Upcoming Relationship-Building Events
Written by Phillip, posted by Ryan
Missional Relationship Workshop- April 10
If you’re anything like me, you were taught all your life that God wants you to “evangelize” or “witness” or something like that. You may also have learned countless tactics to make your efforts more effective. And if you’re like me, you’ve also become frustrated with this approach, always feeling like you’re trying to sell a used car.
When I finally got it through my head that evangelism is nothing more, and nothing less, than building purposeful and loving relationships, everything changed. So now we’re holding regular Missional Relationship Workshops to help each other in this journey.
Our next workshop will take place on April 9th At the Bellwether Gallery, from 7-10 pm. See the map. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. Please previous post entitled “Missional Relationships”. Although a few things have changed since it was written, this post will give you a great glimpse of how this workshop is approached. Feel free to e-mail me (Phillip) for further information.
Hanging at the Square - Saturday evenings starting April 14
That’s right, you saw the title. It isn’t an event, a workshop, or an assignment. We are just hanging out, and getting to know a wide variety of people. We are going to hang out at Park Central Square most Saturday evenings, beginning April 14th. Anyone who wants to join us should meet at 8:30 pm on the northwest corner of Boonville and Olive, one half block north of the Square. Bring some water to hand out, guitars, hand drums, or just yourself; nothing difficult about just being yourself and hanging out. Feel free to e-mail me (Phillip) for further information.
4 Comments:
I agree with Steve Wiggins when he says," To change my world I must change me." It isn't about what I do or some kind of plan but who I am. It is all about telling others what we REALLY believe because we really believe it is good news that can help them tremendously and because we are really concerned about them. Witnessing shouldn’t be some forced plan. The word “go” in the great commission is actually the Greek word for “as you go”. How are you taking advantage of the access you have to God and making that apart of the relationships you have now? I also think that our motives need to be pure and up front. I don’t know of anyone who would want to start a relationship with someone who wants a friendship only because they want to “share” something with them. Close relationships take special conditions in order to develop. We shouldn’t try to develop a close relationship with someone simply to share our faith. What happens if they reject God? Will you still be their friend? How many of these missional relationships (ministry projects really) are you going to develop in your lifetime? Most people who hear the good news reject Christ. How will you witness to those who don’t want to be your friend? You probably agree that there are many avenues to share Christ but don’t you see how this seems very deceitful. If you meet someone and feel a legitimate desire to tell them about God, then you might get the opportunity to just tell them about God. Too many ministries have little hidden agendas (increase attendance at a church, fame, money, etc). Too many people witness and minister out of a compulsion that comes from wrong motives and not a legitimate compassion for others. They end up making people feel uncomfortable and used. I don’t think that Jesus’ ministry ever offended people because of his manner of teaching; it was usually the content of his teaching that turned them off. Jesus’ ministry mirrored the ministries of many of the rabbis in his time (calling disciples, speaking to large crowds in the wilderness and the temple) not because he wanted to be like the culture but because that type of ministry worked very well for everyone at that time. And Jesus was honest about what he was doing. Ministries that flourish are those that are honest about what they want and do it in a way that works. Billy Graham is simply there to share God to the masses through television and stadiums. The Salvation Army is there to take care of the poor by collecting from the public through their campaigns. Small Groups at Church provide the conditions to develop good relationships through intimate settings where people get together for Bible study, recreation and support. The recipients of these ministries are treated with dignity and in a truthful manner. There are so many setting that one can share Christ: television, idle conversation with strangers, the internet, relationships (real relationships, not people who are treated like projects), literature, church services, idle chat with coworkers, holding up a John 3:16 sign, and so on. I don’t think any situation is off limits if it is done out of the right motives and with the right attitude. If my witnessing is poor, I need to look at my own view of God (is it worth sharing?) and my concern for others (is it enough to make me go to the trouble to find a way to share with them?)
1:50 AM
Caleb,
Thanks for the comment. Missional Relationships is just a term. We could name it something else or put some other label on it and there will be misconceptions about it also. I hope we are not making people ministry projects, that would make me sick. Again, we are going to build relationships with people because we care about people. We don't want to build a relationship with them so we can shove Christ down their throat. We want to build a relationship simply to have a relationship. I think you are reading to much into the term. I hate terms because they become things they weren't intended to become. Please feel free to come share your point of view at the workshop. this isn't about a set period of time, this is a part of our lives. I hope that every part of our lives is a living gospel to others. We are not setting a period of time to share the gospel, we are going to others at all times to be the gospel, hopefully. It isn't so we get the opporutnity to share the Roman's Road but a part of our lives where we can continue to be Christ to others.
8:08 AM
I agree completely with Phillip. If you live near Springfield, Missouri, Caleb, we would love to have you join us on Tuesday, April 10th (not the 9th... that was a mistake.)
Just e-mail Phillip if you're interested.
By the way, though... thank you for your insight. It makes me excited to get to know you a little better.
8:29 AM
Yeah, after I went to sleep and woke up I was like, “Maybe I am thinking the relational missionaly thing is something else. Have I even been to Philip's workshop? No, I haven't!" I guess I have been apart of several ministries in the past that tell you they are doing one thing but hide secret agendas. These agendas might be okay agendas (church attendance, witnessing, etc) but I didn't feel the recipients of the ministry were respected and that God was trusted for the results if you have to be deceitful in the process. Sorry bout prejudging your agenda.
10:33 AM
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