An Introvert's view of Evangelism

I wrote recently about introversion and extroversion and how much of the church, as well as our current modern culture, holds extroversion as an ideal. As a result much of the teaching on evangelism is tilted towards an extrovert's point of view and with an emphasis on using a salesman's approach. Much of what is taught about witnessing is structured around making a pitch, asking for the sale, and closing the sale. For instance, you talk through the 4 points of the Four Spiritual Laws or a similar outline, ask if they are ready to make a commitment, and if they are ready then you jointly do a prayer of commitment with the person and set up a follow-up time. This sometimes works out well for someone who has already been prepared by the Spirit, but other times it is not so appropriate and can be quite awkward at times. When it is done as a 'cold call' (again, the language of salesmanship) it is very often awkward and unfruitful and at times drives people away. So, I feel one has to be very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit on this to back off when it should be backed off. I also think that introverts object to this kind of approach far more than extroverts.

Many folks who are focused on evangelism find this line of thought offensive themselves. They consider it a requirement to present the whole gospel as often as possible with little regard for whether they drive people away by their method. If the gospel is offensive, so be it, they reason; people took offense at Jesus, too. There is some validity to this in that we should be looking for those whom God has prepared to hear, and be ready to present Christ when that occasion arises. However, a great many who take this 'salesmanship' approach do not realize how many other Believers also find them to be offensive. They are more concerned about fulfilling their perceived obligation than in actually furthering the gospel message. Nor do they often realize how a sales approach by its very nature causes people to distrust them.

This is because to many folks, including me, any salesman is immediately suspect.  The basic motivation of any salesman is to sell as much as he can and to maximize his earnings. In a case of a commissioned salesman, his goal is to maximize his commission. That makes his goal automatically in conflict with his customer to a large degree since his customer seeks to pay the lowest price he can for what he wants. You tend not to trust someone who is trying to empty your wallet! I think that introverts in particular distrust salesmen, especially if they are very pushy in trying to 'close the sale'.

While someones acceptance of the gospel is not a commission, it is nonetheless true that some try to earn 'rewards' in heaven by doing evangelism, and some gain personal satisfaction in 'winning' as if it were a game or competition.  While these are not monetary payoffs, they can be emotional payoffs, and cause for the person to whom they witness to distrust them. Introverts in particular rarely will make a spur of the moment decision on something this important, requiring time to ponder and analyze it, as well as understand and learn about it. Being pushed by a salesman trying to close the sale is quite irritating to them as a result. At some point, after they have examined it, it is fine to ask for a decision, but not too quickly.

As a result, I think that a great many introverts find this kind of sales approach to the gospel to be demeaning to the gospel. In the first place many introverts will reject both the salesman and his message when pushed for a sale when they are not ready for that. Then there is also the fact that this sales approach often results in a partial understanding of the gospel that is really just 'cheap grace'. I think the sales approach to the gospel has strongly contributed to the idea that many folks seem to have that being a Christian consists simply of praying some simple prayer and then continuing to live your life the same way you always did.

This is not to say that never asking for a decision is OK. Most of us introverts still have to 'step up' to make the point that a personal decision is necessary. And it is still important to bring up the subject of the gospel and not just depend on our lives to be the witness. Explanation is still needed. But it does not make sense to me to essentially demand that somehow introverts must become extroverts in order to be 'good Christians'. There is more than one way to spread the gospel.

So, I think that true conversion requires a fundamental change of heart, and most introverts will not make that kind of decision in a sales-call situation. Most will distrust the salesman too much, and most will require time and thought to consider it fully. Extroverts may be more open to a sales approach just as they are also more open to being salesmen themselves than introverts are. However, even they need to be careful of avoiding a 'cheap grace' approach to the gospel.