A Great Cloud of Witnesses

​November 6th – Based on a sermon given November 3rd by Les Kovacs
 
My sermon this past Sunday focused on being missional Children of God as exemplified by the saints throughout the ages.  Like many of our brothers and sisters, we may want to share our faith with others but feel unsure of ourselves, seeing several obstacles that can make it challenging. I’ve listed a few below for you to consider.
1. Fear of Rejection or Judgement

• Many of us worry about how others will react, or we fear being rejected, ridiculed, or even alienated.  This can lead to hesitancy in openly sharing our beliefs.

2. Feeling Unqualified or Unprepared

• Sometimes we may hold back because we feel a lack of knowledge about the Bible or feel we may not have the "right" answers.  We may worry that tough questions will come up, and we won’t be able to respond.

3. Cultural Sensitivity and Fear of Offense

• Today’s pluralistic society places high value on respecting diverse beliefs, and we may fear offending others or being perceived as being pushy or intolerant.

4. Personal Doubts or Spiritual Struggles

• We may even be struggling with doubts, questions, or a sense of spiritual inadequacy ourselves and feel unprepared to share a faith we feel we haven’t fully mastered or embodied.

5. Pressure to "Convert" Rather Than Connect

• We may feel responsible for convincing or converting someone.  This can make faith-sharing feel like a performance or goal, rather than a natural expression of our belief.  

7. Lack of Practice and Confidence

• Like any skill, sharing one’s faith requires practice.  Without prior experience or mentorship, we may lack the confidence and skill to initiate these conversations comfortably.

8. Concern About Relationship Dynamics

• Many of us worry that sharing faith could strain relationships, particularly with family, friends, or colleagues who might view it as a sensitive or divisive topic.

When considering these obstacles, do you recognize any that may apply to you, and if so what practical steps can you take to overcome them?  Learning to share faith with compassion, patience, and authenticity can help overcome many of these barriers.