Here are 2 different scenarios (both of which are firmly grounded in reality) along with an observation.
SCENARIO #1 -
I am sitting with a friend or family member in Starbucks (or McDonald's, or whatever fast food or coffee house you wish). I am sharing the Gospel with him/her. My friend/family member is perhaps asking questions, or perhaps is simply listening to an explanation of the Gospel. There are plenty of people around, and we're talking loudly enough in such a confined quarters that it is obvious that our conversation is being heard by those around us.
SCENARIO #2 -
I am in the public square, or on a public sidewalk. I am--for the purposes of being heard in such a crowded and noisy environment--standing on an elevated position and I have a small amplifier and a microphone. I am preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Given my elevated position and considering the amplification I have at my disposal, it is obvious that I am being heard by those around me.
MY OBSERVATION:
Nobody has ever walked up to me while engaging my friend/family member at Starbucks/McDonald's and said something akin to...
"ummm...excuse me, but I'm a Christian, and I just wanted to ask you WHY you're doing this (referring to my conversation with my friend/family member). Do you REALLY think this works (referring to the goal of "winning folks to Jesus")?"
Nor has anybody ever said something akin to...
"ummm...excuse me, but I'm a Christian, and I just wanted you to know that THIS (referring to my conversation) is not the ONLY way to evangelize."
On the other hand, there have been MANY real-life instances of professing Christians walking up to me as I am preaching, or walking up to me after I am done, or telling me this in a social setting, or on Facebook, and telling me something akin to...
"I wanted to ask you WHY you're doing this. Do you REALLY think this works?"
or...
"I wanted you to know that THIS (referring to open-air preaching) is not the ONLY way to evangelize."
Anyway, this is my observation.
Double standard? I believe so.
Why is this?
It's something to think about.
In Christ,
- Shane
