The definition of successful evangelism, according to Crusade, is this: Taking the initiative, to share our faith, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to God.
I have had the opportunity to share my faith many times since I became a Christ-follower in 1992, and I have come to deeply appreciate the "leaving the results to God" part of CCC's statement. My tendency is to approach a spiritual conversation as a transactional opportunity, and my personal definition of success (sometimes conscious, sometimes not) becomes whether the person chooses to follow Jesus. Given that I am wired as more relational in nature, and not generally an effective "deal-closer", I have been frustrated at times in my evangelism efforts.
The more I internalize Crusade's definition of successful witnessing, however -especially the last part - the free-er I become to engage others in relationship and even to care about them as individuals without imposing a standard of performance on the interaction. This is especially true with my family, with whom I have the closest relationships. My primary role as a son and brother is to know them better, to ask good questions and really listen to them. Knowing that I am to leave the results to God when it comes to faith decisions makes a world of difference.
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