Tom over at BigBulkyAnglican (just how big and bulky is he anyway? - enquiring minds want to know) and following up, Maggi, talk about "traditional" evangelism, it's general ineffectiveness and seeking a kinder, gentler alternative.
Fortunately, I was never a direct victim of old-school evangelism (the 18th century kind), but I have seen it up close and personal in all my youth work as I've worked with many a fundamental evangelical youth pastor, and oh by the way, 99% of all youth materials are published by Evangelical publishing houses.
The fundamental (pun intended) problem with old school evangelism is that it focuses on a radical one-time conversion experience, and its proponents will try all sorts of manipulation to get people to that one point. Up to and including a warbly keyboard playing Amazing Grace ad infinitum until somebody cracks. Now that's cruel and unusual punishment.
The method dates back to relatively recent times - the American frontier camp meetings. The itinerant evangelist comes to town, sets up shop (right next to the snake oil salesman) and his goal is to convert as many people as possible before packing up and moving on to the next victi^H^H^H^H^H converts. In this environment it makes a warped sort of sense to give people the Cliff notes version of the gospel, get them to repent quickly, say the sinner's prayer and bingo, you're done.
Follow-up? What follow up?
Billy Graham is reputed to have said, "You may not be happy with the way I am doing evangelism - but let me tell you I am happier with the way I am doing evangelism than the way you are not doing evangelism."
The argument being, "Yeah, well at least I'm doing something!".
But what if that something is a load of old codswallop? What if it sets people on the wrong path? What if it stunts their spiritual growth for years, decades or even the rest of their life?
Old school evangelism is closely allied to the well known bait and switch advertising technique, too. All those "gospel missions"? Come and we'll feed you and give you a bed for the night but, oh, before you can get those you have to sit through this chapel service. And oh, by the way, we'll guilt your sorry ass into making you feel as miserable and guilty as we possibly can. As if being homeless and hungry with a minimal sense of worth wasn't enough of a burden. Not to mention the warbly organ playing Amazing Grace (amazing how much that crops up...) Whatever happened to unconditional love?
Leaving behind the manipulative techniques of the Mourner's Bench (aka Sinner's Bench) and the Four Spiritual Laws and such can be daunting, so Dave Rattigan, who has walked that journey himself, has put together a site for those on that journey or contemplating it: Leavingfundamentalism.org Worth checking out.
And as I mentioned in comments on Tom's and Maggi's posts, I highly recommend Brian McLaren's book Finding Faith as a great starting point for considering issues of faith in general. Brian writes clearly and honestly and makes a wonderful guide as the book unfolds.
