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What We Learned About Doing Christian Ministry in a Pagan Environment - Part 2

Orginally published on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 6:54 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Yesterday, Donald Miller unpacked six of the “Thirteen Paradigm Shifts” he encountered while doing Christian ministry at Reed College, which is routinely ranked by the Princeton Review as the most Godless campus in the country. Today, discover the rest in the second half of his findings...

7. Telling somebody about the gospel is about them, not us.

We were careful not to try to “build our organization” and respected people’s freedom and space. Sharing the gospel became an exercise in friendship, rather than an attempt to grow a machine. Often, people feel used if they feel they are being recruited. The gospel, we learned, is really about them, their feelings about God and truth, about sin, about life.

8. Don’t let spreading the gospel feel any different than telling somebody about a love in your life, about your children, or a great memory.

We realized that in telling somebody about Jesus, we were telling them about somebody we have come to love and need, and about something that had happened to us — an encounter. This keeps us from sounding preachy, and allows us to share part of ourselves in a friendship.

9. Include lost people in your community.

Our organization was not exclusive. We invited non-believers into the community if they wanted to be invited. We were careful not to act differently with them. They were certainly invited and enjoyed being a part of the group. We explained terms that we used and what we believed, but other than that, continued as normal.

10. Apologize for what you represent.

We discovered that many people have been offended or hurt by what they perceive Christianity to be. We allowed ourselves to stand in the place of “Christianity” and apologize whenever necessary.

11. Be authentic.

We discovered the need to be as honest about our lives as possible. We did not feel the need to sell Jesus, as much as to share what He has done in our broken lives. We had no problem sharing our doubts and fears about faith, along with our commitment and appreciation for what God had done.

12. Pray for the salvation of others.

We discovered the need to pray for others. This would ensure God was working in people’s lives, as we asked Him. We discovered the work of evangelism is something God lets us watch, but very little of it is what we manipulate. We repented of not believing evangelism was a spiritual exchange between a lost person and God, rather believing it was a series of ideas of which we were supposed to convince others.

13. Ask people if they would like to know Christ.

We decided to initiate, whenever the relationship called for it. We were not afraid to ask people if they would like to know God.

This article courtesy of CatalystMonthly.com. Join us for Catalyst next week in Atlanta! For more information, click here.

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TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 16 Comments:

Posted by

Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 10:17 AM

Apologize, for what we represent. I understand what he is saying. Worded funny. I represent Christ, and for that I have nothing to apologize for.
Posted by

Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 11:39 AM

I agree Jade, with your perceptions of #10. Maybe a better way to say it would be “apologize for what you’ve come to represent” . . . which has often been a far cry from what authentic Christianity really is. Imagine an authentic Christ follower trying to open a dialogue with someone whose family had been massacred in the name of Christ during the crusades. To that person, what Christianity represented would not have been very good.

I’m happy to see 12 and 13. The importance of prayer and initiating invitations to follow Jesus. In some emerging or post-modern circles, number 13 seems to be sort of taboo, but I don’t think it could have been in the first century (at least on the images I get from Acts and the Pauline letters).

Wendi
Posted by Leonard

Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 12:38 PM

When Millers insights are connected to the confession booth story that happened at Reed College they become fleshed out. You can read the story if you haven’t already at http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/missions/articles/101205.html
I was a missionary for 11 years, working with gangs, drug addicted families and generally pagan people and I was a pastor in a high crime, low income urban center for 8. I worked with middle and upper income people for years too and this list works across the board, not just for pagan environments. Which by the way is nearly everywhere. I think the insights are right on but they are not intended as a check list.

For years I have used a simple approach to every person I meet. I began with two internal questions; What is it like to be…? For example, what is it like to be 16 and without a dad? What is it like to be 18 and pregnant? What is it like to be a single mother of 4? What is it like to be a laborer for minimum wage? What is it like to be a cancer survivor? And so on. I learned to ask this question with every event I do, with nearly every person I meet and in most every situation I face. This gives me the empathy necessary to pray and serve others.

