Out of the Saltshaker: Evangelism as a Way of Life [Paperback]

Rebecca Manley Pippert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1999

In 2006, Christianity Today voted this title to be one of the top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals! A year 2000 Finalist in the ECPA book competition! "Christians and non-Christians have something in common," writes Rebecca Pippert. "We're all uptight about evangelism." So begins the bestselling book on evangelism as a lifestyle. Through stories, biblical insight and plain common sense, Pippert helps us feel relaxed and enthusiastic about sharing our faith. She offers an inspiring view of what effective, engaging evangelism might look like--for individuals as well as for churches through memorable stories, like this one: When I first came to Portland, Oregon, I met a student on one of the campuses where I worked. He was brilliant and looked like he was always pondering the esoteric. His hair was always mussy, and in the entire time I knew him, I never once saw him wear a pair of shoes. Rain, sleet or snow, Bill was always barefoot. While he was attending college, he had become a Christian. At this time a well-dressed, middle-class church across the street from the campus wanted to develop more of a ministry to the students. They were not sure how to go about it, but they tried to make them feel welcome. One day Bill decided to worship there. He walked into this church, wearing his blue jeans, T-shirt and of course no shoes. People looked a bit uncomfortable, but no one said anything. So Bill began walking down the aisle looking for a seat. The church was quite crowded that Sunday, so as he got down to the front pew and realized that there were no seats, he just squatted on the carpet--perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, but perhaps unnerving for a church congregation. The tension in the air became so thick one could slice it. Suddenly an elderly man began walking down the aisle toward the boy. Was he going to scold Bill? My friends who saw him approaching said they thought, You can't blame him. He'd never guess Bill is a Christian. And his world is too distant from Bill's to understand. You can't blame him for what he's going to do. As the man kept walking slowly down the aisle, the church became utterly silent, all eyes were focused on him, you could not hear anyone breathe. When the man reached Bill, with some difficulty he lowered himself and sat down next to him on the carpet. He and Bill worshiped together on the floor that Sunday. I was told there was not a dry eye in the congregation. The irony is that probably the only one who failed to see how great the giving had been that Sunday was Bill. But grace is always that way. It gives without the receiver realizing how great the gift really is. As this man walked alongside of his brother and loved him with all that he had received from Christ's love, so must we. This man was the good Samaritan. He made Bill feel welcome, feel as if he had a home. So he also knew the secret of the parable of the prodigal son: there finally is a homecoming, because we really have a home to come to. This thoroughly revised and expanded edition of Out of the Saltshaker is now even more valuable, with new chapters on the natural stages of evangelism (cultivating, planting and reaping), new stories of God's work in people's lives and added material on meeting the challenges of the new competitors to Christian faith. Out of the Saltshaker is more than ever a rare book--one that is both fun and deep, light and life changing.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone following the lead of 'Out of the Saltshaker' will experience peace and power in communicating their confidence in Jesus." -- —Dallas Willard

"I love this book!...How I pray multitudes will read it." -- —Kay Arthur

"Pippert breathes fresh life into the word 'evangelism,'...and recruits us to join her in this glad work." -- —Eugene H. Peterson, professor emeritus of spiritual theology, Regent College (Vancouver, British Columbia)

"Pippert is one of the liveliest and most effective communicators in the Christian world today." -- —Chuck Colson

"This encouraging and helpful 'classic' is now even better with its penetrating observations and practical illustrations." -- —Roberta Hestenes, senior pastor, Solona Beach Presbyterian Church (Solona Beach, California) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Features & Benefits

* help for facing fears about evangelism

* shows how evangelism can be a natural part of everyday life with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors

* practical

* full of real-life stories

* drawing on biblical principles

* fun and enthusiastic

* life changing

* revised and expanded edition of a bestseller

* includes a study guide for individuals or groups

* 2000 Evangelical Christian Publishing Association Book of the Year Finalist --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press; Journal edition (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830822348
• ISBN-13: 978-0830822348
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,495,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rebecca Manley Pippert is an internationally known speaker who regularly lectures on spiritual renewal, evangelism and character formation for church conferences, at schools and colleges and in pastoral training seminars. She has also written several popular books on evangelism and Christian living. Her bestselling book Out of the Saltshaker has sold more than a half-million copies worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh Reminder of What the Christian Life Should Be!, September 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Out of the Saltshaker & into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life (Paperback)

