle matches thier words; the listeners are profoundly impacted.
Maybe we are going about this the wrong way. Maybe we should be taking the advice of St. Francis of Assissi who said, "Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words."
10:23 AM
jesus didn't change my life. he didn't. he has shaped it from the beginning. growing up in a christian home and all. typical church brat w/out a testimony. i've struggled long w/ the idea of jesus changing my life - and you know, i don't need to have my life changed to follow him. i'll follow him for a multitude of other reasons.
7:00 AM
Dave tonn (sp?) makes a good point but all I can say is that Jesus drastically changed my life. Maybe because some people grw up in Christian homes and went to church its more of a metamorphosis or something (like a butterfly) but for me...lets just say I was a woman at the well kinda gal. But when I drank the Living Water of Jesus - I changed. It was quite noticeable to all of my friends at ASU. "Youre so different now!" ... "You've changed"... So, all that to say, in contrast to the most recent comment, He changed me :) It was an instantaneous chang. I felt pure, clean, I felt joy. Things I had never experienced before. It was all NEW to me. He changed me! and, btw, i logged in to see if you'd made any conclusions yet. Still waiting Dr B.
7:44 AM
p.s. I might add that my b/f broke up with me because of my sudden "change". Jesus changed everything! Who i would date, how I would live, my outlook on life, All of it...Jesus changed :)
7:47 AM
It seems like what people want is something that is GENUINE. Maybe the mop is great, but does it really change your life? Probably not, so after you mop with it a few times and it falls apart, then you look to something different.
If I tell someone that Jesus changed my life, and we have a relationship, and they see that, wow, there is something different here. Then maybe Jesus did change my life.
We are dealing with a generation that is becoming less and less impressed with glitz and glamour...they are more impressed with people who are real. People who live what they believe.
I think the personal testimony is still valuable, but I don't think we will be able to do it as effectively outside of relationships and community.
9:09 AM
I have personally never liked the statement, "Nobody can argue with your story." I have always felt the
testimony is merely an introduction, a link, to the gospel. It is the thing that takes you from talking about business to talking about Jesus, from sports to Jesus, etc. I have never felt that a testimony is enough. A testimony is a teeing off point when you recognize a link between the current conversation and something in your life that Jesus has affected. It tests the spiritual temperature of the person, or gives them the opportunity to ask follow up questions. But, then a person needs to be willing to move on to just the gospel and Biblical answers to questions, or at least what they know of the gospel and the Bible (I don't want to imply someone has to know everything to share their faith). I have shared my testimony and had that alone scare people away, so it's not always non-threatening. And I shared my testimony and had people start asking me a string of questions about Jesus and faith. It's really what happens after the testimony that matters, I think.
Chrisian S.
10:11 AM
Bobby. Here's another thought. Mops make life easier. Jesus sends his disciples to the crucifix.
7:59 AM
Some good thinking. My bottom line is this...God uses any and all means to bring people to himself (propoisiton, story, apologetics, lifestyle, etc...you name it, he uses it). We must not forget that when a group of jews were inquiring of Jesus about salvation he told them "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." A few verses later he said "truly i say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." In John 14 and 16 it is the Holy Spirit who is the ultimate evangelist testifying to the world about the son. I have seen how personal testimonies have brought revival to entire villiages in Easter Africa. A woman named Stephanie (in Easter Congo) has nine kids and a disabled husband. No home, no food, no money and no future. She is given a low interest loan through the church and learns to make and repair shoes. God blesses her, she comes to Christ and begins to tell her story and many are saved in her villiage as a result. In some places and with some people the sotries work. In other places with other people God uses other means to draw people. This past weekend I was preaching through Jesus' prayer in John 17. He prayes that we will be a unified church and in our unity "the world may believe that you sent me." Our unity as followers of Christ of all ages and worship preferences is used by God to draw people to himself. This is my first even blog post...this is fun. God's blessings to you brother bobby!!
11:36 AM
Hey BB,
Maybe - just maybe the post modern world is unwittingly following the example set in the bible. ??? ... HUH??? Anybody in marketing and business development knows that if you want your product to have instant credibilty you have no better chance at success than when you have a 'credible' testimonial from a credible personality in your marketing plan. Now the key of course is making sure the product is actually worthy of the testimonial and that the giver of the testimonial is credible to the listener. With out BOTH of those attributes your product will have some challenges to succeed. Our problem as Christians as you might have guessed is that we humans have a tendency to "market" church and the "love of Jesus" in order to reach the unchurched because "if that method works for Fortune 500 companies it'll work for us". Granted, it may work in the short term to "grab their attention" but, from my perspective, in the long run this simply positions the look and feel of the church to the uninformed on par with -- you guessed it -- the mop commercial. We should be able to shoot a little higher for the creator of the universe in my humble opinion ... :)
Later Bobby --
Scovi out
6:56 PM
Interesting stuff I am seeing as a first timer on the blog. I believe what Joe said was pretty accurate. I believe personal stories and testimonies create rapport and could even add a "human" touch to the story of the Gospel, but they are not the Gospel by themselves. In the worlds of relativism and postmodernism, a clear and straightforward "telling" of the gospel is even more critical. I like what one of the guys from Willow Creek says: The Gospel is inheitently offensive. I don't won't anything I do or say to make it more offensive, but I also don't want anything I do or say to make it any less offensive.
