Matthew 28: 16 - 20 "Then the 11 disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV)
Therein is what in Christendom is referred to as the 'Great Commission', whereby Jesus is encouraging followers to teach the ways of God. I don't know about you, but my assessment of any overt evangelistic-nature on my part leans toward such being non-existent. It does however feel like I was let off the hook to some degree by our new Interim, Rev. Marlayna. Her mentioning the forming of groups to study and come to an understanding of God's intention +/or thinking from the Bible, rather than proselytizing aligns better with my style . My tendency is, so toward primarily sharing my faith within a Church community, that I can get uncomfortable with someone else sharing their faith in my company. Is that co-dependent or what? When I'm well connected with this God of our understanding, I'm likely rooting for acceptance or even conversion, but stress when I've surmised that a recipient is not ready or will openly reject that which I hold so dearly.
The truth is, I want folks to come become seekers (of God's way) out of their desire rather than their desperation, although I know the latter seems more likely and either is okay. I oft attribute to St. Thos. Aquinas, the idea that we are to, "Speak the love, grace and mercy of God always, and when necessary, use words." Perhaps it's easy to confide to this natural world and to doubt that perhaps the way of Jesus cannot prevail, but haven't we [culturally] been as an 'other enlightened-society', now reaping sheaves of that old behavior, currently. We can change, and it's likely we will do so together! My prayer is that when asked, why I act so differently, I will "be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy." (1 Pet. 3:13-14; MSG)