I have listened to and watched the following video numerous times. My question how do you actual change this is denominations where the ways are so entrenched.
Slowly. That's how you do it. And from within. And if that process frustrates you, you change denominations, plant your own mega church, or work for AFES.
First some points- he starts off talking about church planting and accessing but then moved on lack of guys- so is that in the context of starting a church/growing a church? or is he talking about guys in general. (btw he seems to contradict the other sermon about telling the guys to hurry up and go out and get married. If he is over 50% of single guys in his church they must not be taking his advice :P )
Seriously though I like his point about not being critical (are they critical or are they leaders?) because I see that all around us. so that might mean being less critical and jumping alongside people and finding out where they are at how we can help them in their ministry.
Finally I think we need to be doing more in the way of relational evangelism: Are we doing more to associate on a relational level with non-christians. That might mean inviting non christians onto our soccer teams instead of friends. It might mean asking to join other teams or just hanging around to fill into for teams in order to get to know people. It might mean giving up some of social life with christians to hangout with work colleges or taking a less self centred view of who we are and how we fit into our church and what I am doing and asking can i do something to help other people's ministry... Just brain storming about some ideas that I've been having... and I think prayer for and with other people is important.
However i think if we are looking to change people's thinking on things we need to get alongside those people. Ask people about them and their role in the church, their goals, their evangelistic oppotunities offer to help- share with them your triumphs and lows- not shoving it down their throats but in love by building the relationship.
For example when impact first started we had a lot of nay sayers. however dave got alongside those people and gave them the oppotunity to see for them selves what was happening( e.g. camp cooks, leading a devotion, getting them in and now those people are some of his strongest supporters behind the scenes) He could have been critical or just avoided the people but instead turned them by finding out their strengths and got them involved. (sorry thats a long and rambly answer)
Slowly. That's how you do it. And from within. And if that process frustrates you, you change denominations, plant your own mega church, or work for AFES.
ReplyDeleteFirst some points- he starts off talking about church planting and accessing but then moved on lack of guys- so is that in the context of starting a church/growing a church? or is he talking about guys in general. (btw he seems to contradict the other sermon about telling the guys to hurry up and go out and get married. If he is over 50% of single guys in his church they must not be taking his advice :P )
ReplyDeleteSeriously though I like his point about not being critical (are they critical or are they leaders?) because I see that all around us. so that might mean being less critical and jumping alongside people and finding out where they are at how we can help them in their ministry.
Finally I think we need to be doing more in the way of relational evangelism: Are we doing more to associate on a relational level with non-christians. That might mean inviting non christians onto our soccer teams instead of friends. It might mean asking to join other teams or just hanging around to fill into for teams in order to get to know people. It might mean giving up some of social life with christians to hangout with work colleges or taking a less self centred view of who we are and how we fit into our church and what I am doing and asking can i do something to help other people's ministry... Just brain storming about some ideas that I've been having... and I think prayer for and with other people is important.
However i think if we are looking to change people's thinking on things we need to get alongside those people. Ask people about them and their role in the church, their goals, their evangelistic oppotunities offer to help- share with them your triumphs and lows- not shoving it down their throats but in love by building the relationship.
For example when impact first started we had a lot of nay sayers. however dave got alongside those people and gave them the oppotunity to see for them selves what was happening( e.g. camp cooks, leading a devotion, getting them in and now those people are some of his strongest supporters behind the scenes) He could have been critical or just avoided the people but instead turned them by finding out their strengths and got them involved. (sorry thats a long and rambly answer)
Chris, I'm worried somebody has hacked your account and played a terrible joke on you.
ReplyDeleteYour favourite movies in your profile include Erin Brokovich, My Fair Lady, the Sound of Music and Grease.
Just a heads up.
Thanks Nathan I will fix that up..
ReplyDelete