by Calvin Landrus, SRCFC National Director
A couple of Sundays ago, my wife and I had just taken our first spin in a used, two-person kayak that we had bought from an outdoor program when we encountered the "environmental evangelist." I couldn't help but think that her approach left much to be desired just like some Christians approach when they are witnessing.
Here is what happened. Jan and I had carried the kayak close to the parking lot, I had pulled our trailer close by and we had the kayak loaded and strapped down when she began to engage me in conversation (or should I say confrontation). I'm not sure exactly how long it had been but it couldn't have been more than three minutes from when I hopped out of the van until she shouted from fifty feet away, "You have been here for quite a while, please shut your motor off."
Now, I will give her the benefit of the doubt that what I was doing by leaving the motor running for a few minutes was a significant environmental issue. However, her approach was in no way going to allow for her message to get through for my reaction was a "Are you talking to me?" look. She didn't appreciate that and she said, "Why are you giving me that look?" Well, my look changed to, "Really lady? Come on, just let us be."
She didn't appreciate that look either and began to approach us with more commentary. I asked her to go away but she didn't and eventually my wife and she got into a face-to-face argument. The last thing I needed to do before we left was to find and attach the red-flag to the end of the kayak. I did that as quickly as I could (which wasn't easy with a mind that was focused on the confrontation rather than the task at hand) and drove away. I never did turn my motor off.
One of the best passages on being a witness for Christ is by the Apostle Paul and its reference is Colossians 4:2-6: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." The importance of being wise in the way we act towards outsiders can't be overstated.
Since I was parked with my van running, the "environmental evangelist" must have known we were outside of the fold. How much better would it have been had she come up to us ask about how our kayak trip was and then gently suggested that it might be a good thing for us to turn off our vehicle?
What is our take away for being a witness of Christ? The first step in engaging a person about the faith perspective is always, always make a relationship connection that gives you the platform from which to speak. All of the witnessing stories in the Bible have connection. In some situations this connection can take years and others times it can be as little as fifteen seconds. It's counter-productive to witness without the connection because the message is not even heard.
Another thing the "environmental evangelist" did wrong was to begin to argue with my wife. From our reactions, it would have taken a brain-dead person to not notice that we weren't ready to receive her message. But instead of waiting for another time and place, she kept pressing the point to where now we feel like leaving our car running in the driveway just to spite her. Not really, but it did leave us with a bitter taste in our mouth.
When we are speaking with someone about faith, what do we do when they become resistant? Stop! The last thing we want to do is to argue. It will just give them more of reason to harden their heart. This doesn't mean that just because there is passion in the conversation that they are resistant. When questions stop being asked is when it crosses over to conversation that needs to be stopped and prayerfully look for another time or leave them in God's hands. Because ultimately, God is responsible, with the Holy Spirit working in their hearts, to bring our climbing friends to Him.
There is one thing I would like to compliment the "environmental evangelist" on, her zeal. Her fervor for a cause she believed in should be recognized. It seems like way too many Christians lack the intensity and passion for Christ and His message that naturally causes us to be a witness. Paul's admonishment in Colossians of "making the most of every opportunity" needs to be taken to heart.
I will close by listing the Five Great Commissions that Jesus gave us. A review of them should move us out of apathy and into action in the moments when the Holy Spirit asks us to speak and we are tempted to not to. They are:
- "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt. 28:19-20 (NIV)
- "You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere." Mark 16:15 (LB)
- "With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me." Luke 24:47 (NLT)
- "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." John 20:21 (NIV)
- "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NIV)
This year we are meeting in conjunction with Idaho Mountain Festival which is a four-day event where climbers, as well as trail-runners, can gather to enjoy endless climbing, trail races, activities, giveaways, music, meals, and workshops. Our outreach will include providing a meal and having an outreach table at the trade fair, as well as on mission climbing throughout the festival. Conference will start Monday, Sept 24 with group camping and climbing through when the IMF starts on Thursday, Sept. 27. 
