Key Quote: "People of this generation have a prior question of trust that must be addressed before we can have meaningful spiritual conversations with them." RR - Pg 66
Until we realize that step of rebuilding trust with people is key to communicating the gospel in an authentic and effective way we will be forever frustrated with our attempts to reach people consistently. If we think we can ignore the trust factor we will not be effective. The question then becomes, how do we rebuild the trust with them?
For one, we give up what RR calls the "Script". That means all the trite little questions and cliches that mean nothign to a post chrisitan culture. It means instead we get in tune with the prompting and leadership of the Holy Spirit and let Him be our guide as to what we need to say and when, if anything.
RR Goes on to talk about developing friendship itentionally by doing the things we love to do but doing them intentionally with non believers. For me, I love to shoot my bow and hunt. I need to use that interest as a bridge and start shooting at the archery shop and building friendships there based on a common interest. That gives me a platform to develop friends in a comfortable way and a way that gives me an instant connection with other guys.
So, do you have a hard time building friendships with non Christians because you don't know where to connect? Answer these two questions RR asks:
1. What do you love to do?
2. How could you do what you love with people who don't know Jesus yet?
Again, we have to get involved here. We can't wait for God to do for us what He has already asked us to do. While He is certainly in partnership with us in all our endeavors, we have to take some steps of faith and be intentional here.
If we all vote to accept the prescription Borden laid out for us we have to be willing to take some hard steps to follow that up. They are hard for me to. They call into question my priorities and how I spend my time. But the mission we are talking about is far greater than any other in existance in terms of value and impact. It's challenging but it's far beyond worth our time to accept and embrace the challenge.
More later....
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Chapter 3 - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Wow! Read these words again carefully: "...likely the most strategic and transforming thing you could do as a leader is to help your church define, strategize, and implement a vision for corporate witness in your community." That is a powerful challenge but think about how liberating this is to you as an individual. Richardson is making the point in this section that it's not all up to just you to witness, win and disciple all on your own. It's the responsibility of the entire body of Christ at Covenant. You are called to be a vital part of that by identifying and using your spiritual gifts and actively participating in the mission.
The next few pages are dedicated to giving a list of general areas of spiritual giftedness. I want each of us to try and identify where we think we are gifted. If you have no idea, post that and let the others on this blog share with you what kind of giftedness they see in you.
When you and I get in sync with our giftedness and let the Holy Spirit express himself through us in that way, I think you will be amazed at how effectifve and satisfied you feel in moving people toward Jesus. It's not up to just you. We are in this together and God has added you to Covenant because you have a gift/gifts that will greatly help our corporate witness. Do what God has called and gifted you to do and God will do what only He can do...save people from sin through faith in Jesus. Cool stuff!
The next few pages are dedicated to giving a list of general areas of spiritual giftedness. I want each of us to try and identify where we think we are gifted. If you have no idea, post that and let the others on this blog share with you what kind of giftedness they see in you.
When you and I get in sync with our giftedness and let the Holy Spirit express himself through us in that way, I think you will be amazed at how effectifve and satisfied you feel in moving people toward Jesus. It's not up to just you. We are in this together and God has added you to Covenant because you have a gift/gifts that will greatly help our corporate witness. Do what God has called and gifted you to do and God will do what only He can do...save people from sin through faith in Jesus. Cool stuff!
Chapter 3 - The Witness of the Community
Richardson states on the bottom of page 50, "Most people will come to faith today in the context of a community. Belonging comes before believing." Community is not a place or a program. Community is the experience of belonging, being known and knowing others on a very personal level. The old model of evangelism effectively kept spiritual seekers at arms length until they accepted Christ inspite of the fact that Jesus himself never modeled that kind of approach. Instead Jesus often accepted the outcast and valued them before they believed. He did that with the blind, the lame, the shameful and the downright sinful. Over and over Jesus afforded people space to feel accepted in order to provide them the freedom to explore and believe subsequently.
There are a lot of reasons for the need to belong before we believe but basically it's because we no longer live in a culture where there is a common biblical understanding that ties our culuture together. People don't have any common spiritual thread of understanding or language that ties them together, speeding up the process of communicating the gospel. Today, we cannot afford to speak Christian ease with those who are not in a realtionship with God. It is probably not a good idea with those who are in that realtionship!
