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August 2010 Issue

Knowing What to Say
by Bobby H. Welch

Have you ever been frustrated because you just didn't know how to effectively present the Gospel? Consider this testimony from an anonymous brother who you might be able to relate to.

I'm daydreaming at the water cooler when suddenly Lisa, from sales, interrupts my thoughts with a big hello. I turn and look into her smiling face and return it with a smile of my own.

"What's got you smiling?" I ask. I like Lisa, she's always so friendly.

"Oh, I had a great weekend. My husband took me out to a really cool restaurant for dinner, for no reason, on Saturday night. Then on Sunday morning, we went and bought a new fifty-inch plasma TV. I'm one happy girl!"

Sunday morning ... I was in church on Sunday morning. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, I blurt out, "Lisa, do you know Jesus?"

She looks hard at me, her smile slowly turning into a frown. "What do you mean? I know who Jesus is ...." She's now uncomfortable, unsure, and I'm feeling awkward. But I guess I've no other choice but to continue.

"I mean do you know Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Him?"

"No, I don't, but that's personal. It's not your business."

Great, now she's offended. I start to panic, but then from nowhere, I say, "Lisa, if you'd told me you were going to buy your TV, and after you bought it, I told you that the store down the street was $200 cheaper, would you be mad at me?" She frowns again, studying me. "Well, of course I'd be mad at you," she laughs. "You're my friend. You're supposed to look out for me."

I nod. "Lisa, it's just a TV. When I talk to you about Jesus, I'm talking about your soul, about eternity." I look into her eyes trying to project love and concern. "I'm looking out for you." It was almost a whisper.

We look at each other for what seems like a long time. Then she gives me a sort of half smile, turns, and walks out.

I let out a huge sigh. I thought maybe we had connected there, but then maybe I've really blown it. I just don't know. I really want to be a soul winner and be a good Christian, but I'm so nervous. Witnessing is so hard; I just make a fool of myself. If only I knew what I was doing.

Have you felt this way? What do you suppose happened here? Actually, this was a testimony I heard. This man knew that he had to learn how to share the Gospel in an effective way and he was signing up to do just that.

I personally believe that Lisa came back to him and asked more questions. After training he could ask, "Lisa, in your personal opinion what do you think it takes to go to heaven?" This would be followed by some good conversation, sharing the Gospel, and leading her straight to Jesus. No more feeling that witnessing is hard or that you might make a fool of yourself. Many of you know what a blessing it is to feel free to share and not be handicapped by not knowing what to say.

Our Convention is focusing on soul winning so we need to do our part and step up to the plate and get busy being about the Father's business. The church needs to "be the church," not a glorified social club but a passionate soul winning, hell fighting, church. Otherwise, we are just taking up space in the community and soon fighting over the color of the pews and the sound of the music. I will continue to say, "There is nothing wrong with a church that soul winning will not cure."

So get busy — be blessed! Remember, soul winning is like going to Walmart ... you always come out with more than you went in for. God bless you. Go get them!

Bobby H. Welch is pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach, Florida, Strategist for Global Evangelical Relations with the SBC Executive Committee, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and originator of the FAITH evangelism strategy.

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