My second question is; What would Jesus want me to do for this person? Based upon my gifts and talents, my time and my calling what would Jesus ask of me at this moment? I cannot do the WWJD but I can certainly do the What would He want me to do? These questions, coupled with the working of the Holy Spirit, open the door for the good news about our great God in every kind of situation imaginable.

We (my staff team) found that the other tool that was effective was something we called PINCH. For more on that check out my blog.
Posted by

Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 1:36 PM

I understood the apologizing thiing to be this. Apologize for what institutional Christendom has come to represent to the average person, not for Christ and true Christianity/Christ-following… Having read all of Miller’s books, I can assure you that that is what he means.
Posted by

Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 1:45 PM

Peter,
I know that. I just said I did not like the wording. Could have been worded different.
Posted by

Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 8:30 PM

“9. Include lost people in your community.

Our organization was not exclusive. We invited non-believers into the community if they wanted to be invited. We were careful not to act differently with them. They were certainly invited and enjoyed being a part of the group. We explained terms that we used and what we believed, but other than that, continued as normal. “

We are finding this to be very true in our church. We are in an extremely post modern community (Sun Valley, ID) and breaking down the stereo-types put on Christians is huge.
We have non believers who come to our church every week and seemingly don’t respond. They take a lot longer to make a decision for Christ. They are testing everything you say and everything you are.

This last week we had two women make decisions for Christ, after sitting in church weekly for 3 years.

So for us, I think this is very true. We have had to get beyond the traditional expectation that everyone who sits in our congregation or even gets up to play a musical instrument, is a believer. Of course we don’t offer membership to a non-believer and we don’t give them any true leadership. But we include them.

Right now we have a Russian women who was a concert master pianist in Russia and China for over thirty years. She doesn’t get it yet, but she plays once in awhile and is excited about doing so. She is engaging with our congregation. And I know she’s on God’s “short list”!

Many churches wouldn’t allow this and I think they lose a ministry opportunity.

I think the comparison to being a missionary is huge. We were in Filipino ministries for a number of years, and I often feel the same… trying to connect with a different culture, communicate in a relevant way, and break down barriers.

This has been an interesting article. Thanks!
Posted by

Tuesday, October 03, 2006 at 10:27 PM

Good points… I like numbers 7 and 11. I’ve been involved with Southern Baptist Churches, and in some of them - not all - but in some of them it seems like a recruitment camp. The emphasis in some of those circles is to WIN SOULS - they don’t care to get to know people, they just want their soul for Christ. We recently moved and the SBC pastor came to visit us after we visited his church, and it wasn’t 5 minutes before we were getting hit with the gospel presentation questions. I didn’t mind being asked - I expected it - but at least show that you are interested in us as *people* first - not just another notch on your spiritual recruitment stick. That turns people off immediately.

Number 11 is good in that if you are not authenitc, people will see right through you. They watch us, they judge us. If we live one way on Sunday and another way the rest of the week, our witnessing is worthless and turns them off. People don’t see authentic Christianity anymore, and that’s one of the reasons for #10. We need to apologize for the people who’ve let them down.

I’d like to add one more thing to that list that I think is important. “Plant Seeds - Give it time to sink in.” Realize that you will not convince anyone of anything on the first attempt. Many of us have been taught that we need to present the Gospel, and then press the person for a decision. We’ve been taught to not let the opportunity get away. We want to “win” the debate…

If someone is quite set in their beliefs, it is most likely that it will take many conversations about the same subject before scriptural principles begin to take root. People are usually unwilling to change their convictions - no matter how rational and logical of an “argument” we present. That’s because no one likes to openly admit they are wrong, especially in a situation like the ones being described. When I learned to begin planting seeds, and watering seeds, instead of always trying to “win” the conversation or debate - I began to see alot more hearts soften toward Christ.
Posted by

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 3:37 AM

Ingrid just posted John 17 that clearly says that ONLY those that the Father gave Him (from the begining of the world) would be saved. This proves that God actually created MOST people to be tormented forever in hell. HE WOULD’NT EVEN SAY A PRAYER FOR THEM !!! If people do not understand this they have been “given a strong delusion” and they will burn in hell with the rest of the people that wanted a “NICE” God. If people (jew or not) don’t recieve true doctrine, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them. They are at that point...OUR ENEMY. We have to make war with this anti-christ spirit. we are at war and everybody wants to coddle the enemies of God except Jesus and the Apostles !!! We have to be in one accord with the saints in heaven. What are THEY saying ?? REV 6:9-11 tells us that these saints are begging ("crying with a loud voice") for Christ to slaughter ("avenge blood") of their enemys. Did He rebuke them??? NO… HE GAVE THEM WHITE ROBES /
Posted by Brian

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 10:24 AM

Dalton,

Is your God purely one of hate and vengeance, of justice with no mercy?

