Here’s a wee quote from a blog I read that’s been kicking around in my head today:
Witnessing is what I was taught to do - to evangelize and tell people about Jesus. Witnessing assumes a fundamental chasm between yourself (as the one with all the knowledge and insight) and them (who need converting.)
The author goes on to distinguish between “witness” and “with-ness”, the latter being the simple act of being with people and being connected to each other. We should not allowing the narrowness of our North American experience to make us think we are better or smarter or holier than those who are poor or neglected in this world. Withness is about simple caring and compassion. Not about me imparting my “vast wisdom and knowledge of spiritual things” to someone who I believe knows nothing of spiritual things.
We are mistaken if we think that Christians are the only spiritual people in the world. Or that there is no truth in the spirituality of other people in the world. Truth is everywhere. And wherever truth is, we can all claim it. This is a little nugget I picked up from Velvet Elvis. I have a post coming on that yet.
April 13th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
I just have to say that I agree!!! I used to believe that we had to witness and hand out tracks (which I hated doing, and did only once after becoming a Christian). And we are not smarter or better or holier. I am only beginning to understand how much God has done for me. I would much rather be a withness.
April 14th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Probably the worst thing that christians do in witnessing is forgetting that we are ALL sinners, and ALL in need of God’s grace.
Also, Jesus wasn’t known for door-knocking and pamphlets, nor beating people down with insults to point out their sinfulness. He delivered His message through His actions of Love. If christians are called to be Christ-like, then in following His example we, naturally, would all behave as “withnesses”. I agree with the idea of “withness”. It’s a great way to look at the idea of showing(instead of preaching at people) the Savior’s love with those around us.
I also feel that “witnessing” has been given a bad rep by the definition being distorted, and then inevitably being carried out the wrong way. Take, for example, the legal system. The “witness” takes the stand and swears to tell the truth. Not his opinion of the truth, not a commentary, not his own judgment.
Being a witness for Jesus should be similar. When we share the Good News, it should start with our actions (which speak loudest) and when people want to know why we are full of love and joy that’s when we become the “witness” who tells only the truth of Jesus, without condemnation or judgment. Like how Jesus showed us to.