Introduction: An Overview of CoJourners
You probably want to tell other people about Jesus. You know that your relationship with God is the best thing that has ever happened to you. You want other people to experience spiritual life too.
But evangelism can seem overwhelming or scary. Often the fear is immobilizing.
By re-examining reality you can gain a new perspective and confidence toward evangelism:
Fact # 1: Everyone is on a spiritual journey.
God created us that way. Granted, some people are moving toward God and others are moving away from Him. Some pursue gods that aren't God at all. Some are spiritually open and others are closed. But everyone is on a spiritual voyage.
Fact # 2: God is already involved in people's lives, whether they know it or not.
God created people and even choose when and where people are born so that they would have an opportunity to know God (Acts 17:26, 27). Even after birth, God pursues each person (Revelation 3:20).
Fact # 3: People like to travel in groups.
While spiritual journeys are personal, they are not private. People want freedom to make faith decisions without pressure, but also the opportunity to talk about their thoughts, feelings and emotions along the way.
People are designed to want companionship as they try to understand God. That is why so much spiritual growth occurs in Bible studies, churches and small groups.
We are given the privilege of joining people on their spiritual journeys and becoming a part of what God is doing.
Become a CoJourner
CoJourner is a new word that means what no single word in the English language can convey. The prefix “co” means “with” and a “journer” is a traveler. Put them together and the idea is that you will seek to join people on their spiritual journeys - meeting them where they are, not where you want them to be.
As a result, the principles of being a CoJourner can work with anybody, anytime, anywhere.
God calls us to be CoJourners. The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 4:5 (New International Version) to “be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Also, throughout His life Jesus talked with people about His relationship with God. For an example, read Jesus' conversation with a woman at a well in John 4.
CoJourners is what good and effective evangelists have been doing all along. It is not just a strategy, CoJourners is a way of life.
Explore relational evangelism more by
- reading Matt Penland's CoJourners Story and
- reviewing practical tips for being a CoJourner.
