What is evangelistic dating? It is dating someone who is not in a close relationship with God in hopes that they will develop a close relationship with God through being with you, the "committed believer."
Here are some problems with the plan of evangelistic dating.
1. When the dating relationship ends so does any relationship with God. I have never seen a person continue at any church that I have ever served in 19 years of ministry through evangelistic dating.
2. When the break up occurs, often there is unrest and difficulties in other relationships in a church or youth group. Unrest destroys the mission of the church in loving each other and reaching the lost.
3. People who are evangelistic daters almost never bring a visitor to church who is of the same sex. There is something really creepy (psychologically unhealthy) about girls who can't make friends with girls and a guy that can't make friends with guys to bring them to Christ.
4. Leading a person to Christ is about loving them unconditionally. That unconditional love is what brings you to the next step. The goal of evangelism is not just getting a person in the church once a week. The goal is a relationship in the family of God. The strings attached to dating make that unconditional love that you must commit to a person to reach and keep them for Christ almost impossible.
5. Finally and foremost! The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers..." That does not mean that we are not friends with or love people outside of our faith family. It means that when we are looking for an close dependable relationship, like a date, spouse, business partner, or roommate, we should find a person who shares our passions and passion for Jesus.
1 comment:
I was evangelistically dated into the church. Of course my growth was entirely dependent on a very dedicated man named Steve Sinor. Now as for my girlfriend of a week or two long she did not stay at the church much longer after we broke up. I suppose the lesson from my story is that we should find those things we can do for other people that will show them how much we care for them. I believe this will involve some sacrifice on our part. After all if we are not willing to sacrifice a little time, money or whatever else we have we probably don't really care about them. I sure know that Steve definitely sacrificed his time for me.
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