Shepherds do not have sheep as offspring. Only sheep have sheep babies.
Who is most responsible for making babies of new Christians? Is that up to the Pastors who are supposed to Shepherd the Flock or to the Flock of God?
I have not seen the latest research on this but we have traditionally discovered that 95% of all new converts come to faith in Christ because of the influence of a family members, friend or close acquaintance. If that is so, why do we expect the people who are paid to lead the church to also produce the new births?
Many people come to faith in Christ every year at events sponsored by Billy Graham or other platform based evangelists. What percentage of those people were "Ripe fruit ready to be picked even before they went to the stadium to hear Billy Graham?
a. 10%
b. 20%
3. 50%
4. 75%
5. 90%
What does it take to influence others toward coming to faith?
a. Testimonies of famous rich people
b. Preaching a good sermon
c. Emotional music
d. Personal problems
e. Having a great plan for witnessing.
f. All of the above
g. ____________ Other
Christian truth, fruit and power. A mixture of research, Bible, stories,testimonies and fun.
2 comments:
What does it take to influence? None of what you have listed IMO. Family member's whose life has been changed - my wife was the greatest influence, and always has been. Other items on the list are encouragement for growth, but not initial factors in conversion for me. 41 years later.
Great feedback. Thanks.
My focus here is to emphasize the fact that we are most influenced to move toward God and good by family and friends than by a Professional Clergyman, Teacher, Counselor, etc.
Positive influence usually comes from positive people. A parent whose love and examples move a child toward God or a spouse whose warm support encourages the other to seek God.
These same people can also be a negative influence if their interaction with us is harsh, anxious, fearful and punitive.you may wish to go to sweetenlife.com and download my book, Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty. It contains several chapters in the marks of positive influence.
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