We wanted to use this forum to share a little bit of life as we enter this new season. We covet your prayers and and are hungry for your thoughts as we all - together - move forward in winning the world for Jesus, starting on our local fronts.
So lets start!
How? GET OUT THERE!
This morning on my drive into the office I began to rundown the mental list of all the things I need to get done. You know, that one that seemingly grows larger the more you think about it?
But then a radical thought occurred to me.
I want to be a witness for Jesus AND a transforming, missional presence in my community. So even with all the feelings of 'I have to go to the office to do my work' or "'They' will think I'm lazy if I don't show up at ___ and work till ___" or 'I don't really have time right now' or 'The city is huge, I don't know where to start'... I just decided to do it. To begin. To GET OUT THERE.
So here I am writing to you from a café in Atlanta.
So then what? How is this missional? How is the world going to be won by me having coffee?
14So The Word became humand and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.e And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1 - NLT)So the Gospel goal, our soul saving why, all reaches its fullness at the cross. We get that. But even that moment begins in mission. A systematic theology of mission would point out that mission began 'in' The Trinity, with the mission of God bursting forth from the foundations of the universe. Then the need for salvation being confirmed in the fall of humankind, and the remedy for a sin sick world coming to fullness in the atonement between God and man.
Again, so what does this have to do with me having coffee?
Well, Jesus came, He actually showed up in person. He made it personal. Although He held within Himself keys to unlock eternity, we see that He still made time to have a campfire and grill some fish for/with His friends. He stopped for the one in front of Him, and this is the gift of incarnation. Mission reaches fullness in incarnation.
So lets incarnate on our local front, in the community where God has planted you.
Let's talk about some practical tips:
1. MAKE IT PERSONAL - What are you passionate about? Is it possible that God wants to use your passions, when sanctified, to reach the world for jesus? Maybe you hate coffee, so don't go to a coffee shop. Maybe you love reading, so it's off to the library for you; Maybe you love fitness, so hit the gym. But just GET OUT THERE! God doesn't want your mission to be dreadful. We are to be salt. Salt adds flavour. Keep it salty.
2. STOP, DROP, AND LISTEN - Don't show up to these places with all the answers. Stop for a moment; pray and ask God to show you where He is already at work. We don't have to show up with all the answers, or even with any answers. Just be you. Also - and some may disagree - don't start by inviting someone to a program. I know we all feel like we have to get people to come to our programs, but I wonder; are the people there for the programs - or are the programs there for the people? (hmm...let's chew on that). Let's DO invite people into community, to church, and yes, to our programs. This is good. Just maybe not effective as the first conversation.
3. A-B-C (ALWAYS BE CLOSING) - Although I'm big on not forcing an invite, and attraction rather than promotion, it's important to recognize that people don't just ask questions randomly. If someone is asking a spiritual question, or a Jesus question, go for it. As you get to know someone, and they start asking deeper questions, be bold. If your librarian says they have had a rough week, and feel overwhelmed, that's the moment where you say ... 'I believe in the power of prayer - let's pray'. When one of the dads on the little league team you coach shares their marriage is in trouble; that's the moment to ask if they would like to feel a greater sense of peace about where they are at in life, and naturally lead them into that prayer to receive peace ...
THEN INVITE THEM TO THE PROGRAM! (Or Church)
Church doesn't get people saved - people get people saved - yes, people enabled by Holy Spirit. But God has chosen YOU to share His Good News! With the world! Starting with the community you are in!
So day one ...
- I bought coffee
- I found out my barista's name
- I intentionally prayed and listened
PRO TIP - You can get the servers name on the receipt!
I'll be back. Also, when they asked me if I was a pilot, I got to have a great conversation about 'our' neighbourhood.
What are YOU going to do next week to get into YOUR community? GET OUT THERE!
The World For God!
