GlocalNet

Yesterday I had a very surreal experience.  I had some of my non-Christian friends at the GFF want Bibles as well as information on comparing Christianity and their particular faiths as well as simple books on the Trinity and the divine/human nature of Jesus.  I went to five Christian bookstores and left depressed after every visit.  There are lots of books for Christians on the evils of other religions and why they are wrong, but hardly nothing if someone of another religion came in wanting to understand the differences.  When I looked for small books on the Trinity and the divine/human nature of Jesus - all I could find were huge volumes that not even most Christians read.  The small volumes I did find were specialty volumes quoting earlier church Fathers, historians, and special creeds.  I then began to walk through the section of Christian books - and it was so, so, so obvious how we write for ourselves.  It was either heavy theology that even most Christians don’t get or how to be happy living in a Christian bubble.  It’s no wonder that we can’t keep our own.  It’s no wonder that other religions don’t understand us.  Just go to the eschatology section, and if you’re a non-Christian, see how it makes you feel.  I’m convinced we are out of touch.  Nikki got on to me for expecting it to be so open, and said “People who are non-Christians will go to somewhere like Barnes and Nobles that’s where those books will be.”  She’s right, they’re not going to come into a Christian bookstore.  The only problem is, try to find books like that at Barnes and Nobles. 

Alas, we are cocooned and good preaching is the Amen & Wow coming from the tribe instead of why, how, and what difference does it make.  The Western church may fund missionaries, but she is not global - in the least.

I’ve received lots of emails and calls from pastor friends who were here that, for them, the GFF was transformative.  It has shaken their worlds and made them rethink how they see the world and how they communicate and how they reach out to others.  If you begin to reach out to others unlike you, and you take it a step further and begin to engage the world - you will become a tremendously well rounded follower of Jesus.  Why would I say that?  Four reasons, first, because you have to understand the world - so your faith won’t be in your bubble.  Second, because you have to understand the culture - so you know how to communicate it.  Third, because you have to understand other faiths so you can explain your own.  Fourth, because you have to worship, pray and be in God’s word daily to be clear about your answers.  In the midst of all these questions and observations you begin to grow multi-directionally and it impacts your preaching, evangelism, communication - all of it.  Let me give you some practical steps on moving forward.

First, build a bridge between you and a religious leader of another faith.  The way you do that is to go to “their” place and introduce yourself and meet with them.  Ask them to explain “their” stuff to you so that you understand them first.  It’s crazy for you to show up and start preaching “your” stuff.  Next, ask them over to your house and hang out with them as a couple.  This will be fun for you and your family.  You will be able to get to know them as a person.  Then begin to ask them questions about what they believe and your understandings of that. 

Second, preach clearly what you believe to your own people.  Don’t be afraid to be honest and open.  You’ll ALWAYS need to have doctrine and truth in your sermons sprinkled in from beginning to end.  I began hitting the Trinity really hard with my own people a few years ago.  As others from other faiths would ask me questions, it caused me to look hard at what I really believed, why, and how do I explain it in a simple way where they can get it.  You will FOREVER be helping your people to give clear, gracious, loving answers - if you come out of the cocoon.  Don’t be afraid to explain the differences - I’ll often say, “this is where we differ from Buddhist, or whatever, and this is what we believe, and this is why . . . ”

Third, anticipate questions.  For Jesus followers our two biggest questions will be the divinity of Christ - most don’t question his humanity - and the Trinity.  I’m working hard to learn simpler ways of explaining that.  For us as Jesus followers, this is huge.  This will be for us tje questions of the century. 

Fourth, tell stories of hanging out with people that are not Jesus followers.  How you relate.  As this happens, so will your people.  THEY WILL BEGIN TO ASK QUESTIONS - THAT’S OK!!!  In the past they simply parroted words and ignored it if they didn’t understand.  You don’t get that luxury when you wake up in the world.  Stay calm, stay focused - take time and explain - and then recommend other books, resources, etc.  I tell people often, you have no right to question if you are too lazy to study and go deep with the questions.  I fear we have a condition called “lazy faith” that is a non-thinking and a non-practicing and a non-engaging faith.  Craig Groeshel is right on the practical atheist thing. 

Fifth, focus on the projects together.  Keep in mind - if you start with the head it’s all over.  You start with the common good of the city - you start with humanity and servanthood and as you serve them you discuss the differences. 

The American church needs the Starbucks of the Holy Spirit to become alert and thinking - but not “historical” or “academic” theology - but clear, simple, Biblical faith truth that we can all give as Paul wrote, “clear, gracious, answers” in all things. 

I get excited thinking about this as it begins to happen, particularly with younger pastors, and newer churches, what and how the church will begin to say, expand, grow, engage, and be a witness to All nations, All tribes, and All peoples.