when methods fail pt. 2 (forced into the waters!)
Seems I wrote yesterdays post, when methods fail, a few hours too early. The following story could fit perfectly under many of the 10 reasons methods may fail, but definitely fits under "stupid methods (will fail)". Last night as we were hanging out with about 20 unbelieving students playing futsal and having a big cook-out, my staff partner from over at KKU shared some tragic and great news. We were standing on the sidelines watching two teams playing and Moe started telling me about a student (we'll call him Fred) who gave his life to Jesus earlier that day. Here is the story in bullet points.
- Fred becomes a freshmen at Khon Kaen University and starts hanging out with some guys from Campus Outreach
- During his freshman or sophomore year it appeared to our staff that he was on the brink of following Jesus.
- At this point, another "Christian" organization began talking with him. For clarity, we are encouraged by multiple influence. We are not in business of potential sheep stealing or trying to keep folks strictly with us. We just want to be purposeful and helpful.
- A dude from this other group decided to take Fred down to the river and force him to be baptized and "pray". Fred refused knowing that this was not right and was going against his conscience.
- Fred became distant from us and Christians and was "turned off" from Christianity. You think?
- 8 weeks ago Fred, in his senior year, started coming back around and playing futsal with us.
- He was told he was missed and that we were broken over the fact that it's his senior year and there was not much time to hang.
- Moe began hanging with him and pouring into his life and sharing Jesus.
- Nai, one of our Thai staff guys, met with him for lunch yesterday and and Fred gave his life to Jesus.
- Fred will take his final university test Monday and will graduate.
- I met Fred last night and loved seeing his calmness and smile.
I would like to think about a couple of things here.
1. What in the world are people thinking is going to happen by forcing people to be baptized and say a prayer?!!?
If you have ever been in Thailand you know that the Thai people are extremely friendly. They will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and respected. Many will even "pray a prayer" with you just to make you happy while knowing all along they do not believe. I think some people take advantage of this and haphazardly and unlovingly "bring many to Jesus". Is this a result of:
a. bad theology
b. bad methods
c. wrong motives
d. ignorance
I would like to comment on each point but I can't today. What I do know is that I don't like it.
2. The power of the gospel and the workings of the Holy Spirit.
a. Even in the midst of bad theology, methods, and motives if the gospel is shared their is hope.
b. There is something to this that should make the careless "evangelist" wake up and the overly cultural sensitive evangelist relax a little bit and trust in the Holy Spirit and gospel more. Fred was wronged, hurt, and confused, but Jesus prevailed and Fred is a Christ follower now.
c. This does not remove the need to have methods, but I do think God is showing us how awesome he is.
d. Good A+B=C methods are not supreme. But bad M+E=me methods are stupid.
3. We should share the gospel lovingly and liberally using methods that honor the culture and hold the gospel supreme. We should not be stupid and unloving in our methods just to produce false numbers. I would rather a group sin by lying about their numbers of converts than actually bring real people into their schemes.
4. I praise God for our KKU team. Fred was being stirred by the Holy Spirit and went to where he had received real love!
a. Always show love
b. Always be honest
c. Always share Christ
d. Always be hopeful
e. Always pray
f. Always be driven by truth
g. Always depend on the Holy Spirit
h. Always be purposeful
i. Always welcome people back
j. Always rejoice
k. Always honor God and people
May I see when I am being stupid and be sorry for it. God show us your ways! We desire a true awakening here, a real movement of Jesus lovers who find there hearts resting in you as they labor and toil with all YOUR strength! Be glorified in our methods.
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when methods fail
In thinking through my own methods of sharing the gospel I find that my ministry of evangelism would not be defined, for the most part, according to 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5.
"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."