To deal with this, we have to let people establish a sense of belonging in our community of faith as they progress in their spiritual journey. Along the way we love them, answer their questions, share our experiences and invite them to take one step further down the road as we stay by their side in an authentic friendship.
Life Groups and Men's & Women's ministries are ideal for creating the kind of atomosphere where someone can belong and continue on a journey toward Christ. The larger congregation is ok but it is very likely they will remain annonymous and not experience belonging in that context.
This is a fundamental value / belief we, as leadership have to agree upon and uphold in our areas of responsibility if it is going to be a part of the culture at CBC. Let's let people belong before we require them to believe.
This doesn't mean they are alllowed to "join" the church. It means we accept them and lock arms with them before they believe so that they can believe. Remember, they need you. You and I are essential parts of this mission as we partner with God to reach them. He wants our hands and feet, He needs our ears and voice to manifest Jesus to people who are seeking.
I will post a second topic on the second half of chapter 3 where is deals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
There are a lot of reasons for the need to belong before we believe but basically it's because we no longer live in a culture where there is a common biblical understanding that ties our culuture together. People don't have any common spiritual thread of understanding or language that ties them together, speeding up the process of communicating the gospel. Today, we cannot afford to speak Christian ease with those who are not in a realtionship with God. It is probably not a good idea with those who are in that realtionship!
To deal with this, we have to let people establish a sense of belonging in our community of faith as they progress in their spiritual journey. Along the way we love them, answer their questions, share our experiences and invite them to take one step further down the road as we stay by their side in an authentic friendship.
Life Groups and Men's & Women's ministries are ideal for creating the kind of atomosphere where someone can belong and continue on a journey toward Christ. The larger congregation is ok but it is very likely they will remain annonymous and not experience belonging in that context.
This is a fundamental value / belief we, as leadership have to agree upon and uphold in our areas of responsibility if it is going to be a part of the culture at CBC. Let's let people belong before we require them to believe.
This doesn't mean they are alllowed to "join" the church. It means we accept them and lock arms with them before they believe so that they can believe. Remember, they need you. You and I are essential parts of this mission as we partner with God to reach them. He wants our hands and feet, He needs our ears and voice to manifest Jesus to people who are seeking.
I will post a second topic on the second half of chapter 3 where is deals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, December 4, 2009
I have read Chapters 1-3.5. Don't take this to be negative because it is a great book but it
seems to me that RR hasn't asked the question to start this which I think is "why were we created"?
We were created to have a personal relationship with the Trinity. To go along with this we were created to have relationships with each other. Then the questions becomes why haven't we developed these relationships before and how do we do this now?
To me this is sort of where RR starts to explain this in chapters 1-3.5. We have the old model of evangelism which was not fully developed that I personally don't understand which has failed anyway. We have the new model which RR is developing which I believe to be correct. When you look at Blackaby's "Experiencing God" and Rick Warren's books, they seem to say most of these things. What RR is saying is that we have to become relational people to win folks to Christ. That's what Christ and all the apostles did. They went out and made friends and developed relationships.
RR is dead on when he starts with Lord of the Rings and the interaction between persons. Then he goes into where the people are. What he really points out is how bad the previous model was and how bad the church fails as a seemingly majority of the people believe in God they have just been turned off by the church in general. He was dead on with that one. Why were people so turned off by the church? His answers really make sense.
RR was quick to point out the different movies and how they have attracted people. Why?
If we really want to get to know people and properly do evangelism we have to understand where people really are. The movies that people go to is a clue. The bigger the success of a movie the bigger the clue.
To me the church has become very out of touch with the world and the people in it. We don't have to be of the world we just have to understand it and temporarily exist in it.
To me the church became too much like the picture American Gothic with the old man and woman. Who would want to be like that. I know I wouldn't.
Christ loved people and went out among them and was an authentic person who truely loved them. We should do likewise and I believe RR says this quite clearly.
RR is quite clear on what needs to be done and hopefully we will all get the message.
