The outreach of the church is only as effective as the ability of Christians to make genuine friendships and connections with people who are not Christ followers. The big problem for all of us is that the longer we are Christians, and the more “Christian” our lives become, i.e. going to “Christian” concerts, going to “Christian” school functions, watching movies with “Christian” themes, shopping at “Christian” book stores, etc. The less contact and the less in common we have with those who are not Christian. I don’t view this as a small problem, but it is one with a simple yet challenging answer. We have to go to where they are.
This answer is by no means new; in fact it is exactly the formula that we are given in scripture. The disciples where sent out to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” In Matt 10:5. And then the scope becomes wider in Matt 28:19 where we are commanded to go and make disciples in all the nations. Acts 1:8 again we are commanded to be witnesses in all the earth. And this is implied in the command to love your neighbor, how can you love someone you do not know, how can you show someone love unless you engage them on some level.
I am convinced that I am doing something wrong, that I have very little contact with lost people. Jesus not only commanded us to know and love the lost, but He gave himself as the example to follow. Christ was much more likely to be found with prostitutes, drunks, and adulterers than He was to be found with priests or in the temple.
Several years ago, I made it a point to go to comic book stores frequently. There I find my people, we talk a similar language, and we have a shared story, and instant kinship. I got to know the names of the people that worked there and saw regulars every Wednesday (new comic book day) and even for an introvert it was easy to strike up conversations. I stopped going to the comic book store because it was expensive, time consuming and bit too geeky at times. But, I can’t help but think that it was there in the comic book shop that I engaged in “real” ministry, much more real than what takes place on the stage on Sunday mornings. Maybe it’s time to go back to the comic book store, and look for opportunities to minister? Maybe it’s time to go to them, my Israel and be a witness?
How about you, where is your Israel?
Who Dat?
- David
- What is Pre-Futurist? The big buzz word in our world has been "postmodern" referring to as The Compact Oxford English Dictionary refers to postmodernism as "a style and concept in the arts characterized by distrust of theories and ideologies and by the drawing of attention to conventions" This is usually seen as starting in the 1920's and continuing today. As a result of this postmodern era, the church has struggled to find relevance in the modern day world. Often seen as archaic at best and harmful, small minded and bigoted to others the church has been trying to come along side the postmodern person and help them view church differently. Pre-futurist, is about looking to the future and getting ahead of the curve. Instead of treading behind as the church often has, let us be more diligent in looking forward, predicting cultural change, and even initiating some change ourselves.
1 comment:
David, I feel the need to let you know that I have been reading your blog, but have been a terrible commenter. First off, you are a great writer! Seriously. And secondly, I loved this post. I am going to have to think where "My Israel" is. Right now, it is my neighbors, but I could do even better. Hope you are enjoying blogging!
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