Sound Off
I have been talking about how we have to do things differently if we are going to reach many of the groups in our world. Yesterday’s post about the “Church Under The Bridge” is just one example of one group that is doing something differently. I know that the Rochester Church of Christ where Patrick Mead preaches is reaching out in a couple different ways outside their building, but I am not familiar with what they are actually doing. So I said all that to ask you, what do you know about? What are Christians, in your tribe or not, doing that is missional – emergent – outside the box? And a second question? What are some ways we can beginning to put into action this whole concept of reaching out like Jesus did. Radical or not, what do you think? I really would like to hear from you and hear your ideas..
Thinking of you...
Thankful for you... (Comment this)
1. He confronted racism (Jn 4).
2. He confronted sexism (Jn 4, Jn 8, etc.)
3. He confronted materialism (Lk. 18.18f)
4. He confronted legalism (Lk. 18)
5. He confronted antinomianism (Mt. 5.20)
6. He confronted sectarianism (Mt. 23.13)
7. He confronted traditionalism (Mk. 7)
8. He confronted nationalism (Lk. 13)
9. He confronted religionism (Mt. 6)
No doubt this list could be continued. What helps me is to ask what "isms" are clashing with the kingdom today, infecting my neighborhood, church, family? What "isms" are acting as slave masters, choking the life out of humanity? Some of the biggest threats I see around me are monism, gnosticism, spiritualism, materialism, individualism, nationalism, cultural elitism, utilitarianism, neo-Platonism, existentialism, to name a few. For me, spreading the gospel means inverting those parodies by action (and words when necessary). Everyone of those "isms" can be confronted by all of us in a variety of places and times. We have to be in prayer about "how" and be realistic enough to appreciate that the work of redemption is also dangerous. I also think we have to keep in mind how ingenious Jesus was in His approach. Confrontation didn't mean "in your face" battle. He never mentions racism or sexism to the woman at the well. But with great courage, He confronts both by simply talking to her. And John doesn't have to rub our nose in the subjects either; rather, he describes Jesus' conversation with the woman with enough subtle detail to get the point across. We need to learn from Jesus and John how to more elegantly confront a world that's quite prepared to do battle overtly but defenseless against subtle presentations of cruciformed agape.
I'm behind, and was supposed to write about this in more detail at my blog site last week. Maybe I can get caught up soon!
Ben (Comment this)
No question but that His life "lived" through us is a most powerful testimony to His power in us and a great testimony to others. I am always grateful for your thoughts perspective (Comment this)