Advertising religion at college?

Lyrical

First off sorry about the title I didn't know what other way to phrase it :P.This has played on my mind for a while when I started college last year during my first week there was a Religious stall set up with all bible quotes on placards surrounding it and some guy with a microphone handing out leaflets about people neglecting Christianity and telling us to find "God" again.To me as someone who is religious I found this cringeworthy as with a few thousand people going to the college there probably is quite a few people attending of different religion and probably some who don't believe in God too so for this guy to be announcing to them to find God must of been annoying.

This stall was located in the middle of Meteor and Vodafone stalls peddling their wares and it seemed like this boot were doing the same.The stall consisted of four people in their 20's.I'm just puzzled what the purpose of this is and what they were hoping to achieve.The leaflets they were handing out were getting binned as quick.Is this a method to get more young people back to the church because there wasn't much interest in it I really don't see the point of it if I'm honest I really don't think a leaflet will change peoples minds and if they want to return to the church etc it's a decision they will make themselves and wont be based on a leaflet.I'm just wondering am I wrong to be thinking this am I begrudging the people who take the time to do this?

Thanks in advance.

BrianCalgary

I agree. That type of evangelism doesn't seem to work anymore. I see it happen at pro sporting events with the papers left lying around on the ground.

Have a booth. Talk about the goals of your club and let people come and see.

homer911

I would expect that ALL of those joining a Christian Union or similar in University would already be Christians. They wont want to (nor have the time to) spend their days evangelising on street corners..

Benny_Cake

That sounds rather misguided. I think very few people would be attracted by such an approach, least of all students. As Brian said set up your booth, be approachable, and people will come to you if they're interested.

martinedwards

sadly there are still a load of folks who evangelise by yelling at folk.

really turns me off.

Sandals and Shorts

I think its safe to say everyone in Western Europe has heard of the gospel at this stage, if people have questions they will ask them.

I do find though that most Christians, never mind non Christians, are not actually fully aware of everything that Christ taught. They are under the false assumption they have heard certain quotes so they don't need to read it in full for themselves.

That should be an evangelist's real focus, quietly hand out free gospels and encourage everyone to read the complete words of Christ for themselves, their context, and to who his teachings were actually directed to. That's often a real eyeopener. Then if they have any questions they can get in contact. That would be much more fruitful exercise.

Living the Gospel and giving up your free time to help the less fortunate in society is by far the best way of preaching the Gospel. As St. Francis of Assisi said "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words"

As Christ said, not everyone who says to him "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven.

"For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Jesus is out there on the streets, sick, hungry, tired, neglected. Find a way of getting out there and help him. That's the gospel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yFzCBIK-PY

BrianCalgary

Hey shorts and sandals. Good post but I know for certain that there are many in Western Europe and in the western world who have not heard of Jesus and the Gospel. I have done missionary work in Ireland and Italy and there are those who I have met that haven't heard of Jesus.

I had a colleague of Indian descent ask me who Jesus was? That particular fellow had grown up in Canada and I was the first that he heard it from.

Why was I the first? To you rpoint i try my best to live my faith.

Onesimus

Not entirely true, it was by being handed a rosary that led me on a journey back to prayer and the Church over a year. Leaflets however may not be great but at least it gets people thinking about Jesus and the church. Being handed a rosary did exactly this to me, it got me thinking. Not everyone is converted by being handed a rosary or leaflets but it can be a good starting point for some.

J C

martinedwards wrote: »

sadly there are still a load of folks who evangelise by yelling at folk.

really turns me off.

I agree ... all of the ads on TV that 'yell' about various products and services - and interrupt my viewing, also turn me off.
... but, as they cost a small fortune ... somebody must be listening!!!:)

The point I'm making is that there are 'different strokes for different folks' ... and it's all part of the diversity of opinion and approach of Mankind ... that should be part of any truly tolerant multi-cultural society!!!!

J C

Sandals and Shorts wrote: »

I think its safe to say everyone in Western Europe has heard of the gospel at this stage, if people have questions they will ask them.

I think its also safe to say that everyone in Western Europe has heard of (insert your favourite brand) at this stage ... but this doesn't stop the brand owners (repeatedly) 'shouting' their messages from the proverbial roof-tops.

If it's appropriate for trans-national corporations to do this, its also appropriate for trans-dimensional faith communities to also do it!!!

petronius

Sometimes I also cringe at particular evangelical organisations, methods.

I think all third level benefits from having facilities for students to avail and practice their religion.
I know its not cool to say at this time, particularly with a very anti-christian, anti-catholic even anti-religion domination of our media.
I think a chaplain is something of benefit for a school and university, and only missed when a crisis or need for them is there.
For example when there is a death of a student it helps their peers, or a student going through some such crises there is an ear to listen to. Part of the pastoral care all colleges should provide

I spent some time in America and was amazed at the participation of young people (from a local university) in charities linked to religious organisations who provide social services (maybe because the state doesn't do so).

I think this is more powerful, showing by example, than being advertised an ethos.

Jan T.

Some good points all round in this thread.

A Christian union is a great thing in any college for making life long friends. Christians thrive in a commuinity, that can then go out and help others less fortunate, this should be advertised.

homer911

Jan T. wrote: »

Some good points all round in this thread.

A Christian union is a great thing in any college for making life long friends. Christians thrive in a commuinity, that can then go out and help others less fortunate, this should be advertised.

Absolutely yes, it should be advertised, but there is no need for megaphone evangelism. Of course Christians need to talk about their faith, but without the context of seeing them live their day to day lives, this approach tends to put people off. Having said that, there will always be situations where a megaphone evangelist, by their presence, may sow a seed with someone, but its hardly the best approach