My congregation and I are going to embark on a new sermon series this Sunday. Lo0sely patterned on Becoming a Contagious Christian, the series will focus on evangelism. However, my hope is that what will get communicated is not just “evangelism” as it is so often narrowly defined and negatively perceived. Instead, I hope we’ll entertain thoughts of what it would mean to incarnate the good news with such enthusiasm in our words and our deeds that it spreads to others.
These are lessons that I think my church really needs (of course I really need them, too). Let’s just say that we’re a ‘reserved’ congregation. We’ve got heart-felt faith…we’re just not that accustomed to talking about it. But since we do want to be obedient to our Savior’s call…and since we want to impact our community in positive ways…and since we’re getting ready to build a new church facility that gives us room for plenty of additional people–I’m really praying that we can overcome our reluctance and get excited about reaching out to others.
You’ll have to tell me if I’m on the right track. The effort begins this week with…
I like it, and will be looking forward to reading the continuing series.
Sometimes, though, I think that faith or Christianity is a little like leprocy or the flu — if you don’t want to “catch” it, you’ll do everything in your power to avoid getting it. I think those most likely to catch it are those who are open to it, have a need for it, or maybe had it before and have just avoided it for a time. If you extend a hand, an invitation, an opportunity — sometimes that’s all it takes. And yes, definitely, excitement and enthusiasm are most always contagious — unless you’re trying to avoid being “caught”, in which case people are sometimes pushed in the other direction by one’s overly enthusiastic approach. (Can you say Bible “BELT”?)
A key factor here, I think, is to meet people where they are in their journey of faith, and proceed with caution and one’s best listening skills.