Have you heard or “relational evangelism”? What is you opinion of it?

Question

Relational evangelism is when Christians seek to make friends with non-Christians for the express purpose of converting them.

They even have books on the best ways to do this.

Answer 1

I think it's sick and they have no understanding of what friendship actually is if they're using it in such a twisted way. How sad for them.

I also think that if anyone tried to convert me after becoming my friend would get cut out of my life in about three seconds. I've been betrayed by friends before. It's no skin off my nose to cut the dead branches from the tree.

BB

Answer 2

I think it is the best way - I would question the way you put it. I have never seen any books on this subject, but there are a lot of wacky books out there claiming Christianity, so it wouldn't surprise me.

I personally just make friends with whoever I'm around like anyone else would. Relationship building is the best way to let someone know who you are. In a friendship, one can see your character qualities and if they like them, they ask why. I don't intentionally evangelize, but I have found that people do question me about my different behavior. At that point, I have the opportunity to share why I believe what I do and how it affects my life.

Would your rather just have a friend and when you feel like it, find out about their beliefs, or have someone that you don't know knock on your door to tell you about God?? Which one would hold more relevance to your life? Which would you be more open to receive??

The intent (in my own life) is not specifically to convert someone, if it happens, great, but I don't go out looking for it.

Answer 3

this "relational evangelism” is not particulary associated with christianity, also existed in many other religions, like islam.
this is a specailized field, and people went under training how to convert others.

Answer 4

Yep, books, websites, workshops.. I don't have a high opinion of Christianity in general. It's a horrible disease that infects millions of people with hate, superiority, exclusivity, fear, degradation and a persecution complex. This type of thing only proves my point even more.

Answer 5

I've hear of that although I think it was called something different. The ones who do that (NOT ALL OF THEM DO) are frauds and liars. If their only purpose in friendship is to try to convert me....I want nothing to do with them. It's deceitful and underhanded....everything a "Christian" is not supposed to be.

Answer 6

hmmm ... never heard it put the way you have it. But I think most denominations instruct the church body on discipleship. I think the goal is to make believers out of non-believers, with respect to the Good News. It sounds like a rational relation too me.

Answer 7

I don't think it would work, frankly, unless the two people were young or older. People in their prime are typically the hardest to convert but young people and old people (studying for the FINAL exam) are quite easy to convert.

I wouldn't appreciate someone becomming my friend out of an agenda, but that's me. I want my friends to like me for who I am, not who they wish I was or want me to be.

Answer 8

Think about this. If you knew the way to live forever, and you knew that everyone without this would die and burn forever. Wouldn't you share it with your friends? Making friends for this purpose alone isn't very cool, but you're not a very good friend if you want to let your friends to suffer eternal damnation.

Answer 9

You are right. I just checked out a website. "prayer, care, and share" seems to be the 'strategy'. Ah, I'm not exactly shocked but I didn't know they actually had a word for it.

Answer 10

Sounds pretty deceitful.

However, I'll laugh when it backfires and the Christian finds out how butchered their system really is.