Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Sun, 22 Nov 1992 00:31:14 MST
From:         Madge McBurney <ISPMOM@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Subject:      Change of subject #3

In support of Steven's suggestion...

First of all, I wish to thank those of you who wrote regarding
prison ministries.  I am very encouraged!  I'm praying about
this to see what God wants me to do.
------------------------------------
On Fri, 20 Nov 1992 Theresa said:

>For the sake of all on the list, please pray that we can set aside
>diffs in an attempt to just do a few things:
>1.  Praise Jesus
>2.  Pray for each other
>3.  Request prayer
>4.  Encourage each other to keep going....
>5.  WITNESS!!!!!!
>------------
>MADGE:
>How'd I do???
>(honestly....I don't want this to sound 'uppity')
>Theresa

No need to worry about that Theresa, your love for Jesus comes
through loud and clear!  I'm thankful that God has sent you to
share your insights with us on Christia.

I agree with your 5 points above, and I would like to hear more
from list members regarding #5 (Witnessing).  I'm sure many of
you are currently involved with sharing your faith with a family
member, friend, or co-worker, etc.  I know how frustrating this
can be sometimes, especially when you really don't feel you're
making any headway.  I'd like to hear what others feel are some
of the problems associated with witnessing for Christ.  Believe
me, I know that witnessing can be "problemless" sometimes, but
here are some the stumbling blocks I've run into.

Witnessing to recently married women:

The most stubborn problem I've found with this is a fear in some
newly wed women that becoming spiritual would dampen her marriage.
Two of the women I've witnessed to in this group have told me that
they planned to 'get into the Bible' when they had their children,
but didn't feel a personal need.  Both of these two examples ended
with them saying in effect; "besides, (Bill,Paul) would not approve
of me getting religious".  Has anyone run into this kind of thing?
If so, what do you say to them?

Witnessing to teenagers:

Believe it or not, this seems to get easier for me as I get older.
(Maybe kids nowadays are recognizing me as _being_ older, and are
therefore treating me as their elder!).  But I sometimes feel that
the more bored they are, the easier it is to talk about God's Word.
I also wonder if it's easier because today's kids feel less loved,
(or less secure), and just discussing God's Eternal Love ends up
being a welcome topic for them.  One problem I've experienced with
witnessing to this age group is that many kids today are terrible
readers.  You can't leave a bible behind and just expect them to
pick it up and read it.  It's really quite bad.

Witnessing to a co-worker:

This can be outright dangerous!  I would especially like to hear
from list members who have attempted this.  I've had good and bad
results in witnessing at my work, but I wouldn't advise it unless
one can honestly say to themselves that the level and output of
their work is above the expectation of their supervisor.  One of
the problems I've had with this comes from other people in the
work place who see this special relationship forming between two
co-workers, and who end up feeling left out.  Resentments start
up very quickly in work situation anyway, but this seems to be
a lightening rod for office problems.  One person I witnessed to
at my work did eventually become a Christian, but I always feared
it may have turned off several people who were just bystanders.

Witnessing to family:

I have only one family member who I'm currently witnessing to,
and I've been at it for several years!!  Why does it seem to
take longer with family?  Does anyone have any "short stories"? :-)

In His Love,
Madge McBurney
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