A simple thing like opening the church up to "Friday night at the movies" just for fun and to develop friendships that develop into relationships is a great place to start. Bring your own pop and a few cents to buy popcorn. With our poor ecconomy it could be a great hit. We develop the community and this seems to go along with what RR says on p. 27. "Belonging comes before believing. Evangelism is about helping people belong so that they can come to believe. So our communities need to be places where people can connect before they have to commit." With this we can attract persons from the neighborhood and other friends to come and join us. Would this not be part of what RR is describing? Relationships lead to discussions which are natural where we can share the Gospel and win people to relationships with Christ. How serious are we about this? Are willing to take the time and energy to do something simple like this?
Are we willing to do whatever is nessassary?
Isn't that where we started this?
seems to me that RR hasn't asked the question to start this which I think is "why were we created"?
We were created to have a personal relationship with the Trinity. To go along with this we were created to have relationships with each other. Then the questions becomes why haven't we developed these relationships before and how do we do this now?
To me this is sort of where RR starts to explain this in chapters 1-3.5. We have the old model of evangelism which was not fully developed that I personally don't understand which has failed anyway. We have the new model which RR is developing which I believe to be correct. When you look at Blackaby's "Experiencing God" and Rick Warren's books, they seem to say most of these things. What RR is saying is that we have to become relational people to win folks to Christ. That's what Christ and all the apostles did. They went out and made friends and developed relationships.
RR is dead on when he starts with Lord of the Rings and the interaction between persons. Then he goes into where the people are. What he really points out is how bad the previous model was and how bad the church fails as a seemingly majority of the people believe in God they have just been turned off by the church in general. He was dead on with that one. Why were people so turned off by the church? His answers really make sense.
RR was quick to point out the different movies and how they have attracted people. Why?
If we really want to get to know people and properly do evangelism we have to understand where people really are. The movies that people go to is a clue. The bigger the success of a movie the bigger the clue.
To me the church has become very out of touch with the world and the people in it. We don't have to be of the world we just have to understand it and temporarily exist in it.
To me the church became too much like the picture American Gothic with the old man and woman. Who would want to be like that. I know I wouldn't.
Christ loved people and went out among them and was an authentic person who truely loved them. We should do likewise and I believe RR says this quite clearly.
RR is quite clear on what needs to be done and hopefully we will all get the message.
A simple thing like opening the church up to "Friday night at the movies" just for fun and to develop friendships that develop into relationships is a great place to start. Bring your own pop and a few cents to buy popcorn. With our poor ecconomy it could be a great hit. We develop the community and this seems to go along with what RR says on p. 27. "Belonging comes before believing. Evangelism is about helping people belong so that they can come to believe. So our communities need to be places where people can connect before they have to commit." With this we can attract persons from the neighborhood and other friends to come and join us. Would this not be part of what RR is describing? Relationships lead to discussions which are natural where we can share the Gospel and win people to relationships with Christ. How serious are we about this? Are willing to take the time and energy to do something simple like this?
Are we willing to do whatever is nessassary?
Isn't that where we started this?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Chapter 1
I loved Richardson's comparison of travel guides or spiritual mentors to the characters in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Not only did he develop that concept but he explained some of what I hadn't nailed down regarding the characters. His interpretation of Galadriel revealing the "temptation with which she struggles. She becomes vulnerable about her own soul's darkness. But she also shares her triumph." p.23 How many times when I share my weaknesses and struggles does God allow me to see the help and hope it brings to another struggling soul. It becomes clear when Sam speaks to his friend Mr. Frodo that we don't need to be eloquent but honest about the hope we have in our Savior, Jesus. That the "plan" we see is not the big plan and that it is alright if Christ choses to leave us in our struggle while His big "plan" is being accomplished. We will never be able to understand His ways, at least not in this life.
How about p.27 where the "what if" is that we rediscover the role and reality of the Holy Spirit. I love a mystery, looking for clues regarding where God is already at work is not only inspiring, it also makes sense! Don't we wish we always did that! :>) Henry Blackaby taught us to think this way many years ago.
And Richardson's points on community where he says, "Evangelism is about helping people belong so they can come to believe." Somewhere they "can connect before they commit". Weren't we all there once? p. 27 This is right on good-stuff.
I really related to the comment about that "we are at different points along the way". p.29 I recall when I was a new believer that my spiritual mentors talked about that very fact. Obviously, I, a new believer was not where my new friends and mentors were in my Biblical knowledge or faith but that didn't change my standing with Christ or theirs. We were now on the same path but at different distances from where we each began.
