The National Institute for Student Ministries has discovered a new method of evangelism. The Evangelism Linebacker deals directly with student fears about sharing their faith. As the EL says (after knocking some people out who don't evangelize), "Get off the floh' and go doh' to doh'"
(HT: The Thinklings)
But are we all truly called to do door-to-door evangelism? How effective is that?
Also, are we all called to evangelize the same way? I doubt it.
Joe, thanks for sharing this.
I saw the Christmas one at church - it was even funnier.
Has no one heard of Terry Tate, Office Linebacker? Direct rip-off.
So, the latest pep-talk to get door-to-door salesmen high-pressuring for Jesus and racking up who's got the highest sales commissions. Just like Campus Crusade, just like the Navigators (remember them? highest burnout rate on campus?), just like the JWs.
Except this time, it's linebackers whose size & attitude carries the threat "AcceptJesusChristAsYourPersonalLORDandSaviorOrI'llBeatYouUp".
I got burned out -- and burned -- by this before 1980. I got to be a notch on over half a dozen Bibles that way. Check out Internet Monk's Wretched Urgency and Wretched Urgency II for a more articulate look at where I'm coming from.
Wow, I thought it was pretty obvious that this is a parody, but perhaps not. The message is clear that fear is a lousy motivator for sharing Good News, whether that fear comes from shame and religious pressure, or the threat of being pounded by a linebacker.
Thanks for sharing, Joe--I'll be passing it along!