Many times I find that when I explain to other's that a tennis player can share the message of Christ through their association with other tennis players, I get several responses.
I'm sure that you have heard a speaker that puts you to sleep. The speaker may be an expert on the subject and they certainly have good intentions as they take the time to speak to you. They seem to not be able to hold anyone's interest on the topic. Have you heard an expert speaker, who breaks the ice with stories that you can relate too, keeps you lighthearted as they give you stories that you can relate too and gives you points that you remember from their message long after you have listened. Much of this has to do with their personality and how the speaker makes you like them.
Recently I was in Hawaii on a speaking mission. As I was driving down through the middle of Honolulu with my wife, I saw a man with a Bible telling others about Christ on a street corner. As I pulled off to the side and listened, he spoke of the sins of mankind and how God would punish sinners. From my standpoint, the message was true enough. A man near him listened for a few minutes and then started to fight the street preacher. As the preacher would receive one blow on the chest, he would then hold his Bible up to the man, stand in his face and repeat this message. Of course another blow would come. Finally the police broke it up, and they both went in opposite directions. My thought was why did the street preacher not turn and walk away after the first blow. My guess would be that away from the street preaching, only those who have a similar personality to this preacher, combative and confrontational, would really enjoy being around him.
This bring us to an important point when telling others about Christ, without training or a personality that is likeable by others you are limited to sharing about Christ with those of like personality and interests. It appears that the street preacher training in how to reach others needed polishing and his methodology was not appropriate for his listener. While it appeared that the personality traits of both were similar, combative and confrontational, their interests where not similar. This led to an explosive combination for them. I doubt that the preacher understood that he needed a subject that was willing to listen to him.
Michael Chang and Andre Agassi, both Christians, have at various times attempted to share the message of Christ with others. Michael and Andre appear to be very much different in personality and temperament. Michael seems to attract fans for reasons such as his very controlled, even tempered, and outspoken viewpoints on his faith. Andre seems to have fans who appreciate his emotional style of play, driven to succeed manner and mild manner off the court. Of course these are not all the reasons and in many cases they attract others with their traits as they themselves have. I have seen Michael attracted to reading and studying and in a well though out manner presenting a message of Christ. I read in a recent Tennis Magazine article about Andre sharing from his heart what the Lord has done for him as he experienced ups and downs with his emotions and the lessons he has learned in life. I am certain that they both in their own ways can reach others who have similar traits and personalities. With training and new methodology they will also bridge the gap to others who are not like themselves.
As a tennis player you have the ability to reach others. As you make friends do you both have tennis in common? Do you have other common interests? Does the other person like you? Do you both have similar personality characteristics to relate too? Then you can share as message of hope with a world that needs the Christian message of hope. If you wish to reach beyond your sphere of influence, then make certain the other person has an interest in what you are talking about and likes you. Then to grow and go beyond this receive training in new methods as you reach out to others. In the next newsletter I will give you practical examples of new methods for sharing in tennis.
Blessings,
Rev. Bob Kraft