Isn't it exciting to know that as we each continue to develop our relationship with the Holy Spirit, our trust in Him will grow and our experience with Him teaching and leading us will become clearer and as He promises He will direct our paths to who God has for us to share ourselves with authentically.
How about p.27 where the "what if" is that we rediscover the role and reality of the Holy Spirit. I love a mystery, looking for clues regarding where God is already at work is not only inspiring, it also makes sense! Don't we wish we always did that! :>) Henry Blackaby taught us to think this way many years ago.
And Richardson's points on community where he says, "Evangelism is about helping people belong so they can come to believe." Somewhere they "can connect before they commit". Weren't we all there once? p. 27 This is right on good-stuff.
I really related to the comment about that "we are at different points along the way". p.29 I recall when I was a new believer that my spiritual mentors talked about that very fact. Obviously, I, a new believer was not where my new friends and mentors were in my Biblical knowledge or faith but that didn't change my standing with Christ or theirs. We were now on the same path but at different distances from where we each began.
Isn't it exciting to know that as we each continue to develop our relationship with the Holy Spirit, our trust in Him will grow and our experience with Him teaching and leading us will become clearer and as He promises He will direct our paths to who God has for us to share ourselves with authentically.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Chapter 2 - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism
Richardson states on the bottom of page 32 "Nothing would transform our pictures and practices of evangelism like rediscovering the role of the Holy Spirit and learning to go along for the ride." To, me that sums up this chapter very well. Evagelism or proclaiming the Good News is an intensely spiritual endeavor and for me I have, in the past, made it more of a duty that is done whenever I felt enough guilt to prompt me to action. In this chapter we are being challenged to stay in sync with the movement and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Thus we respond to His leadership and follow him into a conversation instead of barging into a persons life not knowing whether or not God was working in their life or not. Recognizing that God is truly at work in other people is powerful and exciting. I feel a freedom knowing that I can trust the Spirit to lead me in sharing my faith or helping move others toward Christ instead of me having to discover that by trial and error. Question: Richardson states on page 34 near the bottom of the page, "But I do not believe Jesus did all those miracles and knew all those things because He was God." He says on the top of the next page, "The key is not that Jesus is divine but that Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit." What do you think he is saying here? Is this a statement about the diety of Christ or is it a statement about empowering presence of the Holy Spirit? If it is the latter, how can that impact us as we seek to Reimagine evangelism in 2010? If it is a statement about His diety, how do you interpret that?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Are We Excused, Is It Just To Hard? It Isn;t My Fault They Do Not Tust!
Chapter four, dives right into what I have heard so many times. From the lost I hear that they have already been let down and do not trust anymore. From the saved I hear that it is not the fault of the individual church member, that others have sinned and smudged the image of the Church Universal. Thank God in His Trinity that He never felt like, "well it's not my fault, I never have sinned, forget about them I have perfection". Thank fully He is not like us.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Am I seeing things right?
Is this the first time anyone has posted anything on this blog since Nov.the 11TH??? I was hoping we would share some excitment! This book is really cool, it gives me hope that we can change our community for Christ. Have all of of us old fooggies insulated ourselves away from the world so much we truly do not know any lost folks? Carol and Carly we are counting on you and your life group! Facebook tells me that our youngest members are the only folks still associated with people whom are not yet church! Well that is not really true, Facebook suggests still other members are touched by the world still. Lets pray that our eyes will be opened folks, and lets spend some time out side our holy huddels. Is everybodys hairdresser and barber saved? Do you go inside your bank or credit union? Do you know a teller? Lets make an effort to find relationships. No more drive throughs, pick a branch, pick a teller.
If I can get under your skin could you get under someone elses?
If I can get under your skin could you get under someone elses?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A community for those that are not here yet.
Chapter 3 of the book calls us to be that church that Pastor Casey has been talking about! A church focused on being the community that exists for those that are not there yet. It is not about us and you do not need to first know the secret code before you arrive.
If I were an enemy and I wanted to attack a community, one of the first things I would do would be to divide them. Individuals are so much easier prey. If I couldnt break them into individuals at least seperate house holds, isolated away from their neighbors. Then as I came in for the kill many would not know what was going on.
