When I go home to visit family, we avoid discussing politics and/or religion for obvious reasons and I’ve decided to carry that practice over to my blog. However, since this is indeed MY blog I can break the rules. Recent conversations with various people have led me to this point.

I was discussing philosophy with a coworker and felt I should tell him that I’m a Christian since many of my views are based in that way of thinking. He said “Oh” and rolled his eyes. I wanted to knock him out with a Bible. However, his reaction caused me to consider why people always have that response. I’ve concluded that it must be Satan because it couldn’t possibly be our fault.

Just kidding.

I work with the high school student’s music ministry at my church. I’m not a choir director, as we do not have a choir. We have a band. This band most closely resembles a rock band, having electric guitars, a full drum kit, electric bass, etc. They play that sinful rock and roll that causes teenagers (driven to insanity by hormones) to rob liquor stores, have babies, and smoke stuff they shouldn’t smoke.
At one time, in the history of the band, a particular girl who was tone deaf insisted she was a vocalist. This left me with a dilemma. This girl was not gifted in the area she had chosen to serve. She was, however, gifted in other areas so I just needed to find out what those other areas were and “plug her in” where her talents would be used best. This process took awhile because I don’t kick people off my team. She eventually quit because her new ministry required too much time. Mission accomplished.

The reason I’ve told this little story is that I see this same thing with adults. However, their lack of talent and gifts lie in other areas where they effect more than a small listening audience.

Most Christians feel they are obligated to evangelize. The Bible teaches that evangelism is a “spiritual gift” and not everyone will have it. Therefore, what we end up with is a large group of “tone deaf” Christians trying to sing a song of salvation to the world. Their song is sour and people are not inclined to listen.

The Bible teaches that our commission is to spread the Gospel or “good news” but the most popular approach to spreading this “good news” is to tell people they are destined to burn in a lake of fire for eternity.

Yeah, THAT’S good news.

But it gets better; we then tell them they can save their soul by killing off their old self and being reborn as a new person. We follow all of this by telling them that God loves them.

So basically, God loves them but really doesn't like anything about them and requires them to be a completely different individual before he'll accept them.

This "good news" is difficult for a person to hear, especially if they are a nice person with high morals and integrity.

For some reason, we can’t understand where this good news loses its appeal.

Over time, I’ve come to view the world as a sinking ship that’s equipped with lifeboats. As a Christian, it is not my job to force people into those boats nor is it my job to convince them to go. Rather, I am to tell them where the boats are and how to get into them. That’s it. Whether they choose to enter the boat or not is purely their decision.

I’ve heard Christians argue, “The Bible says we’ll be persecuted, so this response is to be expected from the non believers”. They wear it like a badge.
I’ve got news for these Christians; The calling of names does not a martyr make.
There’s a huge difference between persecution and ridicule. We mustn’t confuse the two.


A true evangelist will be able to proselytize. We are not all evangelists and therefore may not see our conversations through to proselytization. Those who fancy themselves as evangelists but are not gifted in that area do nothing but drive people farther away from the message; often with a bitter after taste.

That said; I’m left wondering why so many Christians feel the need to push so hard? I don’t know if it’s a self-worth issue where they feel a need to be a hero or if it’s simply a matter of being overzealous. Either way, from now on when someone rolls their eyes at me because I claim faith in God, I think I may be a bit more understanding.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
~Ghandi

"Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."
~St Francis of Assissi