Opening our Perceptions

By admin August 2nd, 2010, under Uncategorized

I thoroughly enjoyed your message today on Christian Evangelism, citing some of your own experiences and then sharing out of Acts, about Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.  I liked the truths  you presented, ripping open some of the small “boxed” perceptions of sharing Christ with others and walking us into a broader place of seeing how it is God who initiates meeting a person, in His way and timing; and invites us to be open to His Spirit and collaborate with Him, in His work, of sharing the good news.    One of my favorite passages of scripture is Ps. 139, revealing that before we ever knew God, He was there, at the time of our conception, forming us in our mother’s womb!    This obviously, applies to every human being; and I  believe speaks of the dignity and love we are meant to have for every person.   That scripture helps me to see how actively and intimately He is involved in each person’s life, whether they know it or not!

Two days ago, I wrote a song with these words:

A Child Of The Father

He is the foundation
Of my life’s story:
I’m wanted and loved
By the Father of glory!

That’s who I am:
A child of the Father;
I’m His blessed son
Or His royal daughter!
I was formed in His heart
And shaped by His hand,
Designed in secret,
In His loving plan!
Yes, He’s always wanted you,
And He’s always wanted me,
To be with Him forever:
Part of His family!

L.S. Congdon; 7/29/2010

It is amazing and beyond words, that God would invite us to partner or collaborate with Him in sharing with others the good news of His love and forgiveness!

Well, we are off to Kratie Province tomorrow morning, back to our “home” there.  Thanks again for His heart and word that you shared with us today!

Blessings,  Linda

Joining God in Evangelism

By admin August 2nd, 2010, under Uncategorized

In a recent newsletter, Brian Seim, writes about the comparison between outreach and what he calls ‘with-reach’ i.e., having a journeying mentality in bringing people to God. With-reach authors summarize:

In many ways, ‘outreach’ is no longer working. And in the way we generally do it, maybe it shouldn’t. Outreach defines problems (in the lives of the unchurched) and announces answers. Instead of “You have a spiritual need; I have the solution,” a ‘with-reach’ mindset comes alongside people to discover the story of God being played out in their story, so that they reach for the purposes of God together. In this way people come into the Kingdom naturally and with a better understanding of God’s heart and ways, as genuine relationship is built in the context of real life community.

Outreach tends to focus on locating unchurched people who need God and zeroing in on either immediate conversion or membership or both. With-reach tends to awaken the desire for God through a direct experience of God’s essential nature and ways by experiencing community first hand. With-reach communicates “We are in this journey of purpose together; come along and help. We both have much to give; we both have much to learn.”

Examine your activities, community media and ministry, the events, the invitations, the way you connect with visitors, the way you follow-up, the total atmosphere, in light of with-reach thinking.

Here are some of the differences between doing evangelism the old way and the new way:

Old-style Evangelism

New-style Evangelism

Unchurched are nameless faces and numbers

Incarnational

Confrontational

People are unique and vital treasures

We do good things for people

We do good things for people by doing things with them

Transformation imposed from the outside

Transformation created from within

Monologue

Conversation

Superiority

Humility

Church-speak

Human voice

Great Commission priority

Great Commandment is the engine of mission

We have what you need; you have nothing to give

We both have much to give; we both have much to learn

You cannot contribute until post-conversion

You can experience God in giving and serving

Fearful of differences

Honouring of and dependent on diversity

Clergy/laity split

Priesthood of every believer

Sunday AM priority

24/7 community and holistic life

Church is domain of the sacred

Church is catalyst for God’s rule in every sphere of life

What would Jesus do?

What is Jesus doing?

Religious jargon

Language of dreams (aspiration/spiritual purpose)

Paternalistic overtones

Honour and respect

Mission is my Business!

By admin July 11th, 2010, under Uncategorized

On my way back from church today I was pondering how as Christians we can be engaged in every aspect of life, not just in the Sunday service. We have kept separate the sacred and secular spheres and struggled to introduce our faith into our everyday lives. Fortunately today there is a refreshing move to do away with this dichotomy. Christians are being encouraged to stop seeing the world in dualistic terms. ‘This is my Father’s world’ is a hymn that keeps repeating in my head. God is not only involved in every aspect of His cosmos; He is deeply interested in all we do. Our faith in Jesus needs to affect every aspect, every dimension of our lives. I have often used an illustration to explain what I mean. Let me repeat that example here.

Imagine a Christian baker, working in his shop; kneading the dough, baking the bread and selling his products to his customers. In a world that sees a separation between the sacred life and the secular world [of business] the baker would be expected to witness for Christ in certain suggested ways. He would probably employ Christian staff who would be of a good moral standing. The day would presumably start in prayer, especially asking for the ability to take advantage of the opportunities for witness that may occur during the day.

A Christian witness might be done through providing gospel tracts in each bag with the bread bought by customers. A Christian symbol may even be baked into the bread itself – hopefully prompting customers to ask its meaning! Of course the staff would be encouraged to befriend customers in order to do ‘friendship evangelism’. (This does raise a dilemma for the owner of the shop who does not want his staff spending all their time speaking to customers and neglecting their other duties!) Christian music might play in the background. Of course, ten percent of profits would be given to some ministry or mission organisation. Isn’t this the reason business exists – to support the real work of the Gospel? Countless examples might be quoted as evidence that God has blessed the business that increasingly uses its profits for the support of Christian work in the world.

Many business people have attempted this model and become frustrated with the tensions that are evident. How do I get the staff to work and witness? Is the sole reason for my business to make money to support missions? Is this method of evangelising effective anymore? Is my business just a vehicle for the real work – the work of the gospel?

There is another model; one which does not separate the sacred from the secular sphere. It may even sanctify the secular! I believe it provides for a much more satisfactory integration of the gospel into everyday life.

Imagine if the same baker, instead of seeing his baking as a vehicle for the gospel, saw it as an act of godly creation in itself! The very act of baking bread being the work of God! He is a baker for God! His bakery is not just a business place where attempts are made to evangelise, but a place where as a co-worker with God, he bakes bread. (It reminds me of a carpenter who was God’s son.) The very act of making bread is a divine moment of creation where the baker participates in the creativity of the Father of the universe.

It changes everything! He will need to find the best ingredients possible to create the best bread possible. He will be concerned about the origin and quality of his ingredients. (No dubious additives here!) He will treat his staff in ways befitting a divine enterprise. Salaries will be fair and working conditions will be safe. Even his customers will know that they are getting the best possible product for the best value because the baker, while making a decent living, will be concerned about the customers he serves. He will not be trying to overinflate the cost of his goods. He will be aware of the sacredness of all creation and will try to play his part in being a steward of the earth and its resources. Interesting moral questions will be raised such as; should he use plastic bags and should he use carbon based or electric fires. Of course by reputation for honesty and compassion, he will find many opportunities to share with his clients his life and his faith. Every area of his life and business will be affected by his relationship to God.

Model one to my mind is less effective than model two at allowing God to be an influence in every aspect of our lives. Of course instead of a baker, a person may be a plumber, an accountant, a clerk or any of a myriad other vocations. I do wonder whether a Christian who unites the sacred and secular spheres of their lives would be able to engage in certain businesses; tobacco industry, casinos or even less clear industries that may be exploitative and damaging.

Richard

Welcome to the ICF Blog!

By admin December 10th, 2009, under Uncategorized

I hope this will become a place where we will feel free to share and discuss! Feel free to send me your contributions.