This kind of a situation does not take me by surprise being a Calvinist in a non-Cal church. Anyways this one guy whom I have been talking with, have given him tracts, a evangelism book by Mark Cahill and such was seeming to be interested to go out witnessing with me. However the conflict comes because the church has their own soul winning program and he know feels that we should join it and listen to soul winning experts and or should not witness apart from the church. I did not speak badly of the church but I simply said they have a preference on evangelism and that only God can draw the elect to salvation as this man was saying he needed to learn how to win souls to Christ. I have showed him verses in John and other places speaking of Gods election and the effectual call but he has not heard them.
I could buy him a book on election but not sure if it's necessary. I told the man if he changed his mind we could go out but I think in this case I am better off working alone or with my wife as I am not in a Calvinist church. And besides even the one down the road they do not seem all that interested in street evangelism neither which may be more of a location issue as we are in the suburbs.
This also may be my own problem since I gave him an Arminian book when I should have given him a Calvinist book on evangelism.
I have rejected their evangelism due to the low emphasis on repentance and the rejection of Lordship Salvation.
Read what I just quoted. You are rejecting your church's outreach techniques, you are trying to persuade another church member to reject them as well. Tell me, if you go out witnessing and someone asks you, "where should I go to church?", what would be your answer?
I would say to share the gospel to the best of your ability and gifts and let God do the work (I'd participate with the church...but it is me and I'm not saying this is what you should do).
Likewise, let God use your brother as He wills.
And one last thing.
It is not often I get to beat Rippon to the punch...but good use of "whom" :smilewinkgrin:.
I am willing to work with them however only if they would let me be. But the experience last time proved I would have to adapt to their method which is something I will not do.
Even if I did not use the LAW to convict I would want to openly preach on Hell and sin which does not seem to be things they will do.
Going into a church with your heart set on changing it, is like going ito a marriage with plans to change the spouse ... an agenda of change is dishonest and only makes for serious problems in the days and weeks before you. It is dishonest, and wrong.
WALK AWAY brother...changing others is not a calling of God.
You would have already been asked to leave my church.
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."
That brings up another point....do you think the wolves were intentionally wolves (many probably thought they were correcting doctrine...certainly true of the "Jewdizers").
Some may have been, others may have had good intentions (like I suspect evangelist6589 originally had). The problem with evangelist6589 is that we can all sit here until we are blue in the face and tell him that he is causing division in his church, yet he will continue to do the same thing. Because of that it does become intentional.
You need to talk to Tom Butler about being reformed in a non reformed church. He has been one for years and he can help you understand appropriate behavior in that setting.