8:44 PM
Popular topic, BB! I received this link from 3 people this week.
I’m glad to see that many are in unison on the fact that the personal testimony must be coupled with a consistent godly example and lifestyle giving proof of the change. No one wants to follow a hypocrite’s lead rather people in the world want to see a difference. Our lifestyle is our testimony in the world in which we live.
I have to agree with JG’s initial comment and Christian’s in that a testimony is a means to relate to an individual…for us to show our relevancy in their world. Every good speaker first engages his/her audience, then educates them. It’s that education, or God’s Truth that ultimately convicts. God chooses us, and when it’s time to open ears, He will do so with His Truth no matter what methods are used.
I think you answered your own question in your post…God’s Word is timeless. He obviously saw the relevancy in personal testimonies otherwise He wouldn’t have given us 1 Peter 3:15 as Joy quoted, but by no means should that be the sole means. I think we need to use it in conjunction with the rest of His timeless Truth. Perhaps the reason this generation is so interested in testimonies is because they seek proof that something will work. I’ve encountered this recently with a girl who already heard the gospel, but wanted to know my story. Thus, providing “benefits” instead of just “features” is the key. I’m sure that’s what this mop lady that you speak of did…provided benefits of this “life changing” mop as opposed to just pointing out the features.
Thanks for the mental stimulation, BB!
7:01 PM
one more thought...maybe new mediums for communication are in order.
9:45 AM
B,
Our testimony is one of the most powerful things we have to justify our faih - I was blind now I see....I think the problem is very simple..Christians HAVE NOT been trained on how to share their story. If a person shares their conversion to faith in Christ, and has some biblical verses to back up their story, I feel that's all we have to offer. The HOLY SPIRIT changes hearts, gives them a desire to follow Christ, we DON'T change hearts, period. If we can perfect our personal testimony, ALLOW GOD TO BE GOD! God will allow our testimony to help introduce the Holy Spirit. We are never persuading anyone into the faith. The reason why personal testimonies aren't working that well today, is once again so very simple - WE SUCK AT DOING IT! Sorry - the truth hurts! How many of us really sat down and practiced our testimony? Ahhhhh I would say a small minority has. GET PREP'D, PREPARE, PRACTICE AND LET THE HOLY SPIRIT DO IT'S JOB.
2:00 PM
Telling people what God did for you is good But not what will convince them of their need of Christ. "The law is our schoolmaster bringing us to Christ" (my paraphrase). People need to see that they have broken God's law (10 commandments do a nice job), and that they are therefore not permitted into heaven but headed for hell-a grave situation (pardon the pun).
Once they see and realize this for themselves, then (and only then)you can present them the hope that Jesus brought.
2:11 PM
Concluding thoughts…hmm. Well, we’re certainly on to something and thx so much for the interaction – its been very insightful. Let me sum it up this way: Last Sunday I had dinner with a friend of mine who had an interesting story. About 4 yrs ago he missed a flight in SFO and there at the gate someone had left behind a book on happiness by the Dalai Lama. He read it, and it for real, it changed his life. He walked away from corporate America, started surfing more, took care of some personal issues, and tracked down a daughter he hadn’t seen in 15 yrs and got re-involved in a very good way w/her life. And he’s very involved w/some charitable organizations. I know this guy …and he is different. So…what’s your answer? For now, I don’t believe we should ever be looking for any kind of spiritual silver bullet, yet we should be wise. Obviously we should always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within us and it should be done in a way that makes sense outside the Christian sub-culture, but as cheesy as it sounds I think that if we’re talking about people within our circles we need to simply (…ready) love more. I was discussing this w/Greg Malloy and he made a good point. “Its not so much that the personal testimony has fallen on harder times but that the good news is falling on harder people” he said. I agree. They are cynical and skeptical. Gen X (originally known as the lost generation because of broken homes and no Christian influence) grew up. I think that maybe we need to let more people see what happens when the teachings of Jesus intersect with our lives. Befriend more non-Christians. Yea, i know, "that's really rocket science B." "You should get a nobel peace prize or something...how brillant." "Gracias por nada." But...bc its cliche doest make it untrue. The world needs to witness what happens when the natural world is invaded by the supernatural…i.e., the Kingdom of God, you know, the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount. And Love. For now, that's all i know.
3:23 PM
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