What not to do while witnessing

I all for it it when people are willing and able and actually go out witnessing for their faith. Witnessing is one thing I am not good at and not comfortable doing and fail miserably when it comes to sharing my faith. I am not the person to go to to see how to witness. However, I do know what does not work when it happens. Here's a list of what not to do while witnessing that I actually got to see in action.

1) Call your relatives about 10 minutes before you show up and say you are coming over for a visit. Once there, do a bait and switch and start witnessing.

2) Same visit, one of the visitors asks another to get their omnichord and play it for us. Instead of just playing one or two songs, do a half dozen and all pointed at making a decision for Jesus.

3) Without asking if it is ok, placing a Christian sticker on your bathroom mirror.

4) After the singing is done, do a little sermon and a prayer.(all without asking)


I am Christian and I was really offended by this. I think a non Christian would be turned off by Christianity by this. It left me with the thought that if Christianity was about telling the gospel without reaching out to where people are and knowing their situation, I do not want to be a part of it. I don't want to be a Christian if it means forcing the gospel on people. Please don't get me wrong. I believe the gospel should be actively and loudly proclaimed to the whole world. What I have a problem with is whether or not how it is preached is about actually bringing people to faith or is it about how great a Christian is because they are preaching Christ regardless of the cost to those listening. There are untold numbers who are not going to church or believing because of the faithful's bad behavior.

Praise be to God that people still believe despite our failing best efforts. Truth be told, people come to faith by the working of the Holy Spirit and not our efforts. We are only the clay vessels called to the work of proclaiming the gospel and what pitiful vessels we are.

To the non Christian who reads this, please do not judge God by his sinful, imperfect children. God alone is perfect and Holy. To the Christian, let us preach the gospel boldly and loudly with love and concern for those who have not heard: let us not become the reason the non Christians to stay away.