Jesus reached out to his enemies (US) by coming to earth so we could find redemption that we don’t deserve.

1 John says that love is not shown in our loving God, but that HE loved US and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

I’m so grateful that the janitor in my high school didn’t just hand me over to hell the first time I rejected his words. He kept talking graciously and praying for me, and what a joy it was to call him up one night to tell him I had trusted Christ!

There is absolutely no question that there is a terrible judgment for those who reject Christ. But our hearts should be breaking, not rejoicing. And that heartache should drive us to do all we can to reach as many as we can with the Gospel.

I’ll trust the Holy Spirit to decide who will respond and who won’t.

Brian
Posted by Brian

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 10:47 AM

I might also point out that in Isaiah 40 we find BOTH a God of judgment (which He most surely is) and a “nice” God. See below:

10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and his arm rules for him.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

Brian
Posted by

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 12:30 PM

There are toooo many people that speak of Gods LOVE without the rest of the truth. I’m just taking up the slack so i cant try to teach the other side of “the whole counsel of God” that these dropshots are too scared to speak of because thaey will loose thier jobs. Who want a wimp for a god anyway. Thats what we have turned Christ into. He’s here to make us FEEEEL good,.. right ???
Posted by

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 1:04 PM

Dalton,

I understand where you’re coming from. However, you are a bit new around here, so it might be premature for you to make assumptions about how many of us preach a “Disney"-Jesus… I don’t.
Posted by Brian

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 1:06 PM

Dalton,

I understand your concern, I really do. We must discuss the judgment if salvation is to make any sense.

But it seems to me (based only on your postings), that you are taking the other extreme, if you will. You see others as focusing only on the “feel-good” stuff, but you are focusing only on the “wrath of God” stuff.

God does want us to have a full and abundant life, by the way - at least according to Jesus. It is for those who follow Christ. But couldn’t part of that full and abundant life include truckloads of peace, comfort, and joy? You seem to preclude any possibility of that for those would take up the cross and follow Him.

I’m grateful for a God who invites us to call on Him for peace and comfort, and that He wants us to experience the JOY of our salvation, not simply our overwhelming relief that through Christ we have escaped the judgment.

And lastly, love is not just one of God’s attributes - it’s who He IS!

1 John 4:7-12 -

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

So while I don’t feel you should throw out your convictions regarding the judgment of God, I think it would be good for you to be reminded of the fact that God’s love was one of the motivations for saving people, including you and me!

Brian
Posted by Todd Rhoades

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 2:04 PM

Hey Dalton,

You need to take a break. This is NOT the place for this discussion; and, quite frankly, you’re in the wrong forum. MMI is dedicated to ‘innovative ministry’ discussion.

Next, you’ve wrongly accused me three times now of deleting your posts. I have not done so. The quickest way to get kicked off the website is the tick off the owner; and to post things that are disrespectful of others. You, my friend, have done both.

Please refrain from posting here at MMI until you can at least be a little more civilized. Unfortunately, from what I’ve seen thus far, I fear that is not possible.