In other words, my evangelistic zeal has mainly been over the awesome facts of the message of the gospel, the doctrines of grace and what Jesus has accomplished by his life, death and resurrection. And yes, the power is in the gospel so what's the problem Marc? Is it that you want to become one who "always shares the gospel and when necessary speaks?" No way, I think that is a whack, silly, and an unbiblical cop-out for those of us that would say evangelism is not our gift. We are to always love people in actions and words when it comes to sharing the gospel. My issue isn't even over faithfulness and fruitfulness, we are to be faithful and desire fruit in evangelism. I am not even trying to compare fruit, I know I am not a Mason Leaf or Billy Graham. However, I do strive to share the good news of Jesus and have seen people come to Christ since I began seeing the need to share the gospel in late 1980's as a break-dancing teen with a sheet of cardboard who would steal his sisters red parachute paints and high-top converse shoes to become "all things to all men" or to just fit in, not sure.
The issue with myself today comes when I begin characterizing my preaching or sharing the good news. Do I put more emphasis on my methods and words or on the Gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit? I would not say that my life of evangelism has mainly or consistently been characterized by "POWER or miraculous POWER" or the "manifestations of the Spirit's approving presence" with "transparent sincerity and integrity and certainty in the hearers' minds". (esv study bible notes)
Although I don't like boxes, I do like methods, I like plans, I like strategy and I like leading others into battle with swords ready to breakdown strongholds with the gospel watching people run out in freedom. But I can control my methods, I can't control the Holy Spirit.
Simple solution: Have methods and let the overriding glue of it be dependence on prayer, the Word of God, the life and works of Christ, the sovereignty and love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. What kind of man will I prove to be? One who shares the gospel relying on a tidy method (however simple or complex) or one who shares the gospel unleashed?
Hard solution: De and reprogramming. Keeping treasures and throwing out trash, even if it doesn't seem to stink too bad.
Here are some of my thoughts this morning about methods and how they can fail.
Methods in evangelism have the potential to fail when:
1. They are supreme.
- Contextualization will always be something we have to do and we have to fight. There really are some things that we need to avoid doing and saying in order to reach the "all men" of the cultures we live in.
- Culture is constantly changing, methods are in constant need of change.
- The good news is supreme because Jesus is supreme.
- Yesterdays method could be today's stumbling block.
2. They are not evaluated.
- We must constantly review, compare, and align our message with The Message.
- We must not push the gospel through our methods but evaluate our methods through the gospel.
4. They are overly exclusive.
- Does my method exclude most people around me from hearing the gospel?
5. They fit neatly into a ministry toolbox.
- Is my message like a tool that lays down nicely with true and good weight in my toolbox or is it more like a lion that does not want to be caged or tamed?
6. They are practiced in pride and without love.
- What motivates the sharing of the gospel? Is it the love of God and my love for God and people?
- Do we just want great things to report to people through the pulpit, newsletters, facebook and tweets?
- Do we care more about our spiritual empire and our boarders being increased than we do about the integrity of the gospel and the work of the Spirit?
7. They seemingly get the job done without power and without the Holy Spirit.
- Many congregations all over the world could be characterized by moral people who are not "fully convicted".
- Can I work my plan and ministry without prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit?
8. They boast of fitting every believer.
- We are all different and unique within different and unique circles of influence. Therefore, methods should have much common ground, but also must be adaptable to each believer in a way that is biblical and loving.
- Even now, I just received a call from a stranger dude trying to sale me a hotel/dining membership that is really a good deal. Thanks to one of my friends here in Thailand I got the call. Thing is, I just don't like sales calls, even if it is beneficial. There are different ways I get convinced of good deals...like friends, articles, ads, consumer reports etc. I am sure the nice guy hung up and kept going because he knows that method is good for him to use and some people "take to it". I am in no way trying to make the gospel into a good deal, just comparing methods that fit with some people and don't with others.
9. They are stupid. (will fail)
- Sorry, but some methods are just plain stupid. I recall reading about one man's method of "swaying people" to believe. He said you should share the gospel and then place your hands on their shoulder as you look right into their eyes(this makes them focus and gives you some control). Next, tell them that they need to give their lives to Jesus Christ their Lord and Saviour and tell them to pray after you right now. At this point he would probably say you should drop your head and fervently and boldly pray in a slightly deeper or wispy voice, depending on the person. I am sure he even would tell you to squeeze their shoulder if they pause when it is there turn to pray the mantra.
