What does evangelism look like in the 21st Century? What does church planting look like in the 21st Century? Scott and I have been discussing those questions lately, especially after the lecture series given by Eddie Gibbs. The first picture is of Scott, Eddie and I. The second picture is of Callie and Harley at the dog park.
We can no longer use the church to attract people into coming. No matter how many programs, how many resources, how cool our presentation, how good our music-- it won't happen-- not anymore. In Acts, Paul would begin in the Synagogues, and when no one would listen, he would move out into the community. He went where there were people! If we were fishers of fish we'd go to a lake; as fishers of men we need to go where they are. Scott and I have discovered an untapped resource-- the dog park. More and more dog parks are being built in communities. And what we've found at the dog park has been people that work all week, might or might not have kids, and most don't appear to have had any previous church experience. It's a gold mine! Everyone is friendly; everyone has a commonality; everyone takes care of each others dogs; everyone laughs when Callie plants a big, wet one on their lips. There's a bond when you're their-- you're among friends.
What a place to invite Christ to be a part of. With ease, he can enter and become part of this world. As the little children came to him and the parents followed, so should the puppies come and their owners will follow. You might be laughing, but truly-- think about it.
Evangelism isn't walking up to strangers and telling them immediately about Jesus- Repent or Burn. Evangelism is sharing your Christ-light with the world. You remember the song-- this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine... hide it under a bush OH NO! I'm gonna let it shine. To long have we hidden our light.
The repent or burn style of evangelism doesn't work in this place and in this time, and if I were an unbeliever it wouldn't work for me. It's shining your Christ-light into someone's eyes until they can't stand it anylonger. Our Christ-light should be a continuous glow, emminating from us. It should be like a star, something you could stare at for hours, something that makes you think of your finiteness and the infiniteness above. The Christ-light is not a brash, neon sign, or a pulsing strobe light that makes you sick, but it is a warm, beckoning glow that welcomes you home. That my friends is evangelism. Share your Christ-light where you are; all you're doing is being yourself. Don't be afraid to stand in your convictions or lift up the name of Christ. Most people are screaming for structure or an anchor they can hold in this chaotic world. Don't push, just love-- love as Christ loved at work, at home, at play. Love, care, connect.
I loved the illustration in Ray Bradbury's Farenheit 451 about the houses without porches. No one spoke to anyone; no one knew their neighbors. The house I grew up in didn't have a porch. Get to know your neighbors. Go to the community pub. Put yourself where the people are so that they might see your Christ-Light and ask you why you glow.
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