A number of years ago I was confronted by the depth of the division of opinion among believers in how to approach the task of evangelism.  I had read about different ideas but did not understand how deep the implications for the local church were.  The details of my experience are unimportant but the short version of the story is that the "theories" of books and differences of philosophy of ministry are much deeper than they appear on the surface.

For the newbie’s reading today, seeker-driven ministry seeks to meet the needs, wants and preferences of the unchurched as a means to reach them for Christ.  This effort typically runs aground for at least two reasons.  First, the approach is man-centered to a fault, making evangelism completely dependent upon the ability and attractiveness of the messenger instead of truth of God’s word and the person of Jesus.  Unfortunately that means our effectiveness as a witness is directly tied to our eloquence, intelligence and attractiveness.  This confuses God’s plan for our part in the evangelistic process with His role. Jesus himself made it clear that no one comes to God without the work of God in their life (John 6:44-45) and that the role of the Holy Spirit is to “convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). 

The second way this approach goes wrong is when they refuse to include meaningful forms of the faith ... because those things could make guests uncomfortable. The apostle Paul described his willingness to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ as "being all things to all people."  I, too, am passionate about taking the message of Christ to all people and I applaud the passion of those who go to great lengths in an effort to make the message of Christ understandable and accessible to those without Christ ...BUT ... we must remember that the Bible also says that the message of the cross is "foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Corinthians 1:18) and that Jesus is the "stumbling stone of offense" (Romans 9:31-33).  My point is that we can only make the call to repentance and belief only so palatable.  Christ's call on each person is that they die to themselves, humble their heart and follow Him in discipleship.  Ultimately, Jesus let people choose and many chose not follow as disciples once they understood all that it meant.

We will make our ministry structure at CBC as easy to understand for our guests as possible and the messages and music should be in culturally relevant forms that make sense and are meaningful.  But, we cannot "pander" in an effort to lead people to Christ ... neither will we compete with other churches in an effort to buy people's attendance with generous programming and appeals to membership that require little or nothing. Jesus said, "unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it cannot truly live" (John 12:24)  We must be careful not to go so far in our effort to be attractive and understandable that we give away the right to call those same people to the self sacrificing discipleship as followers of Christ. Consider the words of Jesus: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

SO WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

Imagine that I hope to persuade you to become a raving member of the Gator nation ... and tailgating, paint your face Orange and Blue, Tebow loving, Swamp-bound Florida Gator fan.  I could send you newspaper clippings of all the latest happenings with the football team ... who was recruited, scouting reports for upcoming games ... I could buy you a 2006 National Championship T Shirt, Foam finger and look-a-like Spurrier visor ... I could drop hints about how beautiful Gainesville is, how great our prospects of another national championship are, and talk long of the inspired coaching of Urban Meyers. And then I would hope that my love for the Gators would grow on you and that you would decide that what I enjoy looks like something you want and you would one day announce that you, too, are a Gator fan!  Much of my approach would be based upon our friendship and how effective I have been at enticing you to be a Gator fan.

OR

I could purchase two tickets to a November home game between Florida and Florida State in the Swamp (here is a great example!)... making sure that the tickets are on the fifty yard line and about 25 rows up ... and invite you to join me.  Together we would experience the Gator Nation at its finest. With thousands of others we would sing "We are the Boys from Old Florida," do the Gator chomp, cheer for the Gators, and enjoy the color, chaos and noise of a home football game against our arch rivals.  I believe that experience would put you in the best possible place to understand what it is to be a Gator fan and desire to become one yourself.  Now, I want you to be a Gator fan but rather than making that dependant on my explanation I have put you in a position to experience and decide for yourself.  My job is over when you walk into the stadium ... after that, the choice is yours.

Folks, I want our church to be passionate about going to the lost and sharing with them of the great love of God expressed in Christ, I want our ministries to make sense in form and content ... we will not dumb down the faith to make discipleship or membership as easy as possible. Let’s live out the real faith of passion, love and self sacrifice … inviting people to watch from a front row seat then invite them to join us as we follow Christ!

Our mantra at CBC has been – from the beginning – WHATEVER IT TAKES.  May that describe our willingness to give and go in an effort to take the message of Christ to the lost and hurting masses without hope or a future!

Blessings – see you Sunday,

Pastor Paul