Evangelism

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said the following about evangelism:

• It isn't something you can opt out of: you just do it, even if you are not a professional.
• Do it, not out of duty, but because you love people.  Love as Jesus loves.
• It isn't about results.  Don't try to count the number of conversions or how instantaneously it happens.
• Remember that it is good news.  It is positive, happy news.
• Trust the Holy Spirit to work.
• Pray.
• Be prepared, that your conversations may only bear fruit after you leave the scene.  Give people time to absorb what has been said.
• Don't complicate things.  Only answer what has been asked.  Keep the message simple to understand.
• Always be ready to give an answer.
• Realise the importance of evangelism.

I think Welby made good points.  When we make evangelism out to be an awkward, professional task, we become awkward and unnatural as we try to present the facts to our friends.   When we do it without love as our motivation, our message does not connect as people question our motives.  We do not want to force people to convert, but to give them the opportunity to accept the grace of our Lord.

Do you think so?  Do you find evangelism awkward to do?  Awkward to be on the receiving end of?  Should evangelism be done at the edge of a sword?

Is evangelism a Christian thing, or does it belong to other people too?