There is an enemy and I just described North America.
Richardson, conveys that today the isolation that has been deepening in our communities has left large numbers not knowing the elementry basics of our faith.
I know a guy in his 50's who named his dog Luke. He had no idea it was a biblical name, let alone the name of a gospel, (he didn't know what a gospel was either). He had choosen it from an old movie, "Cool Hand Luke" and wanted it made clear it was not about that skywalker guy. Anyway the point is he grew up in a family that was unchurched and raised his kids the same and they have kids now. They are a long way from God and his people. There are two churchs in sight of where he lives. In the twenty years he has lived in his home he has never meet anyone that went to those churchs. He told me I am the only guy who has ever bugged him much about church.
When I think about it I am not sure why a guy like him would ever just decide to go to church any way. He doesn't know he is missing anything. Now I am thinking differently, the next time I see him I am going to tell him that I have been praying for him. Then I am going to ask him if there is anything he would like my prayers for him to contain or cover. Where you going to go when you die, has never seemed friendly to me, even if it is. Next time my Christian buddies are doing a guy thing or a go and serve someone else thing, he is invited for sure. I need to invite him to our community, we have some nice folks.
Richardson says on page 51, "the conversion process takes longer and requires learning the language, concepts and identity of being Christian. This kind of learning can take place only in community".
If I were an enemy and I wanted to attack a community, one of the first things I would do would be to divide them. Individuals are so much easier prey. If I couldnt break them into individuals at least seperate house holds, isolated away from their neighbors. Then as I came in for the kill many would not know what was going on.
There is an enemy and I just described North America.
Richardson, conveys that today the isolation that has been deepening in our communities has left large numbers not knowing the elementry basics of our faith.
I know a guy in his 50's who named his dog Luke. He had no idea it was a biblical name, let alone the name of a gospel, (he didn't know what a gospel was either). He had choosen it from an old movie, "Cool Hand Luke" and wanted it made clear it was not about that skywalker guy. Anyway the point is he grew up in a family that was unchurched and raised his kids the same and they have kids now. They are a long way from God and his people. There are two churchs in sight of where he lives. In the twenty years he has lived in his home he has never meet anyone that went to those churchs. He told me I am the only guy who has ever bugged him much about church.
When I think about it I am not sure why a guy like him would ever just decide to go to church any way. He doesn't know he is missing anything. Now I am thinking differently, the next time I see him I am going to tell him that I have been praying for him. Then I am going to ask him if there is anything he would like my prayers for him to contain or cover. Where you going to go when you die, has never seemed friendly to me, even if it is. Next time my Christian buddies are doing a guy thing or a go and serve someone else thing, he is invited for sure. I need to invite him to our community, we have some nice folks.
Richardson says on page 51, "the conversion process takes longer and requires learning the language, concepts and identity of being Christian. This kind of learning can take place only in community".
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
We must be disciples, submitting to the Spirit, Ch 2
Chapter two, just drives home the power that we have available to us. A disciple knows that Christ likeness is the goal. What are the things we see our Lord doing in the Gospels? He knew His word, He kept a close relationship with His Father through prayer, and His Father sent the Holy Spirit to Him. We know this part from the testimony of John the Baptist, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from Heaven and resting upon Him. I didnt know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, He told me,"The one on who you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit." I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that He is the Chosen One of God." Befor His ascension, Jesus promised His disciples "And now I will send the Holy Spirit just as my Father promised." Look at Acts chapter 2, His promise was fulfilled and the prophesy of Joel was preached by Peter, "In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servents-men and women alike."
My fellow disciples these are those days! Let the Spirit lead us in God's Word, if we beleave He will transform us into the likeness we are called to. Then we will see the things God has prepared for us and we can join in His work and be used with power from Heaven. We must be disciples our selves, this is submission, our own nature will struggle with this for sure. Confessing this struggle should remind us as well what we are asking our neighbor to do. We give ourselves up to be transformed, it is a struggle that the enemy pounds us with. Have mercy on your neighbor, he is under attack as well and may not have a clue about it.
Read chapter two carefully, I think it is the most important part of this book. Be edified by the statement on page 36. " The only witness that bears fruit is collabrative witness, directed by the Holy Spirit."
