Are you talking to someone who is hungry or guarded?
Seth Godin had an interesting post recently where he contrasted someone who is hungry verses someone who is guarded.
I wonder how this applies to our desire as Christians to reach out beyond ourselves and share the goodnews about Jesus with those around us?
Certainly some people are hungry. They are interested or curious. Maybe they've just had some sort of life crisis and they are looking for some way of understanding it or some power beyond themselves to get them through. I think the idea with them is to be as straightforward, clear and honest as possible. They are already interested.
Others are guarded. They've been manipulated before. They may think they've tried Christianity or religion before and it didn't work. Or they are deeply suspicious because of things horrible things that have been done in the name of Jesus. With this group it's important to be honest and clear as well, but it's also especially important to be generous and low pressure.
In my experience the guarded folks also have deep needs and questions. And if you give them room to think for themselves and get comfortable, the gospel of Jesus often becomes very compelling. But if you pressure them, try to manipulate them or just hit them over the head with a backhand - they run for the hills.
I'm so proud of International Church of Bangkok because we work so hard to be a place that the guarded people can trust. It's not the easiest outreach, but it is very important work of God.
The hungry person at the all you can eat buffet is happy to take one more item. She doesn't spend a lot of time comparing this to that, or saying 'no thank you' or avoiding certain items. If it's interesting, "sure I'll try a little bit. I can always come back."
The guarded person walking down the street avoids eye contact with the homeless person, doesn't answer a request from the petition-signer and certainly doesn't help a Boy Scout with that old lady.He goes on to point out the implications for marketing. You are marketing to people who are either hungry or guarded. They are either interested and open, or they are suspicious and closed. And the attitude can change at the drop of a hat.
I wonder how this applies to our desire as Christians to reach out beyond ourselves and share the goodnews about Jesus with those around us?
Certainly some people are hungry. They are interested or curious. Maybe they've just had some sort of life crisis and they are looking for some way of understanding it or some power beyond themselves to get them through. I think the idea with them is to be as straightforward, clear and honest as possible. They are already interested.
Others are guarded. They've been manipulated before. They may think they've tried Christianity or religion before and it didn't work. Or they are deeply suspicious because of things horrible things that have been done in the name of Jesus. With this group it's important to be honest and clear as well, but it's also especially important to be generous and low pressure.
In my experience the guarded folks also have deep needs and questions. And if you give them room to think for themselves and get comfortable, the gospel of Jesus often becomes very compelling. But if you pressure them, try to manipulate them or just hit them over the head with a backhand - they run for the hills.
I'm so proud of International Church of Bangkok because we work so hard to be a place that the guarded people can trust. It's not the easiest outreach, but it is very important work of God.
