GlocalNet

The whole point of the http://www.globalfaithforum.org is to respond in faith and love, not fear and anger, to people of different faiths, worldviews, races, and cultures.  As an evangelical if I want the whole world to hear about who Jesus is, I’d better know who they are, how they think, and how I can build respectful relationships with them. I’ve come to realize over the past few years from working globally that, for the most part, when we talk about the world, we’re talking to our own tribe about what we believe, about what the world must do, and how we must lead to bring about those changes - but no one is talking to the people they wish to change.  It seems to me that we have a lot of changing to do ourselves if we want to have a voice and platform for the Gospel in this world.

If you do begin talking with people of different tribes you can expect to face challenges from your own tribe.  Just talking to someone of a different tribe, or worse yet, building a friendship with someone of a different tribe can get you in a lot of trouble with your own tribe.  In the early days of my global engagement I feared other tribes - How would they view me?  Would they make fun of me?  Would they want to harm me?  Sadly, I’ve learned that you can expect far more opposition from your own tribe than from someone else’s tribe. Gandhi faced it.  Lincoln faced it. Show me one leader in any realm who brought about significant change and progress that didn’t face it. Leadership means the courage to begin to address issues in real ways.  Jesus faced it - he hung out with the prostitutes and tax collectors - and both of those categories really couldn’t stand one another. Today, among evangelicals, I fear the new “unwanted” people are not the tax collectors and the prostitutes - but Muslims and gays.  You don’t have to agree with someone to show them the love of Jesus - if anything - the more you think that someone is “lost” the more you should be there for them.  We’ve got this weird sort of “love Jesus thing” going that he forgives me and loves me but I don’t forgive and love others.

One thing I am convinced of is that in the near future those that disrespected members of other faiths are going to be very embarrassed and ashamed, much like those who fought civil rights for African Americans.  At the core for evangelicals is a question that begs an answer - Do we really love others or those like us?  Are we wiling to reach out - or will we reject, push back, and classify some of God’s creations as unworthy?  I am an evangelical who believes in the authority of the Bible and the divinity & humanity of Jesus Christ.  I also believe in his command to his followers to make known his name to all men and to let the world see that we are different by the love that we show to others?  I think it’s easier to acknowledge the authority of the Bible and the divinity & humanity of Christ than it is to do the later - let the world see and feel our love for them for the sake of Jesus.

DJ Chuang, a good friend for several years, interviewed me yesterday on his blog you can see it at :

Bob Roberts about the Global Faith Forum from DJ Chuang on Vimeo.

In the same vein, this was sent to me yesterday and it really excited me.  Tucker grew up in NorthWood’s youth group and his view would represent hundreds of kids that have come through the youth ministry - there is a shift taking place and we have to catch up.  I miss you fixing me Latte’s Tucker!!!!  Rock on little bro - proud of you man. This was an email his dad sent me . . . .

Bob,
Thought you might enjoy this, as well as be encouraged by the fact that our body is having an effect on the youth of our church.  Tucker has a blog with some friends of his – this was his latest post.  Obviously, being 18 he is still slightly too liberal for me, but I applaud his heart.  He writes under the nom de guerre Fancy Nickname. (Tucker’s Blog)

As an aside, Tucker has found a great bunch of kids to be in relationship with at Alabama, several of them hail from a Christian high school in Birmingham and wear their faith plainly and overtly.  I am so excited to see his faith working itself out in ways apart from our direct influence, and delighted that the Holy Spirit had linked him to like-minded believers.
The next time you find yourself running low on energy or are being confronted by the naysayers in our midst – remember the stories of kids like Tucker, Ben, Jill and all the others whose lives you have spoken into – and who, I pray, are poised to take up the cross and lead us forward in whatever realm they find themselves.
In His Grip,
Mike