Being externally focused

What does it mean to be a Christian? When non-believers think of us...what do they remember...what comes to their mind?

I may be afraid of what the answer might be. I learned early on that They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, they will know we are Christians by our love (Thanks Mr. Irwin). But is that how non-believers really "know us?"

I am reading a new book that is called The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson and I love the emphasis. As Christians we are often good at knowing our place in the kingdom...unless that place includes doing something, or sacrificing something, or putting someone else ahead of our wants. See, I see a bunch of people (generally speaking) who say they are Christians, but forget the main reason for their existence...to be like Jesus...loving others and doing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

I know of a Jewish, atheist, communist who after receiving Jesus Christ as his personal Savior was witnessing to others...10 minutes later! (Thanks for that, Erwin) We have people in our "tribes" that haven't mustered the strength to do something after being Christian their whole lives! I know, I used to fit into that category myself!

Here is an exerpt from the book that might help you begin to understand...

Something wonderful is happening today. After a long slumber, the evangelical church is reawakening to its other side. I call it the proof side of proclaiming the gospel.

I first experienced this other side when our church, along with several others, organized to renovate some of the public schools in our area. Teachers and school officials had not asked for our help and were clearly surprised when we offered it. But when thousands of church volunteers descended on their schools, rebuilding playgrounds, landscaping entryways, laying carpet, constructing hundreds of much needed cabinets, and painting hallways and classrooms, something special took place.

They believed...

Through witnessing these selfless demonstrations of love and helpful acts of service, they believed that the church just might have something worth listening to. I will never forget the comment of one fourth-grade teacher as she stood there, amazed at the work being done on her classroom by complete strangers: "If this is Christianity, then I'm interested," she said.

It was then and there that I realized our world was still open to a gospel it can hear and see. The real gospel is two-sided - it's truth and proof!

Imagine Jesus going out into towns and villages during his public ministry and proclaiming his gospel without accompanying acts of healing and helping (Matthew 9:35). Do we really think our Savior would have gained a hearing (much less a following) or established the credibility of his message - without displaying some proof that this gospel was real? Why would we ignore such a model?

We need to be like Jesus. Like him, we need to be out in our communities, connecting with people through acts of amazing love...while connecting them to a God of amzing grace. Now that's good news!

History tells us the church has always been at its best when its gospel comes two-sided like this. Evangeliscals have had some of their greatest moments when this has been the case. One has to look back only a few years to John and Charles Wesley, William Wilberforce, and Charles Finney for some outstanding examples. But new examples are already on the horizon as more and more churches rediscover this external focus.

I have been overwhelmed with the response of our church since those early days when we took our first cautious steps into some of the urban neighborhods of our city. Formerly passive church members have gained a new vision and energy for the use of their talents and gifts. New partnerships and friendships have been established. We no longer appear as some secret society or stranger to our city. We are now silidly networked all over our community. Today we have six full-time staff members devoted to enhancing and expanding our community strategy. Presently, we are thrilled to be beginning a multi-year project of adopting a 130-block area of our city for social, spiritual, economic, and educational revitalization.

Wow...if that doesn't get you intrigued, I have to say WHY NOT? Helping people in the name of Jesus...what an opportunity! That is what Jesus is saying when he encourages us to pray Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven... Hey, Jesus is going to finish the job one day...but he has made us his stewards until that time!

This Christmas season, let's get Christ out of the manger and into our hearts! Only when our hearts are changed by the love of a God who came to save us while we were yet sinners, will we move into this two-sided gospel that will not only transform lives, but communities...and most importantly, God's Kingdom! God bless you as you do!

(see Some thoughts on leading for the future link on the right...www.leadnet.org)