Author: Jim Henderson

Evangelism Without Additives was recommended to me by 4 or 5 people. I've found in the past that a book with that much positive and organic press will at the least be interesting. I may not always agree with the content, but the read is usually worth while. Based on the Forward, Introduction, and 1st Chapter, this looks like it will be a timely read for a new church planter like myself.

The title alone elicited a stripped down, or pure and unadulterated process for sharing faith in my mind, which seams like the way it should be. The author, Jim Henderson talks about "the people Jesus misses most" throughout what I've read so far. He challenges what he calls Ordinary Christians who want to connect with these people who Jesus misses most to...live a little more intentionally, be yourself and focus on others, ask questions, listen, and give away your attention everyday. He also encourages OC's (ordinary christians) to pray behind people's backs. This simple yet deliberate path may be a stretch for some, but I agree with Jim that these practices are doable and life-giving.

Jim struggled with some early training and conversation he received from mentors during the Jesus Movement of the late 70's. He was trained to feel like if he wasn't finagling a way to steer the conversation towards Jesus, he was selling out. If he was not feeling uncomfortable at least once a day due to his boldness for Christ, then there was doubt that he was even saved. Have you ever felt this way? Although this style of Christian living has not been hammed into me over the years, I can see why this was an easy outlook to adopt, but one that was hard to live out.

Later in the chapter, Jim goes on to say that "connecting with the people Jesus misses most doesn't require a Type A personality." PHEWWW! The hard core, in-your-face, and sometimes judgmental tone that some christians choose as they share their faith doesn't appeal to me, even though I do have a strong personality. I agree with Jim when he states what he's learned over the years - that the "lost" prefer prayer to preaching. Real life change is genuine, not forced. I see the Bible describing a Heavenly Father that draws us with His loving kindness.

This is where GIVING instead of ASKING makes all the difference. Instead of OC's asking for something - like time, attention, and interest, we GIVE away that time, attention, and interest. Jim says in doing so, "we serve them a small taste of Jesus' desire to attend to them."

There is a lot to chew on in this first chapter. My personal challenge, as talked about before, is to live a little more intentionally, be myself and focus on others, ask questions, listen, and give away my attention everyday.

Joedy Zapara - book reader

Each chapter concludes with a few ways to practice what was talked about. Here is one of the ways to attempt the ordinary.

This week, try asking someone this question: "How are you?" Now here's the tricky part. When the person begins to answer, actually listen. Don't interrupt with your own story. Spend a few minutes being unusually interested in that person, and leave it at that. Don't witness preach or say anything religious.