We will never make disciples with out being one. I think that is why we are in such a mess in North America and our churchs are loosing ground. We may be beleavers, saved by Grace but not disciples transformed into the likeness of Christ.
My fellow disciples these are those days! Let the Spirit lead us in God's Word, if we beleave He will transform us into the likeness we are called to. Then we will see the things God has prepared for us and we can join in His work and be used with power from Heaven. We must be disciples our selves, this is submission, our own nature will struggle with this for sure. Confessing this struggle should remind us as well what we are asking our neighbor to do. We give ourselves up to be transformed, it is a struggle that the enemy pounds us with. Have mercy on your neighbor, he is under attack as well and may not have a clue about it.
Read chapter two carefully, I think it is the most important part of this book. Be edified by the statement on page 36. " The only witness that bears fruit is collabrative witness, directed by the Holy Spirit."
We will never make disciples with out being one. I think that is why we are in such a mess in North America and our churchs are loosing ground. We may be beleavers, saved by Grace but not disciples transformed into the likeness of Christ.
Definition of a Disciple
As Casey has asked us all to consider the definition of a disciple and respond back to him if we are all on the same page, I did that, e-mailing him my answer. He has asked me to share what I wrote back to him here. So here it is (plus a little more):
After having read the definition below, I am completely in agreement with what you're saying ... I, too, long for a time when there is NO ONE at CBC just "playing Christian" or "playing church" ... we cannot expect God to use us unless we, as individuals and community, are fully-committed to moving forward, toward Jesus and becoming like Him, which leads us to passionately desire to help others on their journey towards Him. And you're right, there is no "completed by" date on this ... not 'til we get to be in His presence in Heaven. I am praying for our CBC family that all will either be on board with this or be weeded out (which I know sounds harsh) but God was pretty clear when he said "take out the fakers" from among the believers because they cause distractions and tend to be self-focused rather than God-focused. So there are my $.02 worth :) Hopefully that's what you wanted from me :)
On a side note ... I know I owe you one more name of my "intentional relationship" list ... I have been excitedly working with Rebecca ... and even got the opportunity to pray with her yesterday ... see, God is SO cool that he has brought her son to Topeka (from Texas where he lived with his dad) as well brought him to be enrolled in Wanamaker Elementary as a 5th grader, BUT ALAS to be IN ELLIS' class AND unbeknownst to the teacher of this intentional relationship, now has her son sitting RIGHT NEXT to Ellis! How incredibly cool is that? She was SO worried about his first day at school yesterday and so I asked her if I could pray with her (to which she agreed) and so we prayed, right there on the spot ... :) I LOVE THAT!!! GOD is at WORK there!
So ... all that to say this ... I have been earnestly praying that God would lay on my heart the next one ... the next person that I can help on their journey ... and maybe that's not the right approach ... but I just haven't come to anyone yet. I have a lead of a non-believing mom of one of Carly's friends, but that has not been established and if it is established, that will be an "online" relationship most likely as they don't live here (I don't think). So ... am I taking the wrong approach with asking God to lead me to the second one? If so, how should I be praying? I'm excited that God would even use me at all ... I just want to be accountable and fulfill the request that you've given to us.
After having read the definition below, I am completely in agreement with what you're saying ... I, too, long for a time when there is NO ONE at CBC just "playing Christian" or "playing church" ... we cannot expect God to use us unless we, as individuals and community, are fully-committed to moving forward, toward Jesus and becoming like Him, which leads us to passionately desire to help others on their journey towards Him. And you're right, there is no "completed by" date on this ... not 'til we get to be in His presence in Heaven. I am praying for our CBC family that all will either be on board with this or be weeded out (which I know sounds harsh) but God was pretty clear when he said "take out the fakers" from among the believers because they cause distractions and tend to be self-focused rather than God-focused. So there are my $.02 worth :) Hopefully that's what you wanted from me :)
On a side note ... I know I owe you one more name of my "intentional relationship" list ... I have been excitedly working with Rebecca ... and even got the opportunity to pray with her yesterday ... see, God is SO cool that he has brought her son to Topeka (from Texas where he lived with his dad) as well brought him to be enrolled in Wanamaker Elementary as a 5th grader, BUT ALAS to be IN ELLIS' class AND unbeknownst to the teacher of this intentional relationship, now has her son sitting RIGHT NEXT to Ellis! How incredibly cool is that? She was SO worried about his first day at school yesterday and so I asked her if I could pray with her (to which she agreed) and so we prayed, right there on the spot ... :) I LOVE THAT!!! GOD is at WORK there!
