Conspiracy of Kindness: A Unique Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus (Paperback)

~ Steve Sjogren (Author)
Key Phrases: high grace, kindness evangelism, servant evangelism projects, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Low Risk (more...)

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Product Description

God is seeking to enter the heart of every person on this planet. Yet, for those who are not gifted evangelists, the task of communicating the Gospel can seem daunting. Fifteen years ago, Steve Sjogren published a groundbreaking book that has helped thousands of Christians share the message of the Gospel by performing simple, unexpected services. Conspiracy of Kindness enables every follower of Christ, from brand-new to mature believer, to become an effective evangelist through unassuming acts of kindness that communicate the love of God more persuasively than words. In this updated edition, readers will be inspired by this proven vision and simple strategy and by the real-life stories showing the amazing impact servant evangelism has had on Christianity throughout the world. Learn how churches, groups and individuals have used washing windows, cleaning toilets, putting coins in laundry machines and handing out sodas to impact their communities with the life-changing love of Christ. Although a simple premise, the conspiracy of kindness principle affects both those serving and those being served. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves?

From the Back Cover

God is seeking to enter the heart of every person on this planet. Yet, for those who are not gifted evangelists, the task of communicating the Gospel can seem daunting. What if there was another way? There is, and it’s called the conspiracy of kindness. Operating on a simple premise, this exciting form of servant evangelism enables every follower of Christ, from brand-new to mature believer, to become an effective evangelist through unassuming acts of kindness.
In this book, Steve Sjogren offers a proven vision, simple strategy and real-life stories that show the amazing impact servant evangelism has had throughout the world. Here’s how to communicate the love of God more persuasively through actions than with words. Learn how churches, groups and individuals have used washing windows, cleaning toilets, handing out sodas and more to impact their communities with the life-changing love of Christ. Although a simple premise, the conspiracy of kindness principle affects both those serving and those being served.
Are you ready to roll up your sleeves?

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Product Details Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Regal Books; Rev Upd edition (February 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0830745726 ISBN-13: 978-0830745722 Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #151,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
high grace, kindness evangelism, servant evangelism projects, washing windshields, doing evangelism, free car wash, power evangelism

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Low Risk, Five Discoveries That Empower Evangelism, Children Are Naturals, Small Groups Turned Inside Out, Displaying the Pearl, New York, Mother Teresa, Howard Beale, Church Lady, John Wimber, Mister Donut, New Testament, God Himself, Body of Christ, Sunday School, Southern California, John of the Cross, Los Angeles, Five Discoveries

