21st Century Wineskins Seminar is Ready to Launch!

3 12 2010

For the last few months I’ve been preparing a seminar based on  the ideas I’ve shared on this blog. I believe God has called me to help others learn to share their faith in Jesus in a way that is natural, relational, and founded in Authentic Christian Community. Here’s a synopsis of what the seminar is about.

New Times Require New Methods

Much of what the church teaches about the “how-to” of sharing our faith focuses on presenting a certain set of propositions (e.g. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life), trying to convince someone to believe those propositions and say a prayer of assent when you get to the end of the booklet. Those tools have their place, and had a degree of success in helping people share their faith. However, the world has changed in the 40+ years since the creation of the most commonly used gospel presentations. Basic assumptions of the nature of truth are different, people are not merely looking for a spiritual belief system to ascribe to, and Christianity is not the default choice for the spiritually curious anymore.

The 21st Century Wineskins Seminar addresses how the church can more effectively communicate the gospel to a skeptical and increasingly post Christian culture.

Module 1: Perception is Reality

Examines the findings of the book UnChristian about how those outside the church perceive us and my own research regarding Christians’ perceptions of non-believers. We take a look at the perceptions, examine how they create obstacles to both receiving and sharing the gospel, and look at ways we have contributed to the problem and how to change for the better.

Module 2: Creating Authentic Christian Community

Looks at some of the characteristics of the early church such as the “Four Devotions” (Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer) and the things these devotions produce (togetherness, generosity, praise, witness, and fruit). This module also suggests ways to help create that type of Authentic Christian Community and shows how it is the context within which effective outreach takes place and is the element that will keep people committed to Christ for the long haul.

Module 3: Building Bridges Strong Enough to Bear the Weight of Truth

Most Christians want to share the gospel, but never feel quite up to the task. This workshop focuses on how to build relational bridges to those with whom you want to share the gospel. Using the metaphor of building a bridge we look at Laying the Foundation (Prayer), Building the Superstructure (Four Key Elements – Observation, Time, Attitudes, & Communication), and Completing the Connection (Establishing Trust & Speaking God’s Truth).

Module 4: Re-Thinking Evangelism

What is the first thing that pops into your head when you think of evangelism? That’s scary? I’m gonna be rejected? Not my spiritual gift? This seminar looks at how most Christians think of evangelism, gives an explanation of Relational Evangelism, and challenges you to rethink how evangelism could be done and will help you begin to share your faith in new and natural ways.

These are some of the things you will learn in this seminar

  • Building strong relational bridges based on trust and mutual respect will allow you to lovingly speak God’s truth into a person’s life without damaging the friendship.
  • Relational evangelism begins by seeing people as Jesus does, spending time with them, having Christ-like attitudes, and learning to communicate so people understand.
  • In the context of Authentic Christian Community everyday Christians experience the power of God and bear fruit for the kingdom.

For more information about how Relational Life Ministries
can help equip you or your church for effective outreach contact:
Chris Hardy
phone: 734-646-3227
email: rlm@provide.net


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Categories : Brotherly Love, Fellowship, Friendship, Great Commission, Imitating Christ, Jesus' Model of Outreach, Marks of a True Church, Neighborhood Churches, Outreach, Perception of Christians, Prayer, Relational Bridges, Rethinking Church, Sharing your Faith, Spirituality

Amistad es El Puente

25 10 2010

Long ago we lived in Costa Rica for about eighteen months. Two of the first people we met were Tanya and Eduardo – our neighbors that lived across the street. Shortly after we arrived, it may have even been the first time we saw them, we noticed Tanya and Eduardo carrying a newborn baby into their home.

We were encouraged by our teachers to practice speaking Spanish with the Costa Ricans as much as possible. Julia wanted to be a good neighbor so she took a small baby gift over to Tanya to introduce herself and meet their first-born, a little girl named Navil. It was a small beginning to a great friendship. This gesture opened up a relationship that lasted beyond our time in Costa Rica. We had friendships with other Ticos (a nickname for Costa Ricans), but none as special as Tanya and Eduardo. The stories I can tell you are far too numerous for this post, but let me share one with you.

We arrived in Costa Rica in September and had begun to learn Spanish, but were still very, very far from fluent. Tanya and Eduardo helped us practice almost every day as we met for dinner or to watch TV together. In October, to celebrate Costa Rica’s Independence Day, the area of town we lived in held a festival (kind of like a state fair). There were rides, games, food, a bull-fight, and booths where you could try to win trinkets. Tanya and Eduardo invited us to attend the festival with them and we accepted.