10. Do not contain the gospel. (will fail)
- Many methods can have the intent of evangelism but lack the gospel in the end.
- There will not be evangelism with power if the gospel is diminished, taken out, or distorted.
May God help me to share his saving message in dependence on him and with power! May he be praised for even working in and through me when I trust in methods more than him.
Still processing all of this. What do you think?
soccer, coke in a bag, and purpose
Today was another great day on the campus meeting new guys in the cafeteria, on the basketball court, and during the evening sports time. I want to focus solely on an event that doesn't come around often. Slade, one of my students from Salem where I was a youth pastor, is living with my family this summer and helping me on the campus. Tonight, we were with some of our team-mates playing soccer up on the roof of a parking deck when I noticed that I didn't see Slade. I wasn't worried, I just wanted to see where he was. My team had been playing and during that time Slade went down to play soccer on the large field where there were more students. When my team lost I went down to play also. While I was waiting to see what team I could get on to play the next round, I saw a good opportunity to play ta-kraw with some of the guys. It was getting dark so all the games were coming to an end. I went over to where Slade was to talk with him and the soccer players. OK, here is where the excitement begins. One guy named Lam told me to tell Slade that two other guys want to race him in a 100 meter race. I laughed, told Slade, and the race was on. They flew across the field and everyone was cheering. After the race, they did what we always want to see happen. They invited us to do something. Normally we are always inviting students to do things. They invited us to come sit with them in front of the 7-11 and drink coke with them. We met them there and shared two large cokes with them that were poured out into two large sandwich bags. Each guy got his own straw and we passed the "peace" coke bag around. This may not seem all that big to others, but I know this was huge and I can't wait to see how God uses this breakthrough into a group for his glory over the rest of the summer and year.
…and hey, could you pick up some bread on your way home?
Today I had the great privilege of preaching at The Lighthouse Church in Peachtree City, Ga. The pastor of the church, Mark Jordan, is an old buddy from high school, we reconnected through facebook and have had lunch a few times. It was encouraging to see what God is doing in the body of believers there. My desire was to share about our vision for Thailand from a theological perspective. The cool thing about talking to others is that you are also reminded of the greatness of God and the love of Jesus. Here are a few thoughts that crossed my mind again this morning. I will just give some bullet points. All of these points can be backed up with Scripture, but for this post I will just give the basic thoughts.
St Augustine prayed in his Confessions, "God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you."
God made us.
God made us for Himself.
Our hearts are restless.
They can only find rest in God, our maker.
We all have our own idols.
John Piper quote, "The greatest adversary of love to God is not his enemies but his gifts. And the most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth. For when these replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable."
We must cast down our idols.
We need Jesus.
We all worship. Do we worship God?
"Missions exists because true worship doesn't." John Piper
We need a savior.
Jesus saves.
The world needs to hear about Jesus.
We must go into all the world.
The following thought was not talked about this morning and I am not writing it because of the church I spent time with, it is a rabbit trail. Prepare for possible nitpicking.
I have heard and read many say that the "go" in the great commission, Matthew 28:18-20, is more of an "as you go", do these things. This has been debated, but I don't fall in line with the "as you go" thought, at least not for the way we "go" today. It comes across very passive. Now, if everyone was sharing Jesus even passively I might not take issue with it, but, in my opinion, we are not. And I stress we. I think it is more of a directive and command. We must go and tell people about Jesus. I need to wake up considering how I can tell others about Jesus and pray that I will take advantage of the many opportunities he gives me. I need to plan on sharing Jesus actively. It could also take away urgency and intentionally to just "as you go" share Jesus. It's like a CEO's wife asking him to pick up some bread on his way to work. His destination and purpose for leaving the house is work, getting the bread is an extra task he can do out of connivance and even love for her and his family. Work is essential for him, getting the bread could be delegated out or even renegotiated if his day is looking too busy.
So let's GO! Let's think of our friends and families that need Jesus. Let's think and pray for those we don't know and let's go into all the world, equipped and ready to watch God break down idols and forgive sinners, setting them free and giving them rest and purpose.
