BBQ First
I know that outreach can be a scary thing to some of you. I remember the days back when churches were doing a thing called Evangelism Explosion – an effective outreach ministry where you’d go door to door and ask very personal questions. You’d go through intensive training to help build your confidence, memorize scripture and learn how to lead someone in the sinner’s prayer to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Going door to door certainly wasn’t everyone’s thing. It was very personally challenging and often very uncomfortable. No one likes a door slammed in their face. And in the 1980’s that’s often what you got. While Evangelism Explosion was very effective in the 70’s, it was not seen as culturally friendly by the mid 80’s.
As Christians, however, we are still called to reach people for Christ. It’s not limited to those with the gift of evangelism. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus makes it real clear what the mission of the church is. “18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Our focus as a church is to gather people into the kingdom, teach and mentor these new Christians into devoted followers of Christ. We will see lives transformed. It’s an awesome and rewarding venture, but a great challenge as well. The encouraging part of that verse is that Jesus says he’ll be with us in this and that he has given us authority.
And while it may be somewhat unnerving to go one-on-one with someone about their need for Christ, we are nonetheless compelled.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
So what does this have to do with BBQing? EVERYTHING!
While you may not be comfortable with door-to-door confrontation, there is one thing you CAN and should do….. BBQ. It’s something you would do anyway.
God wants to use you to reach others in your natural settings; home, work, play, daily chores…etc. Our relationships should be intentional so that we make time to develop them. It’s not just about handing someone at work or a neighbor an invitation and thinking, “whew, I did it”.
Reaching people for Christ is all about relationships. When I think about the people that we have brought to the church and others who have given their lives to Christ, they have done so through a relationship with our family. God uses those relationships and other experiences to draw people into his kingdom.
If we are sincere about our walk with God, then we make time for people who need him. We BBQ together, go to events together, watch a hockey game or whatever. We spend time to share the love of Christ with our friends. Then, as we combine that with prayer, they may one day ask, “Will you tell me more about Jesus?”
Are you ready? GO FOR IT!
Pastor Allen
Going door to door certainly wasn’t everyone’s thing. It was very personally challenging and often very uncomfortable. No one likes a door slammed in their face. And in the 1980’s that’s often what you got. While Evangelism Explosion was very effective in the 70’s, it was not seen as culturally friendly by the mid 80’s.
As Christians, however, we are still called to reach people for Christ. It’s not limited to those with the gift of evangelism. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus makes it real clear what the mission of the church is. “18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Our focus as a church is to gather people into the kingdom, teach and mentor these new Christians into devoted followers of Christ. We will see lives transformed. It’s an awesome and rewarding venture, but a great challenge as well. The encouraging part of that verse is that Jesus says he’ll be with us in this and that he has given us authority.
And while it may be somewhat unnerving to go one-on-one with someone about their need for Christ, we are nonetheless compelled.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
So what does this have to do with BBQing? EVERYTHING!
While you may not be comfortable with door-to-door confrontation, there is one thing you CAN and should do….. BBQ. It’s something you would do anyway.
God wants to use you to reach others in your natural settings; home, work, play, daily chores…etc. Our relationships should be intentional so that we make time to develop them. It’s not just about handing someone at work or a neighbor an invitation and thinking, “whew, I did it”.
Reaching people for Christ is all about relationships. When I think about the people that we have brought to the church and others who have given their lives to Christ, they have done so through a relationship with our family. God uses those relationships and other experiences to draw people into his kingdom.
If we are sincere about our walk with God, then we make time for people who need him. We BBQ together, go to events together, watch a hockey game or whatever. We spend time to share the love of Christ with our friends. Then, as we combine that with prayer, they may one day ask, “Will you tell me more about Jesus?”
Are you ready? GO FOR IT!
Pastor Allen
Comments
My name is Wren and I just happened upon your blog today. Very nice.
I have a family friendly discussion forum, and am trying to get discussion on various sects...or just plain old christian discussion!
http://s3.invisionfree.com/Hearts_Afire
Registration is free and the forum rules are posted at the top of the various sections.
It would be an honor to have you post there...that is if you wish to, of course.
Have a wonder filled day!