"By way of researching my book I’m OK – You’re Not: The Message We’re Sending Nonbelievers and Why We Should Stop, I posted a notice on Craigslist sites all over the country asking non-Christians to send me any short, personal statement they would like Christians to read.
“Specifically,” I wrote, “I’d like to hear how you feel about being on the receiving end of the efforts of Christian evangelicals to convert you. I want to be very clear that this is not a Christian-bashing book; it’s coming from a place that only means well for everyone. Thanks.”
I love this Doc. What a great idea for a book and what a great idea also for researching it, inspiring so much thoughtful and helpful feedback.
“I don’t know whether or not most of the Christians I come across think they’re acting and being like Jesus was – but if they do, they need to go back to their Bibles, and take a closer look at Jesus.” — L.B., Phoenix
Yes Jesus did not tell the woman at the well that she's a sinner and she's going to hell and nor did he condemn the woman caught in adultery. He does encourage people to stop sinning, but first He treats them like they are important and special which they are and He meets them in their need.
Myself, as opposed to the "you're a sinner, you're wicked and you deserve to go to hell" approach, i prefer "you're a child of God and He loves you... how would you like to get to know Him better?". "Can i pray over you for Him to show you His presence and His love tangibly?" "Is there anything you are struggling with that you would like to be instantly set free from such as depression, anxiety, fear or anything else? Is there any pain or other ailment in your body that you would like instantly healed?" [note: i realize that not every believer walks in faith in the areas of healing and deliverance as i also once didn't, but we set our heart on serving the Lord and being a blessing to those around us as best we can, stewarding whatever we have been given, loving them with His heart and by His Spirit in us and then the Lord invariably gives us more].
After helping them to experience the presence of God tangibly and to otherwise experience Him supernaturally as was true throughout the book of Acts and the exciting evangelistic model established therein, i ask if they want to come into intimate relationship with the Creator of all there is and ever will be. I share that Jesus is the perfect sinless risen lamb of God, the Son of God, the Savior of the world and the Lord and that we can come into beautiful intimate relationship with the Son and with the Father through the Son.
For those interested, i offer them a gospel of John letting them know that this is all about the life, teachings and miracles of the Lord Jesus and encourage them to read about Him, letting their heart lead them to fall more deeply in love with Him. I also give them my card inviting them to call if they have any questions or if they know of anybody else that would like prayer for anything. It's not exactly the same every time, of course, but this is an example. I certainly believe it is a much more loving, respectful, exciting and effective model than the one we see most prevalent throughout the mainstream church which has inspired the many negative comments in the article. Believers who have been taught the wrong way who are sincerely wishing to serve the Lord just need to know that there are better alternatives.