Roy Gruber (
Twitter) is our lead pastor where I serve. Recently he was interviewed for the September issue of
Church Executive on what it's like to serve in Utah, where so many people belong to the LDS church. I've learned a ton on what it means to be a missionary from Roy, especially when it comes to building relationships with people for the long haul and being bold in our witness for Jesus, not just with our words, but with our lives as well. It was cool to see this interview--his perspective is a unique one since his mindset of moving to Utah eight years ago was as a missionary. Here's an excerpt, but
head over to the Church Executive website for the rest:
Do former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) move to evangelical churches?
Many folks who grow up Mormons and leave their faith move into the growing group of those who have no contact with any church due to feeling “burned” by their experience. Many of those who are not connected to any faith grew up in a church and have not given up on God, but they have given up on their church experience.
What approach works in evangelizing Mormons?
Event evangelism does not work in Utah, whereas a relationship found in community provides the ideal environment for people to discover who God really is and what it means to know Him. What does work on a practical level are relationships with neighbors and coworkers. This relational reality exists around the world, but what is true in Utah is this: Without relationships there is no outreach impact. The starting of new churches also makes an impact. Right now there are a record number of church planters in northern Utah and that is a wonderful and welcome development.
What doesn’t work in reaching Mormons?
What does not work is debating over quirky doctrines of Mormonism. Many LDS folks feel embarrassed by some of the previous or current beliefs of the church. It does not make an impact to win the “sprint” of momentary debates, but impact comes on the longer road of relationships. By definition, outreach through relationships is not a strategy but an everyday way to live out faith.
Spiritual conversations happen easily in Utah. In those conversations, speaking the truth in love helps us examine the differences in faith. Our Mormon friends sacrifice much to leave the LDS faith. A good amount of that sacrifice often includes relationships.