We spent about 4-5 hours together walking around eating, shooting underpowered BB guns at targets trying to win peluches (stuffed animals) for our kids, watching drunken men run away from the bull at the “bull-fight”, and generally having a wonderful experience. We hardly said ten words the entire afternoon.

When we got home Eduardo asked me if I had enjoyed myself.

“I had a great time, Eduardo. I just wish we could have talked more,” I replied.

Eduardo got this pensive look on his face (I can still see it as if it were last week) and said one of the nicest things anyone ever said to me.

“El idioma es un abismo entre nosotros, pero el amistad es el puente.”

“Language is a chasm between us, but friendship is the bridge.”

What does this story have to do with sharing your faith? Simply this: there are all kinds of chasms between you and those with whom you wish to share the good news of Jesus’s love; it may be suspicion of your motives, having been hurt by Christians or the church in the past, sensing no need for a savior, not understanding a word we say (being “washed clean in the blood of the Lamb” just doesn’t sound very appealing), or any number of other things.

Friendship is the bridge that spans the chasms between you and others. Friendship with no strings attached. Friendship that says:

▸ I am your friend even if you are suspicious.

▸ I am your friend and will do my best to never hurt you in the name of Jesus.

▸ I am your friend even if you don’t believe the way I do.

▸ I am your friend and will try to tell you what I believe so you can understand.

▸ I am your friend and will love you no matter what you do because that’s what Jesus did.

The gospels called Jesus a “friend of sinners” (Matthew 11:19 & Luke 7:34). Nicodemus (John 3), the woman at the well (John 4), the rich young man (Luke 18), and Zachaeus (Luke 19) were some of the people Jesus befriended. Not all of them chose to follow Him, but He loved them anyway. He taught His closest friends how to become disciples. Jesus is our model. He showed us that His way of sharing the message of God’s love and grace was in the context of relationship. If we are to be imitators of Christ,let’s span the chasms that separate us from the people God brings into our lives with bridges of friendship so they can have the chance to experience God’s grace in their lives.


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Categories : Brotherly Love, Fellowship, Imitating Christ, Jesus' Model of Outreach, Outreach, Relational Bridges, Sharing your Faith

Belief or Lifestyle?

8 10 2010

Tevin was a friend from Taiwan that I met with weekly for almost two years. One day we were talking about what it means to be a Christian and he asked a very good question.

“Is Christianity a belief or a lifestyle?”

I paused for a moment gathering my thoughts and replied that Christianity is both.

“Christianity is a belief system that should impact your lifestyle,” I replied.

It is not belief or lifestyle, but belief and lifestyle. Jesus said, “Everyone then who hears these words (belief) of mine and does (lifestyle) them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24) Italics mine.

I gave him an example to illustrate my answer.

“The bible says, ‘Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.’ (Philippians 4:8) If, before you become a Christian you like gory, slasher movies, which are not pure or lovely or commendable, you should stop watching them after you become a Christian. What you believe should influence what you do.”

Tevin thought for a moment and said, “There are not many Christians in Taiwan, so when someone says they are a Christian we watch them very carefully. Many of the people say they believe in Jesus, but still watch the slasher movies. That’s what made me wonder if Christianity is a belief of lifestyle. If I ever become a Christian I do not want to be one that only believes.”

People are watching our lives as well. They want to see if we merely believe in Jesus or if we imitate him as well. Does our faith impact how we live. If it doesn’t, why should we expect people to believe in Jesus?

Belief or lifestyle. As you introduce people to Jesus is it so they will believe in Jesus? Or are you inviting them to follow Him? It must be both. Jesus asked people to believe in him (John 14:1), and He called people to follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Like Tevin, those searching for spiritual answers today want something more tangible than intellectual ascent to a creed. This is what Jesus offers – a belief that transforms the way we live. Let’s be James 2 Christians that demonstrate our faith by what we do. As we allow our beliefs to shape our behavior we will show that following Christ is both a belief and a lifestyle.


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Categories : Brotherly Love, Faith and Works, Great Commission, Jesus' Model of Outreach, Outreach, Perception of Christians, Questions, Relational Bridges, Spirituality

Thought Provoking Articles

27 09 2010

Here are two articles I read today that I thought would interest you as well.

