On page 79, the author states “Intentionally or not, we promote the idea to outsiders that being a Christ follower is primarily about the mere choice to convert.”
Questions:
(1) In your opinion, what is being a Christ follower about?
(2) How can this be more effectively addressed in our churches?
On page 87, in response to this the topic of outsiders perceptions of church people, Chuck Colson states “The church grew because Christians were doing the gospel and had a community – a local church – where people really loved each other.”
Questions
(1) What does “doing” the gospel look like in 2008?
(2) How can a “community – a local church – where people really love each other” become reality where you live?
Unchristian: What A New Generation Really Thinks About Chrstianity . . . And Why It Matters by David Kinnaman addresses the increasingly negative reputation of Christians, especially among young Americans. It is the church's task to be effective agents of spiritual transformation. In this blog, I hope we can respond to the book and to each other to help accomplish this task.
Posts
2 comments:
Questions:
(1) In your opinion, what is being a Christ follower about?
The answer to this seems to be illustrated in the parable of the sower found in Mathew 13. Jesus said, "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
This may sound overly simple but to be called a Christ follower I must follow Christ! Following Christ involves not only receiving Christ but being transformed by Him. As the book rightly points out this begins with a renewing of the mind. Christ followers will be known for their love; their love of Christ and their love of neighbor. To be a follower of Christ is to live as Christ. To have the mind and action of Christ.
(2) How can this be more effectively addressed in our churches?
The best answer may be found in your next quote from Colson, "Christians were doing the gospel and had a community-a local church-where people really loved each other." I think it important here that telling the gospel without doing the gospel results in the problem we have today.
In I John we are told that we will be known by, "the love we have for one another." It seems to me the church today is seen as a building where you attend "stuff" verses a community of people caring, sharing and living for each other.
I have been sharing with our core group that we must fall in love with each other if we are to be effective. This requires time spent together, vulnerability with one another as well as commitment to one another. We really must begin to think of ourselves as a family/community.
Questions
(1) What does “doing” the gospel look like in 2008?
I think it is the same as "doing" the gospel in the first century. We will be known for our love one for another. We will be salt and light in a darkened world. We will be humble, servants, filled with joy no matter the circumstances, giving thanks always, actively submitting to one another, etc.
(2) How can a “community – a local church – where people really love each other” become reality where you live?
I think it happens through the transforming of our minds, gaining the mind of Christ. It must involve serving. Christ said, "I did not come to be served but to be a servant to all." See also my answer to question 2 above.
i'm just trying to join the conversation right now - so it won't be a long post,
question #1 - i'm going to agree with paul. it needs to be more about "following." it seems like we sometimes turn CHRISTianity into a cognitive thing. discipleship can become only about head knowledge, but CHRISTianity should be about being someone walking in the path of CHRIST through the power of the SPIRIT. we are redeemed to walk with and like HIM.
Question 2 - i think the key is to move discipleship away from head knowledge to practice. make the key to our bible studies the goal of producing change and action.
i'll bounce onto the other two questions tomorrow (i'm still tired from LEAD team - which was wonderful - and getting back to point to then be a part of an intervarsity thing) but i will say that i pretty much connect with what paul said on those two.
Post a Comment