The difference between outreach and evangelism is essentially this—outreach will almost universally get you pats on the back while evangelism will eventually get you persecuted.
Outreach does not replace evangelism but it can be powerfully productive as a handmaid to evangelism OR an excuse for not doing evangelism. It can be the cowards way of assuaging his guilt and insulating himself from facing his disobedience. Or, it can be the acts of love we do for others simply because we love them and desire to serve them.
Here’s the dilemma.
If you do outreach AS outreach, people tend to see your efforts as agenda laden, in other words, they feel like they are your project rather that your friend. But when outreach occurs as a natural response of love, care, concern, help, or tenderness, people see it as genuine love and friendship.
So, how do we do love people better so that our proclamation of the gospel arrives in the soft bed of our friendship and love for our neighbors?
For help: See . . .
The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World, by Rebecca Manley Pippert
Begin the discussion in the comments.
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