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4 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 5.0 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars More supurb Sjogren strategies, May 28, 2008 By  James Miller "Jim Miller" (East Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    My wife loves a good practical joke. She will drive up to a drive-through window at a fast-food place and pay for the order of the person in the car behind her and then tell the cashier that when they give the food to the person, to tell them that Jesus loves them. Then she pulls away, giggling. She got that idea from Steve Sjogren, the father of servant evangelism. And Steve has a host of creative ways to kill the world with kindness that all started with his 1993 bestselling book, "Conspiracy of Kindness." Now, Sjogren is back with an updated and revised version, warranted with the arrival of the Internet and the Information Age, all of which has tweaked our ability to serve others and show kindness. What Sjogren has taught me is that the dog is supposed to wag the tail, not the tail the dog. Churches are to serve, not be served by, their community. Have you ever noticed those "No Solicitors" signs at store entrances? They are there for a reason. Shop owners often display them in self-defense--sometimes from local churches and religious organizations that approach them all too frequently to solicit funds for this project, or that missions endeavor, or their youth group, or a new addition to their church. Every retailer has had the disheartening experience of having to say regularly say no to yet another religious group. And, regrettably, somewhere along the way, some business owners have simply lost respect for churches so that, now, when a church really wants to do something for their community, for free, for nothing but the joy of serving, people lift an eyebrow and mumble, "Yeah, right." Enter, "Conspiracy of Kindness." Sjogren's is a fresh approach to doing Christianity, which mirrors the sentiments of Mother Teresa: "Small things done with great love can change the world." He believes that exhibiting genuine kindness may be the greatest tool a Christian has in influencing their world. When we endeavor to affect the world through simple acts of kindness rather than those hard-to-learn, step-by-step, often counterproductive, make-the-pitch-and-close-the-sale confrontational approaches to "soulwinning" that have made "evangelism" a four-letter word for many people, we discover that anyone can do the E-word. Everyone can do an intentional act of kindness at any time for anyone any where: mow an overstressed neighbor's lawn, visit a hospitalized coworker, bake cookies, wash a car, be a friend, live life outside yourself. These are "low risk, high grace" approaches to sharing the faith. And they are proving to be more effective. In "Conspiracy," Sjogren offers a host of kindness strategies sprinkled with timely stories--and he has a natural gift for storytelling--of people whose lives were changed by Christians who simply showed them "God's love in a practical way." The first edition of "Conspiracy" has sold over 200,000 copies and launched a style of Christianity that is changing strategies of churches around the world. As Bert Waggoner has observed, "Conspiracy means `to breathe with,' and Steve Sjogren has indeed started a conspiracy by assisting the Church to partner with the Spirit to breathe out the love of God into a world that desperately needs to know God's love." 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Original Serving Message On Steroids , February 6, 2008 By  Steve Sjogren "Author-Serving Coach - Kindnes... (Tampa, FL, USA) - See all my reviews Okay, you've perhaps read the original Conspiracy of Kindness with the non-pictorial cover. Original stuff call classic outreach-evangelism thoughts by many. So why this new edition? Plenty. 1. New chapters. 2. Each chapter is lengthened. 3. The 'Great Serving Experiment' is updated. What was first penned over a decade ago has moved worldwide in a tremendous way. How has it gone? What is afoot now? If you are new to the idea / theology of serving, start with Conspiracy of Kindness. This will build a foundation for understanding later serving / kindness books. I am asked continually via emails, "There are numerous books. Help please." The message of the power of God's kindness, the model of God's kindness is one that is pervasive in the New Testament (present in the Old Testament, but very evident in the coming of Messiah as he declares his Luke 4:18, 19 'Magna Carta' ala Isa. 61 purpose for coming to earth... his means for an initial breakthrough was serving, power and explaining what just happened). The message of this book was perhaps ahead of its time in the U.S. In other parts of the world, the observation was already very clearly in hand/mind that words are hollow without first investments of authentic care, love, generosity, respect. Such things are the natural overflow of anyone walking in God's Spirit (Gal. 5:22) though we can all tell of any day in any of our lives when we are waking well or embarrassingly poorly for various factors. The reality of 'show before talk with hollow words' is not new to this generation worldwide. We are in another global cycle of nearly every culture noticing that words ring hollow unless there is first a deposit of authenticity - both to believer and not-yet believer. That authenticity can come in several ways to people - serving is a necessary one that all people groups notice. It is not a stand alone factor though as all of life. Not just those outside the church notice the incongruity of the 'stand alone words' approach to life. If you haven't noticed it, believers are vacating the organized church scene like never before in church history - the 'forked tongue' factor is the most common issue stated. Perhaps we need to talk much about throwing stones before we move into a glass house ourselves. The observation remains well taken - it is difficult to go too far off the mark by walking in too much of God's kindness. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Way to Do Evangelism, September 11, 2009 By  Robert J. Vajko "Bob Vajko" (Bloomington, Indiana) - See all my reviews This is one of those key books on evangelism in this post-modern age. Sjogren (pronounced Sho-grin) has been involved in church planting in three areas of the U.S. and overseas in Oslo, Norway. He is presently launching a new church plant. He shows how a church can make a unique impact by the simplicity of being kind and doing things for people. Sjogren's concern is that the church be servant in spirit and live like the good Samaritan, he clarifies, "In other words, the way we (the Church) treat them (the un churched) serves as a litmus test of our spiritual health." (p. 86). The key is "servant evangelism" which means "demonstrating the kindness of God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached." P. 18. Chapter five is called "Five Discoveries That Empower Evangelism" and they are simple and yet needy. Sjogren is not an armchair evangelist but someone who has effectively done and taught evangelism. He shares his past failures and his present experiences. In Appendix 1, he lists a number of ways that Christians and churches can do servant evangelism and make a difference for the kingdom of God. This book has changed the way I see my own neighborhood and what I am to do to make a difference here.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring! This book is inspiring! Sjorgren gives numerous example of entirely possible outreach activities that provide a avenue for sharing God's love-with no strings attached. Read more Published 26 days ago by L. Lewis Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Regal Books; Rev Upd edition (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830745726
• ISBN-13: 978-0830745722
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #151,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More supurb Sjogren strategies, May 28, 2008

By	James Miller "Jim Miller" (East Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My wife loves a good practical joke. She will drive up to a drive-through window at a fast-food place and pay for the order of the person in the car behind her and then tell the cashier that when they give the food to the person, to tell them that Jesus loves them. Then she pulls away, giggling. She got that idea from Steve Sjogren, the father of servant evangelism. And Steve has a host of creative ways to kill the world with kindness that all started with his 1993 bestselling book, "Conspiracy of Kindness." Now, Sjogren is back with an updated and revised version, warranted with the arrival of the Internet and the Information Age, all of which has tweaked our ability to serve others and show kindness.

What Sjogren has taught me is that the dog is supposed to wag the tail, not the tail the dog. Churches are to serve, not be served by, their community. Have you ever noticed those "No Solicitors" signs at store entrances? They are there for a reason. Shop owners often display them in self-defense--sometimes from local churches and religious organizations that approach them all too frequently to solicit funds for this project, or that missions endeavor, or their youth group, or a new addition to their church. Every retailer has had the disheartening experience of having to say regularly say no to yet another religious group. And, regrettably, somewhere along the way, some business owners have simply lost respect for churches so that, now, when a church really wants to do something for their community, for free, for nothing but the joy of serving, people lift an eyebrow and mumble, "Yeah, right."

