Evangelism vs Mission

Evangelism is a word I have been uncomfortable with for years. Especially lately. Actually, when I used the word 'evangelism' in a conversation tonight, a friend remarked I said it like it was a dirty word. Come to think of it, its not too surprising since in my mind, it is a dirty word!! I don't like the word because I associate it with nasty tactics. From what I had learnt about evangelising and about evangelism - it is something I don't want to do. Maybe I'm just being fastidious. But this is what I associate with evangelising:

People (non-Christians) being refered to and often treating like targets; scaring people in to heaven by telling them they'll go to hell if they don't accept Christ; an exercise to get people to pray 'the sinners prayer'; something I should do to mark that I am a good Christian/doing my Christian duty; notching up stats to help me feel good about a Christian who is worried about 'saving the souls of the lost'; reciting a formulaic blurb to entice people into Christianity...

OK. Maybe that all sounds a little cynical, but all that I have heard in the past, and some of what I am hearing now to do with evangelism, usually bears the hallmarks of the paragraph above. Can't stand it! And then there's the whole televangelism thing. A-whole-nother story!

So, what then? Well, I do believe as followers of Jesus, we are to share about Jesus. If I think following Jesus is so wonderful and I have made a life choice to follow him, then it should naturally be something I want to tell people about. But I think the best way to share about Jesus, it to let my life speak of that decision to follow Jesus. I see faith as not simply a decision or promise to a person or set of beliefs, but faith is a choice to practice life. And this life is practiced in the context of a relationship - formostly with Jesus, and also with others around us. (sort of paraphrased from a quote by Leonard Sweet). In that light, I understand evangelism to be aiming to get that person to a place to make a promise or decision (I know its more than that, but...). On the other hand, I see mission as living out the faith.

For example, people are into alternative lifestyles now - organic, vegan etc. The beliefs and values that they hold that are shaping their lifestyle is communicated through their lives. These beliefs and values have permeated thier lives. They live by it, and how they express themselves is shaped by it. The beliefs and values of a Jesus follower should permeate their lives, that they will share about Jesus by simply being themselves.

So, 'mission' or 'being missional' means letting my life speak about Jesus. It means that my life will speak of my lifestyle choice to be a follower of Jesus. It means that in my relationships and friendships with others, I don't try to convert them, but sharing my faith (to use the lingo) will come naturally through conversations and actions because it is part of who I am. Its means having a longer term relationship with people, it cares not only for their spiritual side, but the whole person. Hardest of all, they get to see what an expression of faith is like!! Yikes! Now thats hard. They get to see what I am like as a follower of Jesus! And I become an expression of Jesus to them!! Gosh! In that light, it seems much easier to take 5 minutes to accost a stranger with a track! But then, isn't being incarnational? Me, being Jesus to others... and wasn't Jesus' mission incarnational? He, representing God to us...

'I had a right'

Rosa Parks, the black woman who marked the start of the modern US civil rights movement by refusing to give up her seat on the bus has died. I admit I know nothing of her life except this one courageous act that has made history. I can't imagine what it would have been like to stand up against the norm, the law, and the inequalities during that time. All I know is that because she took the courage to stand up (or rather sit down in this case!) for something she believed in, she paved the way for equality among races in the US. And she is known across the globe for this. I guess its probably also because it was a peaceful protest, and it sparked a peaceful protest.

May the spirit and courage of Rosa live on in all who seek to champion for the rights of those who have less, and may it all be done also in peace.

call security!

When I was in Sydney, there were billboards and TV ads asking people to be vigilant against terrorism - "Every little bit helps". They were encouraging people to come forward with any information that could potentially foil a terrorist attack. And recently in NZ, I heard ads on the radio, also asking people to be vigilant. About bio-security. We need to watch out for exotic pests that could potentially reek havoc on our agricultural industry.

I have to say, there is something rather comforting about being in a country whose current main security concern in bio-security. With all the bombings and rumours of eminent attacks, and increased security presence, there is something nice about arriving at an airport and having dogs sniff your bags for fruits rather than for other potentially more sinister items.

croaky!

Home sick... again. This time I went to see the doctor. Its laryngitis, so instead of talking, I now croak. This time last week I was at home, sick as well. Then I had a really bad sore throat and just felt really crook. I think whatever I had morphed into whatever I am having now. Even the doctor couldn't make a specific diagnosis, except that I have the symptoms of a bacterial infection so she has prescribed antibiotics.

And of course, as Murphy's Law would have it, I have had slightly more than usual phone calls since I have lost my voice and have ended up croaking into the end of the phone - but thankfully having very short conversations.

At least it is sunny. But day time TV is really bad. So I have ended up bugging friends via email. Heh heh...

OMG!!!

Was surfing through ship of fools and came across this. At first I thought it was a joke... until I checked out the website. I cannot imagine anyone I know remotely wanting to play this game. Anyway, isn't it a bit deceitful - inviting poor unsuspecting non-Christians to play a board game (which they probably think will be Settlers or Cranium or Pictionary etc) and you whip out this Salvation Challenge game?

But then there are several methods or inflicting salvation or evangelising that I would deem rather deceitful or ungracious. Especially those that call for you to accost a stranger and recite some formulaic story to them. Well, basically I'm referring to one that I really don't like called the Black Book. [by the way, I think websites who say they are about proclaiming the gospel and then are obsessed wioth stats are a bit suspect. Why have stats? Scare themselves into evagelising?]

The basic premise is starting with the question "Do all good people go to heaven?" Well, you can guess what happens next. But the thing is, I do not recall Jesus ever using that line on anyone in the gospels. Jesus always approaches others with compassion eventhough he was confronting them with the awful truth. The Samaritan woman, for example, he starts introducing her to life first by beginning to talk about living water. Then he confronts her 'sin' and tells her go leave her 'sinful' life behind. But all with the promise of life. The woman acknowledged what she did was wrong and that she needed to get her life right. Jesus didn't have to threaten her with the prospect of hell. If Jesus is all we say he is cut out to be, then talking about him and the life is offers should be enticing enough. Not scaring people into heaven! Gosh. They might get there, look at Jesus and say "Who are you? Not really heard of you before!"

I had to do a workshop at mid-year conference. And I ended talking about the uniqueness of Christ. In it, I urged students to listen to what others had to say, not to sound arrogant or take the high road. And most of all, to talk about how Jesus is different. Not better. Not right (and whatever others believe in is wrong). But different. Talk about life. Talk about grace. Talk about love. Thats what Jesus talked about.

But then maybe I am too pc in my approach...

hmm...

According to the test on http://www.politicalcompass.org/ I am:
Economic Left/Right: -4.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.05

Which will put me somewhere nearish Nelson Mandela...

but in an NZ context...

near the Greens - didn't vote for them and not sure if I will in the future. Maybe this explains why I found it hard to vote for this election!