In my desire to be 'seeker-friendly,' I'm often guilty of concealing Jesus.
Carolyn Arends | posted 3/30/2009 10:17AM
A friend was involved for years in a weekly service intended to reach out to inner-city kids, the majority of whom had little church experience and no acknowledged relationship with Jesus.
Perhaps this is why the revival (yes there's an old fashioned word) is breaking out more powerfully in many places OUTSIDE the United States. Places where fear of offending seekers is non-existent. I do believe we have to be relevant to our culture and all it's uniqueness, but the call to follow Jesus is still quite simple and direct. What moved those students in Mexico was the precious heart of a servant of Jesus and her powerful compassion for sick kids most of whom could not understand her language, but "got it" anyway! Thanks for a powerful article.
john vorvick
Posted: April 01, 2009 1:05 AM
Carolyn! Mark! The Stockers say "hi"! Oh, and good article!
backpackerbill
Posted: March 31, 2009 5:01 PM
This is exactly what Jesus, and prayer are all about! Thanks for a fine article.
Bill Kirkemo
Posted: March 31, 2009 3:18 PM
Great writing. Reminds me of What Dietrich Bonhoffer wrote in Ethics, the difference between the Ultimate and the Penultimate. The Penultimate is great - it's everything that helps people grow closer and closer to Christ (compassion, works of grace, acts of love). But Salvation is the Ulitmate - and the words need to be spoken at some point in the relationship - "will you accept what Christ has done for you?" Too often Christians seem to be too scared or nervous to speak thouse Ultimate words, and instead hope that God will send someone else to speak them.
http://ketch22.wordpress.com
Posted: March 31, 2009 2:38 PM
A nice reminder that God doesn't "need" us to save people... but rather "uses" us. Only God can save and/or convert the heart... and He can do it with just the speaking of His truth. He doesn't need us to sugar coat it or make it seeker friendly as He is in control... and His will be done, with or without us.
Dave
Posted: March 31, 2009 8:12 AM
Thank you so much for this article!!! I think there is much wisdom in the caution not to be so seeker-sensitive as to miss the holiness (and grace) of God. The testimony about the dear woman who prayed, prayed, prayed, was a wonderful and refreshing way to start the day. Thank you very much!!! That story is a blessing that will stay with me!
Doug
Posted: March 31, 2009 1:31 AM
Very thought provoking. How many times have I let the opportunity pass, thinking Christ would be offensive to somebody? Too often. I too am guilty of being passive when the Holy Spirit was prodding me to action.
I really appreciate the author's perspective and insight. God help me.
Eng Hoe
Posted: March 30, 2009 11:49 PM
What a great story. Thanks. It highlights how we so often think that belief involves only a cognitive and mental assent and we do not give room to the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people.
Loretta
Posted: March 30, 2009 5:58 PM
Thank you so much. For years I have gone in circles trying to find a church that was not so seeker sensitive that the Christian's only focus was the lost, never mind the Christians who needed more that milk. When my pastor refused to hold a bible because it might offend a seeker was when I knew I no longer fit in that congregation.
We are in danger of losing a generation to the church of the pop show, the stage, the microphone, the popular. Somehow in all this seeker methodology and fad -- an era that will pass -- we have lost holiness. There should be no shame in giving seekers what they have come to find, God and Christ incarnate.
Jesus did not use subtlety and tricks to proclaim The Message. Let him who has ears hear -- from us.
Dane Gressett
Posted: March 30, 2009 5:57 PM
I am touched by the Spirit after reading your article. I too want to be more available to God as He creates opportunities for people to experience Him.
Mark Daniels
Posted: March 30, 2009 4:46 PM
Thank you, Carolyn. I will be linking to this on my blog: http://markdaniels.blogspot.com.
Scoti Springfield Domeij
Posted: March 30, 2009 4:35 PM
Sweet article. It touched my heart. I've befriended a single mother, who is my neighbor. She's hurting. I decided not to proselytize, but to be myself, trust God to draw her to himself, and show her the hospitality of Christ--"This man receives sinners and eats with them." Luke 15:2. I wrote an article about it at http://www.ungrind.org/2008/12/operation-jump.html What's so amazing to me, is how God is working in her life and how she's responding. I'm waiting with confidence and patience to rejoice with her when God restores her life of choices that have only brought pain and suffering. Plus, I'm enjoying our "girlfriend" relationship as she seeks to know more about the Lord.
Robert Evans
Posted: March 30, 2009 4:04 PM
That was worth reading! Very cool, very encouraging! Thank you.
The G
Posted: March 30, 2009 3:33 PM
Excellent article! The Christian is the true existentialist. He engages his faith moment by moment. Unless Christ is about every moment, we betray Him. I thought I was going to read an article about the obvious absence of hell in the Seeker oriented movement. This was a welcome testimony to the power of God Christians think they should stray away from. Hebrews 2:1!
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