My most recent trip I ran into someone from the Gideons and I told him what I do and he suggested I go to a Gideons prayer breakfast. I am looking for ways to not only pass out tracts but New testaments as well. He told me the latest Gideons are in the ESV which excited me as the KJV is hard to understand for most. I pass out Gospel of John's from Pocket Testament League but its not the same as a New Testament. Anyone familiar with them and what do you say? Do they require I only do witnessing with my church as some organizations do? What then would I do in a situation where ones church does not do street evangelism? Just do it by myself as what Living Waters has advised me.
Th Gideons International
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by evangelist6589, Feb 11, 2014.
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Great organization, I have worked with them in the past and know several members. But the focus is on giving out copies of the Bible, not on personal evangelism, although that does occur when the opportunity arises. Our local Gideons stick to the KJV, but that may be a regional thing.
I am sure there are some Gideons on the board, so perhaps they should comment. I believe all Gideons are non clergy, I could be wrong, but I believe being an ordained minister may preclude you from joining. You also must have a letter of recommendation from your pastor and must be a member in good standing of a protestant or evangelical church.
You asked
http://www.gideons.org/FAQ/FAQ.aspx
The Gideons include members from many different protestant evangelical churches; and especially when it comes to distributing bibles they certainly “play by the rules” that allow them access to areas where other missionary efforts are not allowed. Not pointing fingers of course Evangelist, but you would have to be willing to play well with others, even others who disagree with you on points of theology. I am only mentioning that because at times you can be a rather spirited debater on this website.
One thing I love about the Gideons, and one reason I continue to give them money, is they are very open with their finances. Their financial statements are available to the public on their website. From the website:
http://www.gideons.org/HowYouCanHelp/financial_statements.aspx
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Seems there will now be two distinct ESV editions in circulation.
From a recent issue of The Gideon magazine:
"The ESV that will be distributed by The Gideons International will be a unique edition produced with permission of Crossway Publishing, copyright owner of the ESV. The copyright page of the Gideons edition will state, in part, "At the request of The Gideons―and in appreciation for their worldwide, century-plus distribution of more than 1.7 billion Bibles―Crossway is pleased to license the ESV Bible text to the Gideons and to grant permission to The Gideons to include certain alternative readings based on the Textus Receptus, for exclusive free distribution of a Gideons edition." -
Sample Gideons membership application here:
https://archive.org/details/MembershipApplication -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
For example I was in a church that did street evangelism, but was strongly opposed to open air preaching. People did not want to go out with me or be around me because I did open air preaching. I never once harped on them for not using the LAW in evangelism, but they sure made it clear about my views. They probably labeled m as not playing well with others, when they never accommodated my views. -
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ESV+
The Gideons extracted from the owners of the ESV permission to correct the ESV text, so Gideon ESVs will be different from the ones you can buy:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/184268806/Gideon-changes-to-the-English-Standard-Version-New-Testament -
I spent several years as a hospital chaplin and it was a great experience. I got to share the gospel many times and help families in times of grief. But our group of chaplins included many denominations and faiths. Not just other protestant denominations, but Catholic Priests, Jewish Rabbis, and before I left we even had a Muslim Imam we could call for Muslim patients. Some of my IFB friends had major problems with this and accused me of compromising my beliefs by associating with these men and women.
I obviously had no problem with it. If you want to be a hosptial chaplin, not just do hospital visitation, but be the official hospital chaplin and be on call for patients who ask for a chaplin, then you have to play by the rules. That means you show respect for other faiths, even those we disagree with. If you want the opportunity to share your faith, you have to allow others the same priviledge.
Please do not think that I am not implying in any way that you are not willing to do this evangelist.
These rules apply to many areas of society and there are some militant type Christians who refuse to follow them. I had a good friend was a missionary to Cuba. Yes, Cuba. He worked for years within the system to get permission to bring his family to Cuba under an educational visa. He was able to teach English and Bible classes with the blessing of the government. Then one day a Baptist preacher on a tourist visa sets up and starts street preaching near his classes. Despite the fact that they did not know each other and had never met, both men ended up jailed and then deported. Years of preparation and work were destroyed by a single rash act that violated the laws of that nation.