How Resources Changed My Mind
When I was a young teen, my mom (a new Christian) gave me a book called Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. She said it was a science fiction book written by a Christian. Being the sci-fi fan that I was, and intrigued by the idea of a Christian authoring those types of books, I finished it and the rest of Lewis’ Space Trilogy. At that time, I had no idea how much I would come to be influenced by their author.
I later discovered C.S. Lewis as the man behind The Chronicles of Narnia and numerous other works influenced by his faith. His nonfiction writings built my passion for accessible theology. I read Mere Christianity and have since shared it with hundreds of different people as an apologetic defense of the gospel.
As a young, recently converted believer, I was drawn to the writing of Lewis—an articulate and engaging Oxford professor who talked about Jesus. To me, Lewis made it OK to love Jesus and have a brain. Half a century after his death, we still read his works because of how he wrote in such an accessible but passionate manner about the convictions of our faith.
Resources matter. The books we read and allow to influence us hold great importance—and not just in Lewis’ time or for those in the academic realm. Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae said books by Tim Keller and Andy Crouch shaped his approach to his faith and his music.
In the autobiographical song, “Non-Fiction,” Lecrae says it like this:
Shortly after I got a hold of Tim Keller’s books
Man I promise you it’s like my whole life changed
Andy Crouch wrote a book about culture-makin’
And after that I had to make a slight change.
Learning from Keller and Crouch, Lecrae began to see his calling in a new light. He stopped making music that just spoke about his faith and started making music that spoke through his faith. From that point on, he took much more of a cultural missionary direction. All because he read some books.
Knowing his story and others like it motivates me to be passionate about producing and promoting quality resources for the church and Christian leaders.
Why I Changed My Mind
It seems that every young pastor thinks it’s necessary to reinvent everything—because, in their mind, only they can do it the right way. They don’t need anyone else’s resources, so they create their own. Without realizing it, they are developing resources and spending considerable amounts of time doing it.
When I came to LifeWay years ago, I was probably inclined to think that missional ministry was more about relationships, not resources; about doing, not reading.
But some wise leaders gave me this advice: Resources can help churches be on mission by allowing them to be better stewards of their time. Resources serve as tools to help us reach goals and reach them sooner than we ever could on our own.
So, now I help make resources.
One example is The Gospel Project, a gospel-centered, theologically driven small group curriculum. Today, less than four years after it was first released, more than a million people use a Gospel Project esource each week—from 12 Stone Church in Georgia to New York’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church to Valley Baptist in Bakersfield, California.
So, I’ve changed my mind on resources.
The Right Perspective
I’m grateful for the ability to work on resources that I believe have tremendous potential to influence the Church.
In my experience, resources are what often motivate an individual to go out into his or her community with the gospel. Resources inspire people today and grow a legacy for tomorrow. Resources aren’t a substitute for people, but resources help us reach and serve people.
Don’t let pride keep you from asking what God has done elsewhere and if someone there might have already created the resource you need.
Keep focused on the goal—the gospel and the mission—but be willing to find and use the best tool that will help you get there.
(Credit: This article first appeared in Outreach Magazine.)
Earlier This Week on The Exchange
Evangelism in Post-Christian Western Europe: Six Insights
Three Reminders As We Dialogue For The Common Good
An Invitation To Our First Billy Graham Center Vision Gathering
Are We Talking Past Each Other? 3 Tips For Talking Faith With Friends & Neighbors
Notice that our church signs are missing this week? I didn’t receive any good ones, but keep sending them my way and we will include them. You can tweet your church signs to @EdStetzer.
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