Question: I am in the process of witnessing to one my co-workers and I need some input. He has never been in church (and is proud of this, in fact) and feels the church is an organization that's too money-focused. In a conversation about World Religions, I described what Christianity and Jesus were really about. He told me it was the most complete, concise explanation he has ever heard. How do I get past his perception that the church is money-focused?

The man who has never been to church and knows about the organizations' preoccupation with money should gently be asked "to prove his point." Try to find out if he is "parroting" the opinions of others, or knows personally of some objectionable incident. If he is smarting from some personal offense, be understanding. If he is expressing someone else's viewpoint, acknowlege the possibility and testify to the integrity of the churches you know about.

Two other possible approaches:

1. Mention the vast good the church does in terms of caring for people, such as the victims of the Tsunami disaster, rescue missions, hospitals, etc. Before government offered welfare, the church for 160 years gave to the poor in America.

2. Teach him what Jesus taught about stewardship and faithfulness. Tell him the story Jesus told of the Talents where Jesus expected money to be used for the Master's purposes.

He may not respond positively, but he will know the gospel of giving.