Selling Jesus Part 2: Why Witnessing Isn't a Sales Pitch with Dr. R. Scott Clark

On this episode of Abounding Grace Radio (AGR), Rev. Chris Gordon welcomes Dr. R. Scott Clark to talk about what faithful witness looks like for ordinary Christians. They begin with the story of a gang member who walked into a church elders meeting and said he wasn't asking for money: he needed the Lord. From there they discuss how believers can pray for and recognize everyday opportunities with neighbors, why "you are not the Holy Spirit," and what Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus teaches about the Spirit's sovereign work in the new birth. Dr. Clark draws on his own experience with door-to-door evangelism, Evangelism Explosion (EE), and telemarketing church-growth programs to explain why the "close the deal" sales model burns people out and misunderstands the nature of witness.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:09 "I Need the Lord": A Visitor at the Elders Meeting
02:14 Recognizing Opportunities with Neighbors
03:51 You're Not the One Doing the Saving
04:33 Jesus and Nicodemus: Born of the Spirit
06:04 Believer, You Are Not the Holy Spirit
07:22 We Overthink Witness: Hospitality and Catechesis
08:13 One Plants, Another Waters, God Gives the Increase
08:53 Witness Is Not Sales
09:12 Door-to-Door and Evangelism Explosion
11:11 "Pastor Everyone" and Every-Member Ministry
11:57 Coffee Is for Closers: Pressure Tactics in the Pulpit
12:18 Why Bringing People to Church Matters
12:42 Protestant Fatigue: Euphoria and Advice
14:37 Rest in Christ Through Gospel Preaching
14:57 Romans 10: How Will They Hear Without a Preacher?
16:51 Drawing People into the Covenant Community
17:00 Why We Need to Plant More Churches
18:12 The Foolishness of Preaching: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25
19:36 Artificial Intelligence, Holograms, and Balaam's Donkey
21:38 Pray for Your Neighbors by Name
22:26 Witness Begins at Home
23:28 Keeping Children in the Worship Service
24:32 Youth Sports and a Lifetime of Faith
26:20 Sunday Sports and Idolatry
27:22 Don't Despair: Repent and Come to the Means of Grace
27:42 Soccer Fields on Sunday Morning
28:37 Closing

Guest Information:
Dr. R. Scott Clark
Dr. Clark was educated at the University of Nebraska (Bachelor of Arts, BA), Westminster Seminary California (Master of Divinity, MDiv), and St Anne's College, Oxford University (Doctor of Philosophy, DPhil). He was ordained to the ministry in the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) in 1988, where he served for ten years. He has been a minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) since 1998. He has taught church history and historical theology at Westminster Seminary California since 1997, where he served as academic dean (1997–2001). He has also taught at Wheaton College (1995–97) as visiting professor, and has served as a visiting professor at Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson) and Concordia University Irvine.

Dr. Clark was educated at the University of Nebraska (BA), Westminster Seminary California (MDiv), and St Anne’s College, Oxford University (DPhil). He was ordained to the ministry in the Reformed Church in the United States in 1988, where he served for ten years. He has been a minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America since 1998.

He has taught church history and historical theology at Westminster Seminary California since 1997, where he served as academic dean (1997–2001). He has also taught at Wheaton College (1995–97) as visiting professor, and has served as a visiting professor at Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson) and Concordia University Irvine.

x: @RScottClark