The Retail Church by Chris Thron looks at some of the unintended consequences of not having neighborhood churches.

The Psychology of Worship and Church Growth by David Virtue examines some of the key elements that make a church a vibrant faith community, and what happens when they are absent.

I hope you enjoy these articles as much as I did. A special thanks to my father-in-law for sending me the link to David Virtue’s commentary.


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Categories : Brotherly Love, Church Attendance, Fellowship, Marks of a True Church, Neighborhood Churches, Spirituality

Some Questions

25 09 2010

A while back Julia and a friend were talking about church and our friend said when she feels burned out she goes to the “Hypothetical Church” where people really know and care for each other, bear one another’s burdens, and help each other with the daily struggles of walking with God. As you know, I’ve been thinking a lot about the way Americans do church. Here are some questions that have been rattling around in my brain for the last few months.

▸ Why is it that week after week millions of us meet, sing some songs, listen to a sermon, have a cup of coffee, talk about things that don’t really matter, and go home unchanged?

▸ Why do we spend so much time on programs within the church that we have no time or energy to minister to people outside the church? (I read recently that 51% of Americans say they don’t know an evangelical Christian).

▸ Why are we satisfied to call a pot luck dinner and small talk fellowship?

▸ Why are we so afraid to let those we call our brothers and sisters know our short comings, our fears, ours sins?

▸ Why are so many of our kids dropping out of church, or worse, leaving their faith behind altogether?

▸ Why do so many Christians feel that they are doing well in their relationship with God because the regularly attend church services?

▸ Why do we spend so much money on buildings, retreats, concerts, computers, lights, choir robes, and coffee when there is so much real need in the world that is going unmet?

▸ Why is God so powerful and His church so (seemingly) impotent?

▸ How am I part of the problem?

▸ How is God calling me to be part of the solution?

Like Todd Agnew says, “I’ve got better questions than I have answers.” Let’s seek the Lord together to get His answers.


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Categories : Brotherly Love, Church and Money, Church Attendance, Churchless Christians, Fellowship, Generation Gone, Outreach, Questions, Rethinking Church, Spirituality

The Year of Living Without Church

7 09 2010

About a year-and-a half ago our family stopped going to church. We have attended sporadically during that time, but have not been part of congregation since April 2009. I’d like to share my Top Ten Insights from The Year Without Church.

10. I was able to step back from the busyness of being an elder, a member of the pastoral search committee, occasional preaching, and trying to start a small group for men, among other things. Becoming an outsider gave me something I lacked while we were regular churchgoers – time. I now had time to think. Why was I doing all these things? Is this really what God wants me to do? Were my motives for service always godly?

9. A lot of church activities and programs I was involved in were busy work. For example, I spent way too much time in elder meetings and not nearly enough time doing the job of caring for the congregation.

8. Much of what I did in the name of fellowship (at least on Sunday morning) was simply small talk over coffee and high carb snacks. Rarely did I ask people what God was teaching them or if they had any burdens I could help them carry. I mostly talked about work, kids, weather, sports, and other “safe” topics. I didn’t share a common life with my brothers and sisters centered on our relationship to Christ, and even more rarely did I work together with them for a common goal which brought glory to God.

7. When I first quit going to church I thought I had all the answers to the church’s problems, now I know I don’t. I believe the Lord has given me good insights into ways the church could make positive changes to more effectively reach a skeptical culture, but He has also shown me He’s the church’s savior and I’m not.

6. There are a lot of people who have been hurt in some way by the church. They do not want to be churchless Christians, but have found being part of a church makes it harder for them to follow Christ rather than easier.

5. I visited several churches during The Year Without Church and found most of them sorely lacking in friendliness to new people. At many of the churches I visited not one person spoke to me either before or after the service, even if I visited more than once. It is all too common to be ignored when you are a new visitor.

4. When I attended church regularly I was so busy maintaining church programs or was sufficiently satisfied with the status quo to realize there might be different and better ways to do things.

3. I deeply miss being with other Christians and sharing Authentic Christian Community, but I do not miss attending church services. When did church become a spectator sport?

2. The Church, when operating in the power of the Holy Spirit and according to scriptural guidelines, has the potential to be the most powerful force for God the world has ever seen. When it does not operate this way, the Church is merely a semi-sacred country club designed to benefit its members.