Pippert offers a timely reminder to Christians that we are all called to exemplify Christ in all situations, and to be attentive to what tactics to use. Particularly important was her emphasis on the fact that people are not projects, but rather, children of God who are valued by God and should be treated as such. Pippert's obedience to God is an inspiration. A must read for all Christians.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical approach to lifestyle evangelism, November 11, 2003

By 

D. Keating (Bristow, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Out of the Saltshaker: Evangelism as a Way of Life (Hardcover)

In this book, Rebecca Manley Pippert gives some very practical advice on how to use lifestyle evangelism when attempting to share your Christian faith with others. The main theory of the book (which I agree with) is that most Christians don't know how to share their faith, and most non-Christians are scared of being victimized by aggressive evangelism techniques (if you were to die today - where would you go?). Her basic solution is for Christians to relax, use the Bible, and let our lives provide the witnes to our faith. Seems like pretty simple stuff, but it can actually be quite challenging (especially if someone responds to the Gospel when presented with it).

The book is full of stories from her experience which help illustrate her points (both success stories and failures are included). They also provide some humor which I think is the author's attempt to say that we Christians need to lighten up a little when it comes to evangelism.

Although there is nothing extremely profound, or new in this book, I do think the author does a good job of explaining how Christians should use Jesus' behaviour as our example when trying to reach others. Also, the chapters about Jesus and the Pharisees were pretty well done.

Overall, I recommend this book for any Christian wanting to learn more about evangelism, and practical ways to bring God's light into your world. If you have read and liked any of Jim Petersen's books about evangelism then I think that you will enjoy this one also.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This easy? No. But good solid stuff here., May 10, 2001

By 

William Krischke (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Out of the Saltshaker & into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life (Paperback)

I'm not a huge fan of any kind of self-help or how-to book anyway, and I'm just learning how to interact with books of this type. My first reaction to Becky and her evangelism advice is to cry out "It's not that easy! It's NEVER that easy! I wish it was that easy!" Becky sits down on a bus and asks a little question and KABLAM someone's pouring their heart out and becoming a Christian.

But on second consideration, I realize that this is probably just the way the how-to genre works - whether it's teaching evangelism or cooking a souffle on "frugal gourmet", they always seem to make it look easier than it is. Maybe that's so us naive ones at home will be encouraged and at least give hard things (like sharing our faith with others) a shot. Or maybe it's because if you're going to write a book about something, that means you're really good at it, and if you're really good at it, that probably means it comes easy to you. So it is that easy for Becky and Bob Vila and the Frugal Gourmet (whatever his name is). And for the rest of us, well, we gotta try and fail and scrape through and learn what we can from them. I can't cook a souffle for the life of me, but my omelettes aren't too bad.

I've been cooking on evangelism for a while. Coincidentally, I currently lead an evangelism team for InterVarsity on a campus where Becky used to work-WAY before my time. Becky's got all the basic stuff here in this book, presented well, accessible, all that. Probably the strength of this book is that all of it is here. She emphasizes building authentic relationships with people instead of "project-building". She hits the importance of learning to ask good questions and be an active listener. She also points out the importance and usefulness of having a basic knowledge of apologetics, and an ability to converse about the more philosophical side of the faith, engaging tough questions people have. And she confesses that the Holy Spirit does all the real work, not solid debate or amazing listening skills. This is a good, full, big picture of evangelism.

Her stories are incredible, almost unbelievable, though I trust her not to embellish. Miracles tend to be rather unbelievable, don't they?

All said, I'd rather read Henri Nouwen, Kathleen Norris, or Augustine, because I love the sense of mystery and profundity there. But Becky is helpfully practical, beautifully basic, and solid. Definitely solid. So far, it's the best "how-to evangelize" book I've read. But I'm holding out hope there's a shining one out there I just haven't found yet. Like looking for gold, when you find silver you don't treat it like trash. But you keep looking.