“Shy Evangelist” (c) christianpost.com
In a thoughtful piece about the role of a chaplain or pastor in end-of-life care, Dr. Paul Metzger writes:
Christian ministers may share their beliefs concerning the soul and their personal hopes and beliefs, if asked. But they should be very much on guard against manipulating conversations given that they have “a captive audience.”
I whole-heartedly agree, and think more evangelical Christians would if they examined their practical theology around end-of-life care. In my present ministry setting, the issue of potential manipulation exists because my clientele are children with emotional disturbance because many of them have suffered early childhood neglect or trauma. I am prohibited by law and by organizational procedure from openly proselytizing, but far from this being a concern for me, I view it as a way to check my own ego and insecurities at the door and more faithfully live out my convictions. How so, you ask? Let me explain:
- Jesus said… JESUS… God’s own Son… that Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44) Wait… what?!? I thought it was up to me to set the stage and compel a positive response to the gospel?? Yeah, you can probably pick up on the sarcasm. When I am given the opportunity to share who Jesus is and what he has done to accomplish salvation for those who believe in him it is because God has already been drawing that person to himself.
- Sovereignty. Now, this gets a bit tricky. But, I try to remember this: there is a God, and I am not him. God is pleased to use me to accomplish his purposes, but doesn’t need my input on what those purposes should be and how God should go about his business.
- The tools you use to produce a convert often reflect the type of disciple he or she becomes. Remember Jesus’ words to the Pharisees? “You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are!” (Matthew 23:15) If we use manipulation and a person’s fear to “win them to Jesus,” we get a disciple… maybe. And, if so, what kind? If the righteous Pharisee was at risk of making converts children of hell, should we assume that our motivation is purer than theirs?
- Respecting the faith traditions and beliefs of others does a funny thing to you over time… you learn from them things that inform your own discipleship. My friendships and service to those that are NOT Christian have done more to deepen the richness of my Christian faith than most, if not all, of my relationships with fellow Christians. In a day and age where we self-segregate into our own little ideological enclaves, seeking safety in affinity groups, Christians need to chart a better path… one paved by love and not fear.
So, I suggest those that attend to end-of-life issues or are concerned with sharing their faith in a situation where they fear they may not get another opportunity do two things: first, know your place (what has God REALLY asked me to do in this moment); and, second… pray for an opening. When someone asks to hear what you believe, especially about end-of-life issues, you can know that God has opened a door through the working of the Spirit that you are supposed to walk through. Kicking down a door that hasn’t been opened for you? Well, you can imagine how well that might work!
