I want everybody I meet to meet Jesus. I want to see their lives transformed by Christ. But I don't think we're called to convert people. We're called to serve people. When you come to convert, people put up walls. I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't share your faith. Of course you share what is most important to you with others. It's only natural. But when you do that without relationship I think it can be counter-productive. Not always. But sometimes.
Paul gave us a great modus operandi in I Thesalonnians 2:8:
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
We need to share the gospel and share our lives. That is the double-whammy! When you share your life and serve people, even the highest walls come down. Then people want to hear what we have to say!
Here is the question we ought to ask the people we meet: how can I serve you? I cannot save anyone. But I can serve everyone! And when we serve people, people get saved.
Paul gave us a great modus operandi in I Thesalonnians 2:8:
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
We need to share the gospel and share our lives. That is the double-whammy! When you share your life and serve people, even the highest walls come down. Then people want to hear what we have to say!
Here is the question we ought to ask the people we meet: how can I serve you? I cannot save anyone. But I can serve everyone! And when we serve people, people get saved.
11 Comments:
Yes, yes, yes! I use that scripture in almost every volunteer training I do for our children's ministry! I love that verse and when I think about how it applies to being a children's pastor, I get a renewed passion for what I do. I cry almost everytime I read it. Thanks.
That is the perfect sscripture for what Jesus asked us to do. The didn't say to make "converts" He said to make "disciples." We can make converts in one conversation (I've done it SCORES of times) but we make disciples with our lives! Small groups don't make disciples, the lives in the small groups make disciples. I used to be committed to being a "soul winnin' machine" but now I'm dedicated to being a "disciple maker." Thanks for helping me see it that much clearer.
Hey Mark,
I've been reading your blog for a few months now. Our staff visited you all at an Ebenezer's service a year ago and also attended Buzz in June. I'm wondering if there's any way we could have you come to our church to speak sometime?
Larry,
Always honored by an invite :)
Be happy to send a speaking request form your way. You can email amanda@theaterchurch.com and she'll send one your way to gather a little info and check dates, etc.
Blessings,
Mark
Sweeeet! My email address is larry@parkvalleychurch.com
Sorry Mark, I got a little excited! I'll email Amanda right now.
That is so Huge. Its so important to love people and share your life with them. Well said.
Amen! Let's meet people where they are - building relationships with them that will allow us to serve them and minister to them at their point of need!
This is a GREAT post. I wish you would do a series on how to serve and not try to save. Too often people forget the relationship part and just focus on forcing others to convert...including people they hardly know. That's why too many non-believers have perpetual walls up against Christians. Once someone hears you're a Christian, the walls automatically go up. It's a shame.
One word: Powerful!
ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!
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