This is one of the best of the 20+ books I own on evangelism. This book, in effect, begs Christians to think and act as Jesus did. Historically we’ve wired our thinking to consider the “quick-hit” as evangelism. Get the tract in front of the victom or execute the well planned sales pitch such that the weak can’t back down.

Irresistible Evangelism: Natural Ways to Open Others to Jesus

Steve Sjogren / Dave Ping / Doug Pollock, Group Publishing, 2004

I found much of this book profound in its simplicity. I.E. would have us think about evangelism in a way that’s consistent with how Christians should be living their lives in any relationship. The problem is that we don’t want to commit to relationships as our calling in life. The result of this is the “quick hit” approach (which scares most reasonable people to death).

The authors look at building relationships in four steps:

First – the stranger level. Acts of kindness and non-judgmental listening.

Second – the Acquaintance level. Here we are building on the possibility of friendship as we become more active in our listening – we ask questions to understand them better.

Third – the Friend level. Here we gain regular access to them and ask questions of wondering (questions that help them engage in the deep issues of life).

Fourth – the eternal level. Here, within the friendship, we are transparent about our lives and the relationship we have with Jesus. Here is where they see Jesus in action and we invite them to believe.

Many books don’t hold my interest – this one did. It’s about more than simple evangelism. It’s a challenge to live life as Jesus did – dedicated to loving the people God has given to you.