Enter, "Conspiracy of Kindness." Sjogren's is a fresh approach to doing Christianity, which mirrors the sentiments of Mother Teresa: "Small things done with great love can change the world." He believes that exhibiting genuine kindness may be the greatest tool a Christian has in influencing their world. When we endeavor to affect the world through simple acts of kindness rather than those hard-to-learn, step-by-step, often counterproductive, make-the-pitch-and-close-the-sale confrontational approaches to "soulwinning" that have made "evangelism" a four-letter word for many people, we discover that anyone can do the E-word. Everyone can do an intentional act of kindness at any time for anyone any where: mow an overstressed neighbor's lawn, visit a hospitalized coworker, bake cookies, wash a car, be a friend, live life outside yourself. These are "low risk, high grace" approaches to sharing the faith. And they are proving to be more effective.

In "Conspiracy," Sjogren offers a host of kindness strategies sprinkled with timely stories--and he has a natural gift for storytelling--of people whose lives were changed by Christians who simply showed them "God's love in a practical way." The first edition of "Conspiracy" has sold over 200,000 copies and launched a style of Christianity that is changing strategies of churches around the world. As Bert Waggoner has observed, "Conspiracy means `to breathe with,' and Steve Sjogren has indeed started a conspiracy by assisting the Church to partner with the Spirit to breathe out the love of God into a world that desperately needs to know God's love."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original Serving Message On Steroids , February 6, 2008

By	Steve Sjogren "Author-Serving Coach - Kindnes... (Tampa, FL, USA) - See all my reviews

Okay, you've perhaps read the original Conspiracy of Kindness with the non-pictorial cover. Original stuff call classic outreach-evangelism thoughts by many. So why this new edition? Plenty.
1. New chapters.
2. Each chapter is lengthened.
3. The 'Great Serving Experiment' is updated. What was first penned over a decade ago has moved worldwide in a tremendous way. How has it gone? What is afoot now?

If you are new to the idea / theology of serving, start with Conspiracy of Kindness. This will build a foundation for understanding later serving / kindness books. I am asked continually via emails, "There are numerous books. Help please." The message of the power of God's kindness, the model of God's kindness is one that is pervasive in the New Testament (present in the Old Testament, but very evident in the coming of Messiah as he declares his Luke 4:18, 19 'Magna Carta' ala Isa. 61 purpose for coming to earth... his means for an initial breakthrough was serving, power and explaining what just happened).
The message of this book was perhaps ahead of its time in the U.S. In other parts of the world, the observation was already very clearly in hand/mind that words are hollow without first investments of authentic care, love, generosity, respect. Such things are the natural overflow of anyone walking in God's Spirit (Gal. 5:22) though we can all tell of any day in any of our lives when we are waking well or embarrassingly poorly for various factors.

The reality of 'show before talk with hollow words' is not new to this generation worldwide. We are in another global cycle of nearly every culture noticing that words ring hollow unless there is first a deposit of authenticity - both to believer and not-yet believer. That authenticity can come in several ways to people - serving is a necessary one that all people groups notice. It is not a stand alone factor though as all of life.
Not just those outside the church notice the incongruity of the 'stand alone words' approach to life. If you haven't noticed it, believers are vacating the organized church scene like never before in church history - the 'forked tongue' factor is the most common issue stated.
Perhaps we need to talk much about throwing stones before we move into a glass house ourselves. The observation remains well taken - it is difficult to go too far off the mark by walking in too much of God's kindness.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Way to Do Evangelism, September 11, 2009

By	Robert J. Vajko "Bob Vajko" (Bloomington, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This is one of those key books on evangelism in this post-modern age. Sjogren (pronounced Sho-grin) has been involved in church planting in three areas of the U.S. and overseas in Oslo, Norway. He is presently launching a new church plant. He shows how a church can make a unique impact by the simplicity of being kind and doing things for people.

Sjogren's concern is that the church be servant in spirit and live like the good Samaritan, he clarifies, "In other words, the way we (the Church) treat them (the un churched) serves as a litmus test of our spiritual health." (p. 86). The key is "servant evangelism" which means "demonstrating the kindness of God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached." P. 18.

Chapter five is called "Five Discoveries That Empower Evangelism" and they are simple and yet needy.

Sjogren is not an armchair evangelist but someone who has effectively done and taught evangelism. He shares his past failures and his present experiences.

In Appendix 1, he lists a number of ways that Christians and churches can do servant evangelism and make a difference for the kingdom of God.

This book has changed the way I see my own neighborhood and what I am to do to make a difference here.