Well I have 5 non-Christians that I stay in contact with.
I know that 3 know that I am a Christian as we have talked
about Christianity and what I believe. I would say that each
has basically responded with "well thats good for you'. Not
hostile, but ambivalent. I would say the most don't see a need.

I think that for my generation, most non-Christians don't see
a need for Jesus. I mean they can emmulate some of His values
but not embrace Him necessarily. You know he was a good teacher
etc. There is an absolute lack of understanding of having a
deep personal one on one relationship with Jesus. Not sure
how to get that message across. There is also a fair amount
of bad press that they see on so called representatives of
Christ.

What is lacking is a "city gate" or forum for getting together
and talking about faith and beliefs and such. I wish there
was a place to sit and drink coffee and chat with people about
what is really missing in their lives. I have lots of questions
to ask too. People seldom go deep. I can see where we need to
build relationships, so that people can see what makes us tick.
Then we will have a place of standing to share who we are
with them. So sales pitches and scare tactics. Just one hungry
beggar to another hungry beggar.

Who look what time it is. Better go. Thanks Andrew for starting
this forum up. More latter....

Randy Petersen

I agree that we don't have that very needed "city gate" where we can engage with our larger community. I once saw a presentation on how our architecture affects our ability to be social. Have you ever heard of the intimacy gradient in architecture? Basically, homes are designed in such a way that we have areas of varying intimacy. For example, the front yard/front porch is very public and creates an easy way to communicate with a neighbor. The next level would be the sitting room, where the person would be coming into your home. Then, of course, there's the kitchen, which is much more intimate; then the bathroom, then bedrooms, etc.

The interesting thing I learned in the presentation is how we (at least in the Bay Area) don't have front porches any more. We've removed the public area where communication happens. Now our only option other than talking in the street is to bring someone inside. Skipping the front porch area of the intimacy gradient can make social interaction awkward. I think this is part of the reason why we all drive our cars into the garage and never set foot outside (unless it's on the back porch!). We've lost the ability to comfortably socialize in the open air.

Similarly, there are fewer and fewer "city gate" type areas in the city where people gather. We're getting more independent and withdrawn.

So I think this is a BIG challenge for Christians. How do we engage with our neighbors more easily? How do we engage with our co-workers more easily?

Wow Andrew that is true with me.

I have some nice neighbors, but I seldom talk to then unless
I am outside mowing the lawn or washing the car. Then I see
them and walk aross the street and we talk in the yard.
And this is with me living in the neighborhood for almost
22 years. So I know these people, but there is not enough
of a forum or what you call "intimacy gradient". There is
nothing between curb side and kitchen table.

Some people I have talked too only during power outages and
earth quakes. I need to find ways to change that.

Cheers
Randy Petersen

Not that my wife and I are at all active evangelists, but here are a couple of thoughts -- Patricia has been especially good at some of these.
Get a dog and go for walks around your neighborhood. Especially in evenings and weekends, people are out working in their yards, washing cars, cleaning garages, etc.
Have kids and play with them in the front yard (or take walks). Kids are a great conversation starter!
Organize a "block" party during the summer.
Find a local coffee/sandwich/burrito/etc shop and frequent it a couple times a week.
Eat lunch in the cafeteria at work, and listen to what people are discussing.

These are pretty "non-threatening" ways (even for me!) to make contact with people. As you see them more often, more opportunities arise to begin casual conversations -- about kids, dogs, sports, work, cars, whatever they seem interested in. I get a burrito after going the gym a couple of times a week, and I've gotten to know the manager there a little bit. I asked him to cater a couple of parties at my house, and we talk regularly about sports (fantasy football esp). Once you've established a relationship, you can more forward (or "deeper"). If they're neighbors, you can invite them over for dinner, to watch a game, or whatever.
We've actually built some relationships with two local families as their kids (high school) have grown attached to our kids. Patricia talks to other people regularly during walks. She was even starting a relationship with a homeless lady at a local coffeeshop, but the shop went bankrupt and closed down :(
For me there are two big fears -- the initial approach, and then moving the relationship into "spiritual" matters. The above activities have reduced the fear for me of the initial approach, but I still haven't really developed any of these relationships past casual conversation...

Hi Andrew

Could it be that we are entering a time when people may be
more open to Conversational Evangelism ? Seems with all the
tumult in the world; people may be looking for an explanation
and may be open to the message of Jesus ?

One impediment use to be that people were too caught up in
having a good time and not really desiring the things of God.
Now many people are worried and don't know what to do etc.
Out of the confusion the Christian has a message of hope
and love. Just a thought. Anything more happening on the
thread ?

Cheers
Randy Petersen