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Everything Changes

The more messed up this world gets, the more God makes sense.

The Fringes

"In the study of the history of missions, one can be formulaic about asserting that all great missionary movements begin at the fringes of the church, among the poor and the marginalized, and seldom, if ever, at the center. It seems that when the church engages at the fringes, it almost always brings life to the center."

[ Alan Hirsch | The Forgotten Ways ]
I can't help but think about about all the people I know outside the walls of my church. People I interact with on a regular basis. Is it my goal to get them to come inside? Or simply for Jesus to become their Lord, whether they come to church or not.

Andrew (not his real name) thanks me all the time for the things I've done for him and his family, and then apologizes for not coming to my church! Am I making him feel pressure to come?

Lately I've been trying to teach Andrew that he can reach out to God anywhere - whenever he needs God to help him. He still doesn't "get it" but I believe one day he will.

And then what?! Should he start attending a church? Or... should I disciple him... in the context of his own world?

Wow. Just thinking about it. I know a LOT of "Andrews" in my city. Perhaps as many as the number of "attenders" at my church!
At this point I began writing down the names of people that I know outside the walls of my church. Non-Christian friends, acquaintances, business associates. People that I visit or see on a regular basis. I stopped writing at 65 names. After reviewing the list, I began to remember other people that I know, also unchurched. My God. There are a LOT.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

[ Matthew 9:36-38 | New Living Translation ]

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 10:23 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.

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11:58 AM

I'm there with ya on this one Paul. Getting someone into the building has never been my focus. It's our "mission" to tell and show people who and what Christ is all about. What they do with that, is up to them.

I've had friends WANT to come to church just to see "how it's done" because of the way I've dealt with them OUTSIDE the church. We shouldn't be pressuring people to go to church. They should be wanting to go (or having some for of it elsewhere) because of how they feel about what we've represented.    



7:51 PM

hey good blog...i like what you had to say. we had someone just come through and they talked about people being pre-christians...not non-christians...interesting perspective huh. Anyway hope your doing good.

will    



11:53 PM

Great post. I like your stuff a lot.    



12:39 PM

i don't necissarily believe that people should be led directly into church when they come into relationship with Jesus, but it is important that they grow nearer and nearer to God. in a good church, this will happen. knowing how some churches are, it would probably be a terrible thing for newborn christians to attend.    



11:10 AM

Very good entry here. it made me reflect on all those that i interact with that are outside of my church walls. My pastor just preached on us bringing others into the Kingdom just by us living Holy. There are times when i must ask myself if my lifestyle is lining up with the Word of God. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.    



10:40 PM

It's interesting that this photo shows a beggar in the middle and those who are wealthier on the fringes.

Hmmmm :-)

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot;

I wish that you were cold or hot.

'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

Rev 3    



1:00 PM

From the fringes ...

adeus General    



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