Todd
Website editor/owner
Posted by

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 5:04 PM

Hi Brian,
Good to hear from you. The Jesus that is preached in america is not worth dying for. We are supposed to be able to die for this God if He finds me worthy . I want to be a martyr if He will give me that gift (and guts).
You said something that seems to make sense. You said; “ but couldn’t part of that full and abundant life include truckloads of peace, comfort, and joy?” In many ways I don’t want peace, comfort, and joy because i will never know that i’m being persecuted. The Desciples jumped for joy at being hurt. I don’t want to be like Billy Graham… he has never even had an egg thrown at his limo. How can someone preach a true Gospel and never loose a bead of sweat from persecution. Christ said that we WILL be perscuted if we follow Him in truth. My goal is to try make sure i’m Elect and to teach my children the Bible. I’ve been threw a lot in this 43 years. 7 years prison, family death, and every drug that was made, and it was through those hard times that begged for mercy, i mean groaning and begging for forgiveness. When i got out of prison, and after years of study God moved me to NYC to work as a minister teaching other pastors at a place called New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM). Then from there I went to work at Evangel Christian School as an assistant principle of a Highschool. I did not get asked back bacause i would’nt lead a group for the Billy Graham Crusade. I said that to say this: with all of the enfeminate christianity going on, I cant give pastors and church members the benefit of the doubt anymore. I have to first asume they are unlearned, and worldly. This isn’t like throwing an interception on the five yardline, people actually go to hell from false and unlearned teachers. In other words, dont tell me your a pastor and you use Gods money to pay Allstate (godless corporation) for life insurance for something that MIGHT happen. Out of hundreds of pastors I only found three that I can remember that did’nt have it. If that isn’t the opposite of faith, i dont know what is !!! That’s just one example out of many.
Thanks for listening man. I hope you have to put up with me in Heaven forever ......
God bless /
Posted by Brian

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 5:52 PM

Dalton,

I truly hope I DO have to “put up” with you in heaven.

A couple of things, and then I will ask that we continue the discussion privately, since we are hijacking the thread.

First, the Jesus that is preached in America in SOME churches is definitely not worth dying for. But it is a huge reach to assume that the churches represented by the members of this forum are guilty of what you are saying.

Second, persecution is hardly a sign of someone’s election. We in America have no real clue about persecution. We might get ridicule and scorn (as probably everyone on this forum has encountered in one form or another), but no one here is going to prison or being executed for being a follower or Jesus (yet - but I think the time is coming). My fear in your comments is that you will begin to SEEK persecution, and there is nothing in scripture to support that idea. Your desire to be a martyr scares me, to be perfectly honest. Are you willing to sacrifice the well-being of your family? What if THEY aren’t “called” to be martyrs? What if it turns out YOU aren’t called to be a martyr? If you are called, it will seek you out - you won’t have to go looking for it.

We also need to remember that the EXAMPLE of the apostles’ persecution is not a TEACHING that all “real” followers of Jesus will face the same kind of persecution. You are right that Jesus said we would be persecuted, but He does not spell out the specifics other than the possibilities of imprisonment and/or death.

Maybe a better question may be, “How do you define persecution?” Is it only physical harm or death? Could it not be scorn or ridicule, or even just a snide comment from someone who disagrees about Jesus?

I’m also willing to “bet” that Billy Graham has faced more persecution behind the scenes than you and I will ever be aware of. And I will allow God to judge him as a follower of Jesus.

Third, life insurance is hardly “the opposite of faith” as you assert (and not sure how that fits in the conversation). It is simply good stewardship so my family will be provided for in the case of my passing. The scriptures are clear that believers have a responsibility from God to provide for our families. If you can find scriptural support for pastors throwing out their insurance, I’m willing to listen. The problem is that there is no such support. But the case for provision for your family is in both testaments.

If you don’t believe in life insurance (or any insurance at all), then do you also feel that working for a living is wrong? Why not simply quit work and “trust God” to supply our needs? Do you have insurance for your car, which is required by law in every state?

Brother, you have been through a lot in your life, and I wouldn’t switch my life for yours for any amount of money. I’m grateful that His grace has allowed you to come to Christ. But you don’t have to prove you are elect. If you have placed your trust in Christ, that is only because God’s Spirit has enabled you to receive that grace. You are part of the elect (and I’m not even a Calvinist!) because of your trust in Christ, not because of persecution.

And I pray that you will allow yourself to bask in the grace and goodness of God. If you don’t, you run the risk of showing your children that God is only interested in your harm (through persecution and hardship) and not in your good!

Blessings on you, brother!

Brian

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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.