So ... all that to say this ... I have been earnestly praying that God would lay on my heart the next one ... the next person that I can help on their journey ... and maybe that's not the right approach ... but I just haven't come to anyone yet. I have a lead of a non-believing mom of one of Carly's friends, but that has not been established and if it is established, that will be an "online" relationship most likely as they don't live here (I don't think). So ... am I taking the wrong approach with asking God to lead me to the second one? If so, how should I be praying? I'm excited that God would even use me at all ... I just want to be accountable and fulfill the request that you've given to us.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
I Have Emerged From The Wilderness
It wasn't 40 years but it wasn't 40 minutes either. Thank God for rescuing me from the wilderness better know as cyber space and now I am "blogging" ! Reader Beware !
Monday, November 2, 2009
Welcome Reimagining Team!
First, let me thank you all for being willing to read this book. I want to invite each of you to comment chapter by chapter on your thoughts, insights, concerns or questions. Please be as honest as you can with your comments. We want to learn from each other. I am not asking any of you to mindlessly swallow everything you read in this book. I am asking you to allow it to get you to think beyond what we typically envision regarding evangelism. We will schedule a face to face discussion meeting by the end of the week. We will try to allow that to take place prior to Thanksgiving. In the mean time please read through chapter one and post your thoughts by the end of the week. Next week we will try to work through at least two chapters. Don't forget to email me the names of two people you are going to intentionally develop a frienship with over the next few months.
I really look forward to growing and learning along side each of you! Thanks for participating!
I really look forward to growing and learning along side each of you! Thanks for participating!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Reimagining Evangelism - The need for a new approach
Chapter 1 of this book raises the question of the validity of the old/traditional model of evangelism. It sums up this approach as seeing the Christian as a sales person with all the answers, ready to make and close a deal with anyone willing to listen. This is the model of a spiritual sales person and inherently brings some probelms with it in todays culture. First of all door to door salesmen are viewed with skepticism by the vast majority of people today. Secondly, most people who are trying to follow Christ today do not have the skills or personality make up of a salesperson. Thirdly, Jesus is not for sale. By that I mean it is not our job to convince someone of their need for what we have to offer. Anyone who has tried this approach to talking to other people about Jesus has learned the hard way how ineffective it is.
What Rick Richardson presents in chapter 1 is a new way of thinking about our role as witnesses and representatives for Christ. Instead of sales person, we take the role of a guide who is willing to come along side those who have spiritual interest in the context of authentic friendship with no real agenda or sense that we have to talk someone into following Jesus. Instead we are authentic and open in that friendship about our faith and our questions. We don't portray ourselves as spiritual giants with all the answers and no uncertainty. We are more honest and talk with people about our own exprience and journey through the context of the friendship. Even at that Richardson suggests letting it come very naturally and maintaining a high degree of sensitivity to the prompting of God's Spirit in each conversation we have. Not everyone is interested and open to seeking out a relationship with God. No need to try and force what not even God will choose to force.
It's a new way to think and starts this re-imagining process out in a very exciting way. More to come.
What Rick Richardson presents in chapter 1 is a new way of thinking about our role as witnesses and representatives for Christ. Instead of sales person, we take the role of a guide who is willing to come along side those who have spiritual interest in the context of authentic friendship with no real agenda or sense that we have to talk someone into following Jesus. Instead we are authentic and open in that friendship about our faith and our questions. We don't portray ourselves as spiritual giants with all the answers and no uncertainty. We are more honest and talk with people about our own exprience and journey through the context of the friendship. Even at that Richardson suggests letting it come very naturally and maintaining a high degree of sensitivity to the prompting of God's Spirit in each conversation we have. Not everyone is interested and open to seeking out a relationship with God. No need to try and force what not even God will choose to force.
It's a new way to think and starts this re-imagining process out in a very exciting way. More to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)