In the renewal ministry movements with which I was involved for decades, there was a prime directive of sorts, which we tried to instill in the participants on our long weekends. “Make a friend, be a friend, bring that friend to Christ“. Straightforward enough. Except for the last item.

Many frequently misinterpreted the mandate. Like many evangelicals, they thought it was their duty to go out into the world and loudly proclaim their Christian faith and browbeat others into becoming Christians. We had to gently dissuade them from such activities. We explained that bringing a friend to Christ was not a question of trying to win an argument with others or scare them into acceptance, but just to live a life of peace and joy.

When people see someone who is happy and content and gentle and loving, they are immediately attracted to them. They think, “there is something about that person. I would like to know more.“

Authentic evangelism is attractive, not coercive. It doesn’t require laws, rules or enforcement. People naturally are drawn to faith that resonates with their being. That is the true way the world will be won for Christ, to live and treat others as he did.