1. Just like it was not good for Adam to be alone in the Garden, it is not good for me to be alone in my Christian journey. I desperately need to be a part of a vital faith community that is devoted to Jesus and to each other; a group of people who are committed to bear each other’s burdens, love each other, forgive and put up with one another, encourage, not judge each other, work together to more fully reflect the love of Christ both within the church and to a world in need of God’s mercy and grace.

Is there a church like that? If so, please pray we will find it, and soon.


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Categories : Brotherly Love, Church Attendance, Churchless Christians, Fellowship, Generation Gone, Rethinking Church, Uncategorized

Rip Current

26 08 2010

Our family recently went on vacation. One day we met extended family at the beach to swim in Lake Michigan. When we arrived the others had been there for a while. They immediately warned us of the strong rip current in the lake. Lake Michigan is not always a tame lake and has claimed nearly 20 victims this summer alone.

We entered the water with a combination of excitement and caution. Despite the warning, I wasn’t prepared for the ferocity of the rip current as the waves rushed back to open water. We enjoyed to waves, but warned everyone near us of the danger.

After one exciting trip on a powerful wave I noticed a young boy in the waves between sand bars. The look on his face said he wasn’t having fun anymore. He was scared, clinging to his wave board for dear life. If a wave separated him from that board he wouldn’t be able to stay above water. He was too far out for me to get to him quickly. I thought another man about fifteen feet from the boy would offer to help, but he seemed oblivious to the peril the boy was in. The man watched him drift away and caught the next wave. The current carried the boy farther out and toward my nephew who promptly went to see if he was alright. My brother-in-law also swam out to help. Nathanael and I grabbed hands forming a human chain.

“Hold on tight!” I shouted grabbing the wave board and pulling the boy toward me. Joel and I each held of one his arms and walked him toward shore.

“I can make it frooglug glug here,” he said just as another wave submerged him.

About thirty feet from shore, in safe, shallow water a woman looked at us with a puzzled expression on her face.

“What happened?” she asked.

“He got caught in the rip current and was dragged out into the lake. He needed help getting back. I think he needs to rest on shore for a while,” I replied.

She took him back to the beach and we went back out to enjoy more abuse from Lake Michigan’s pounding surf.

Life can be a lot like that afternoon at Lake Michigan. As I pondered the event I began to see parallels to what happens in a church community.

▸ The boy didn’t set out to drown that day. He just wanted to have fun. The strength of the rip current overwhelmed him and he was soon fighting for his life. None of us intends to get into tough situations, but life has a way of overtaking us when we least expect it.

▸ Most of the people at the beach that day were wrapped up in their own little world and seemingly unaware of the surrounding danger. The man closest to the struggling boy paid no attention to him, even the boy’s mother had no idea he was out so far. We often go through life enjoying the good things it brings our way while others around us are hanging on, white knuckled, to their wave board too tired from the struggle to even call for help.

▸ The boy wanted to rely on his own ability to battle the current when it was clear he was losing the fight. How often, when faced with similar situations, do we fail to acknowledge our need for help?

The incident also provided a great picture of how Christians should act when practicing the principles of Authentic Christian Community. A key principle is found in Philippians 2:4 – Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

▸ Realizing how quickly someone could be carried beyond reach made us vigilant. We looked out for our family and anyone else might be in trouble. Where else, if not the church, should we open our eyes and see those struggling around us? By following Christ’s example of putting the interests of others above His own, we will be aware of the dangers we all face.

▸ The boy didn’t think he needed help, but we could see he did. Sometimes it takes an objective view to help us see we are in trouble. When Christians put the principles of Authentic Christian Community into practice we will be on the look out for the struggles in our friends’ lives, even if they think they’re doing fine.

▸ We had to stop our fun to help someone being overcome by the waves. As Christ-followers we should always be willing to be interrupted and inconvenienced for the sake of someone not strong enough to make it on their own.

▸ Even though the boy repeatedly told us he could make it on his own, my brother-in-law and I walked him back to the safety of shore and his mother. A church community should never look for the least it can do to help. Christians should be committed enough to each other to not let go until the crisis is over.

This is the call of Authentic Christian Community. Live your life not with the me-first mentality our culture embraces, but by looking out for each other’s interests as well. Then we will rescue those caught in life’s rip currents and demonstrate the power of Christ’s example.

Father,
Open our eyes to others’ needs. Move us to come alongside. Help us to never let one of our struggling brothers or sisters drown. Use us to bring them safely to shore.
Amen.


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