But this should not detract from the importance and power of personal testimony. Nothing moves people the way a personal story of accomplishment does whether it is overcoming adversity or doing something for others, which is touching and moving. Nothing influences us like someone s experience. There is a note of authenticity to it. If it is true for him it could be true for me.
Personal testimony is a powerful thing.
One reason I think is that personal testimony in the church is often associated with self-righteousness. If you were to stand up this morning and tell us about an experience with prayer, how God answered your prayer for healing or wisdom, I honestly think people would listen and thank you. Phoniness creeps in and soon we are wondering how much of this is valid and how much of it is designed to build a new building for the show s host. Testimony is at the heart of the Christian faith and for you or your neighbour to give such a testimony does not suggest that you are a religious fanatic. In fact it was the testimony of the first witnesses to the resurrection, starting with the women, that brought the church into being.