The One Thing That Matters

I've been follower of Jesus for thirty-seven years. For thirty-one of those years I've been involved in full-time vocational ministry. I've enjoyed a lot of exciting and fulfilling dimensions of discipleship and ministry. I love preaching and I get to do it weekly. Teaching is a particularly joyful experience for me, and I've been involved in leading comprehensive, long-term Bible studies since 1987. I've had the chance to lead revivals and other evangelism-focused events in numerous places. I've been involved in countless faith-based mission projects throughout our state and nation. I've been a part of four church building programs. I've had the chance to serve in leadership positions for our denomination in our state, and I've been among those who have represented our state in regional-level denominational gatherings. I've been to the Holy Land, and many other places that have strengthened my faith. This is all by God's doing and not by my effort. I have been graced by God in more ways than I could ever deserve or imagine.

None of those things, though, come close to the most purposeful and fulfilling event in discipleship - participating with the Holy Spirit in introducing Jesus to someone who is living far from God. Followers of Jesus, there is nothing like it! All of us have differing roles to play in helping another person to see Jesus. Yet we all have something to contribute. There is a "rightness" about it that is like nothing else. If I had to make the choice between all I listed in the paragraph above and one chance to help another human being come face to face with the Son of the living God, I would take the latter in a heartbeat.

Sometimes I can get distracted and I allow myself to be distanced from this one thing that matters. This weekend God graced me with a reminder of the central purpose that is ours. So I'm kind of basking in thankfulness right now. I'll see you around the next bend in the river.

The Next Frontier

I grew up a half a century ago, when mainline Christian denominations largely had little to no concept of fulfilling the Great Commission. We assumed that people would want to join churches, naturally. Those who wanted to do so could find their way to churches. We were unaware that a crippling decline was underway.

I the late seventies I awakened to the centrality of evangelism, along with thousands of others across mainline Christianity. For the next two decades many of us would work and struggle to put disciple-making closer to center stage in the midst of denominations that were confused about their primary purpose at best, and fractured over it at worst.

In these days, at least in my state, our denomination has taken bold steps toward making the main thing stay the main thing - making new disciples for Jesus. For me, it's something for which I've longed and prayed for nearly thirty years.

In this important trajectory, I see a new frontier opening. In my experience, even evangelicals have a basic presumption that isn't too far from the laid back attitude of mainline churches a half a century ago. We assume that people turning to God need to come to us. They need to make their way to our worship services. They need to come to our revivals and special services. They need to respond to our advertising, our signs, and our promotions. It's unintentional and subtle, but it communicates something powerful - If you need God, you need to come to us.

That's not the model I see in the testimony of the Christian Bible. Time and again, Jesus went to where people are; he didn't wait for them to come to him. Jesus-followers found ways to go to people living far from God; they didn't set up camp somewhere and wait for unreached people to take the initiative. That's what I see dynamic church fellowships doing. If you need God, we'll come to you. Jesus-followers spend more time outside their walls and structures than within. That's the next frontier for most of us.

Have a blessed and safe Memorial Day weekend. Remember the reason for the observance. I'll see you around the next bend in the river.