Witnessing for the Savior to the unchurched is not something that our Lord expects only of professional and fulltime church workers. It is the vocation of every Christian to witness to others of the faith and hope one has in his heart. The apostle Peter wrote, "Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior said to the multitude, "You are the light of the world . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16).

In witnessing to unchurched prospects, what Christian topics should we discuss with them? The world events and the time of terrorism in which we are living open the door to talk about sin and grace. Sin and the evil consequences, which are flashing in our faces twenty-four hours a day, make it very easy to strike up a conversation with anyone who wants to listen.

Witnessing can begin with a conversation as casual as the Savior had with the woman at Jacob's well. It all began when Jesus said to the woman of Samaria, "Give Me a drink" (John 4:7). After a while, Jesus told the woman, "Go, call your husband, and come here." She told Him, "I have no husband." Jesus said, "You have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband." She had a lifestyle comparable to that of many in our generation. Here Jesus reveals that in witnessing we may have to speak of things that are not pleasant. Even then, however, we must always remember the words of the apostle: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). We can be 100 percent right in what we say, but totally wrong in the way we say it!

CONSIDER THE EXAMPLE OF Aquila and Priscilla, who took the apostle Paul and his fellow worker Apollos into their home, where they could casually sit and discuss the Christian teachings. There are open doors all around us. The question is, "Are we ready and willing to make the most of the opportunities which the Lord places before us?" Eagerly we should tell people about the one and only hope we have in this sin-sick world. Boldly, we should proclaim the name of the one true, triune God and the name that is above every name, the name of Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who fulfilled the Commandments in our stead, and who suffered, died and rose again to redeem us from sin, death and the devil.

How long should we speak and plead with any person? As long as the door is open. Often it takes more than one visit or conversation. When people are reluctant to come to the church for worship, offer to pick them up at their home or to meet them in the church parking lot or at the church door for the Sunday worship service. Sit with them during the service and gracefully assist them in following the order of worship, which may sometimes seem complicated to guests and prospective members.

Introduce such guests to other members of the congregation. Make them feel at home. Offer to attend adult classes with prospective members. Even after you have introduced them to the pastor, your personal contacts and witnessing remain important. Keep in touch! Pray with them and for them. The need for each Christian to witness is expressed well by the hymn writer:

"If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You c an tell the love of Jesus,
You can say He died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked
With the Judgment's dread alarms,
You can lead the little children
To the Savior's waiting arms.
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let His work your pleasure be';
Answer quickly when He calleth,
"Here am I , send me, send me!"

Leonard Buelow is pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin.