Warning: avoid these mistakes when you preach the Gospel

Ananias restoring the sight of Saint Paul by Pietro De Cortana - Image via Wikipedia

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.  He’s a great example when we want to learn ways to effectively preach the Gospel.  In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (9:1-22), Paul describes his conversion story in his own words – how he was questioned by Jesus and afflicted with temporary blindness on the road to Damascus.

Paul’s conversion is a dramatic story for Christians to keep in mind as we accept the command of Evangelization from Jesus.

In the Gospel reading,

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

In Paul’s letters, we can recognize a pattern of conversion.  Here’s his secret:  Paul made many close friends.  He constantly names them in his letters.  He led a life of Christian devotion.  By his example, his close friends were attracted to Christianity.  As Matthew Kelly wrote in Rediscover Catholicism, “Friendship is the original model of evangelization.”

In our zeal to share the Good News and win converts, I hope Christians remember the timeless example of Paul and many others who have come before us.  So, in honor of the conversion of Saint Paul, I offer a list mistakes to avoid when we preach the Gospel:

» ”Looking” for potential converts – I avoid keeping a mental check list of people who “need converting.”  I do not know what is in the heart of another person and to presume anything will be a disaster.  The result is a deep offense that is difficult to overcome.  So I must remember the advice of Jesus from Matthew 5:1-5 and first remove the plank from my eye and focus on building habits of virtue in my life.

» Acquaintance conversion - For most of the people I know, their spiritual life is one of the most personal matters.  So, most people are not comfortable to discuss their faith casually.  It requires a deep trust in order to discuss faith.  Trust is not something we develop in one or two hallway conversations at work; rather, trust depends on the amount of time I spend with someone and my ability to honest and genuine during time spent.  There are no shortcuts to building trust.

» Preaching “at” people – Raise your hand if you do not want someone to listen to you.  This is what can result when I tell people what they “should” do with their faith.  A more effective approach is to listen to someone when they want to ask questions about my faith.  Look for opportunities, rather than forcing them into a conversation.

» Remember free will – God gave us free will and invites us to follow him.  He does not coerce us.  So we should not try to coerce others to follow God.  It does not work.

Christian Bible, rosary, and crucifix by Issagm via Wikipedia

Christianity is a lifestyle and a choice.  My hope is to practice virtue so my lifestyle may be an example that attracts others to Christianity.  In this way, I hope to emulate Saint Paul and I believe (and have experienced) that it will yield plenty of opportunities to preach the Gospel.

†

You might also like these related posts from cinhosa:

When you are summoned by Jesus

Can our testimony change hearts and minds?

7 Quick Takes

Why we are failing to convert others to Christianity

Today we remember Saint Paul

Related articles

• “God Created Saint Paul and Then Broke the Mold” (insightscoop.typepad.com)
• “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
• 366 Days with the Lord 2012: Jan. 25 (lovelyframie.wordpress.com)
• An Atheist’s Case for Religion (tuscaloosaanglicans.wordpress.com)
• Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle (catholicjules.net)