As is often the case, it’s when I’m preparing to teach others that God first rebukes and teaches me.

Preparing to speak at a youth event to encourage young people to get involved in world missions I drew on the illustration of what we’d do if we were in a burning building and knew the way out. We’re not going to respect the sincerity of the person who is planning to hide under the table. We’re not going to be afraid of offending the person who is planning to wait for the lift. We’re not going to tip-toe around the person who thinks the building is not actually on fire. If we really do believe that the danger is real, and if we really are convinced that the fire escape is the way to safety, and if we have any shred of human decency, then surely we’d do whatever we can to persuade others to join us and be saved. (This video from atheist US magician Penn Jillette expresses just that view)

It’s simple really: judgement is imminent, the gospel is true, we love our friends and family, so why don’t we share Jesus with them with more urgency?

I think the problem is we don’t separate urgent from aggressive.

When I think about people who have been taken by the urgency of the task of evangelism I have recollections of people who are annoying, socially inappropriate, aggressive and rude. And in my experience this sort of evangelism has the opposite of the desired effect.

So instead of being aggressive, we choose instead to be gentle. But somewhere along the line gentle became muted, and muted became dumb.

This week, Australia’s Local Hero of 2011, Don Ritchie died. For over fifty years Don lived opposite the Gap at Watsons Bay and over the years he rescued over 160 people who were contemplating suicide. Reportedly when he was younger he would physically restrain people who were about to jump while his wife would call the police. Urgent and aggressive. And effective.

Later in his life Mr Ritchie would offer a cup of tea and a chat. Same urgency. Gently effective.

There will be relationships and opportunities and personalities where the urgency of turning to Christ will require a forceful rebuke and uncompromising command to repent. But in others, perhaps in many others, we need to choose a gentler path – not because we’ve lost the urgency, but because we’re wisely choosing what would seem to be most effective.

Following Don Ritchie’s advice wouldn’t go astray: when asked about what he said to people at the Gap, his answer was, ‘Smile. Be friendly and say can I help you in some way.’