Pastor's Blog
As Henry and I walked each morning this week, I found myself reflecting on the differences in our perspectives. As we follow the road curving past Casper College, I “lift mine eyes to the hills” and savor the vista of snow on Casper Mountain spreading out before me. Henry, on the other hand, savors every smell of our walk. His nose is glued to the ground, sniffing every step of the way. Checking, always checking – "what dogs have been here since I marked this spot yesterday morning? – yup, that banana peel was here yesterday, still doesn’t smell edible."
We both enjoy the walk. I need the exercise more than he does. I enjoy the view. He enjoys the smells.
The same moment in space and time is no doubt experienced differently by folks driving by. Some smile and wave, and I wonder, “Was that a parishioner or just someone being friendly?” Others are busy, talking on a phone, eating, putting on makeup, rushing on the way to school or work. How different a hill looks when you’re driving quickly down it or walking slowly up it or sniffing with a canine nose just inches off the ground.
Our elders this year are reading the book “Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism.” It offers a particular perspective on evangelism – that the purpose or focus or goal is not trying to get new members to join the church so your congregation can have more money or do more programs, but to SHARE the LOVE of GOD from a place of DEEP JOY. In a way, it helps make the shift from a perspective of scarcity to one of abundance. If we only look at what we don’t have, we tend to be afraid. Churches often worry about finances – if we don’t get more money, we’ll have to close the doors. From a perspective of fear, frantic “programs” can be tried for the sake of “evangelism” with the express purpose of getting more members into a church so it won’t die. Not surprisingly, that often doesn’t work. From a perspective of abundance, the very same group of folks may come to see that God’s love is over-flowing! The church (universal) was here long before we came on the scene, and God will continue working in the world long after we're in heaven. We only need to do one simple thing: share God’s love. Evangelism is not about “getting members” (though that can be a side benefit) – it’s about living a life so powerfully, wonderfully, completely transformed by the forgiveness of Christ and an indwelling of the Holy Spirit that you just can’t help telling other people the Good News!
Over the past 3 Sundays, FCC has gained 9 new members. What a wonderful time of JOY in the church! We haven’t really been “doing” evangelism any harder than usual in terms of specifically starting a calling program or launching a major publicity campaign, yet we must be “doing” something right… Here’s what we have been doing – a family welcomed a teenager into their routine without judging him, he started singing in the church choir, he felt welcomed there too, and now…. A woman listened patiently to a friend having a rough patch, prayed with her, invited her to worship “just once,” then she came back, she found a warmth and love here, and now…. A couple heard of some folks in need and went out of their way to offer support, they acted as Jesus would to give water to the thirsty, and now…. There is something contagious about people who really do LIVE out the Christian faith!
May your perspective of God’s love be both broad enough to see the highest mountain and intimate enough to savor the sweetest aromas of life. May our perspective of evangelism be one of ABUNDANT sharing and continued trust!