Today I heard of a city-based church youth group that approached people in the streets on a Friday night. They made the offer to anyone they met that the cathedral, with lots of candles, is available if you would like to light a candle and pray about anything. People were quite open to that offer. 278 candles were lit that night.
The man telling me this story reflected on the evangelism efforts of his youth (many years ago). He and a mate would go up to people and ask them "If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?". In hindsight he is surprised that it led to any meaningful conversations, given that it was such a blatant 'turn or burn' message.
Perhaps it was different in the 60s and 70s. Australia was less diverse. You were either religious or not. Religious people went to heaven because they were 'good'. Being good equalled religious equalled heaven. Why not sign up? Even if it was a bit guilt-based.
It seems these days are different. In a more multicultural society, there are questions as to whether any particular religion can be sure what happens after death. So presenting yourself as certain seems arrogant. Particularly in Australia, that's an instant put-off.
In today's society it also seems like there is so much more to be concerned about. In a world that seems so overwhelming, it's perhaps not surprising that prayer is of interest, regardless of a person's beliefs. There's just something appealing about calling out for help.
I know someone who volunteered at the Body Mind Spirit exhibition, giving people foot massages. This was quite popular at an exhibition where people are on their feet all day. After each massage she would ask each customer if there was anything she could pray for them about. Never got a single knock-back.
There's something about prayer that says 'I care about you'. There's something about hard-core evangelism that says 'Let me tell you what to think'.
It's not surprising that the first of these is more appealing.
Wednesday 9 September 2015
Monday 23 March 2015
Daddy, can I have a puppy?
How many parents have been asked that kind of question? I'm guessing almost every one*.
A kid sees a puppy at a friend's house, or on TV, or at the park. It looks cute and cuddly. Kid wants one. What usually follows is a discussion about how owning a puppy is a big responsibility. Feeding it every day before and after school, taking it for walks, cleaning up after it, etc etc.
How does this relate to church?
Churches often ask their treasurer a similar question. "Can we have a church sign like __ church has?" is a lot like "Can we have a puppy like Tommy's family do?".
The difference is that nobody has the 'big responsibility' talk that parents have with a kid. Instead it's a case of 'Buy first, think later'. For a while people get excited about the new sign (like a new puppy) but then the excitement wears off. And the result is signs like this:
Week after week it's neglected, sitting in the yard. It's obvious that nobody cares about it anymore. If it were a puppy, it would be taken to an animal shelter at this point.
There's nothing wrong with advertising the worship times, but the old sign can do that job (at a tiny fraction of the cost).
It's not about the money
While it is a waste of money to buy a sign that does nothing more than the old sign, that's not the saddest part. It's the waste of opportunity. A changeable sign offers the ability to communicate with the neighbourhood.
A sign is a chance to do something. It's a chance to tell the good stories about church. A chance to connect with community over things we have in common. A chance to inspire. A chance to offer Christian commentary on current events (see Gosford Anglican and their 22,000 facebook followers for a great example of that one).
Overall, it's a chance to improve people's apathetic or slightly negative impression of what Christianity means. The waste of this chance is the bigger waste.
Sadly, all we say is "Sunday 8.30" and people's reaction is "Yes I know - and I'm still not coming". And why would they?
-------------------
* At the beginning I said that almost every parent would be asked about a puppy. Obviously this is only in the rich western world - not in places were people struggle to feed themselves from week to week. If we are thinking about a sign, but don't have the capacity to use it wisely, it might be a more Christian thing to give the money to the poor.
A kid sees a puppy at a friend's house, or on TV, or at the park. It looks cute and cuddly. Kid wants one. What usually follows is a discussion about how owning a puppy is a big responsibility. Feeding it every day before and after school, taking it for walks, cleaning up after it, etc etc.
How does this relate to church?
Churches often ask their treasurer a similar question. "Can we have a church sign like __ church has?" is a lot like "Can we have a puppy like Tommy's family do?".
The difference is that nobody has the 'big responsibility' talk that parents have with a kid. Instead it's a case of 'Buy first, think later'. For a while people get excited about the new sign (like a new puppy) but then the excitement wears off. And the result is signs like this:
Week after week it's neglected, sitting in the yard. It's obvious that nobody cares about it anymore. If it were a puppy, it would be taken to an animal shelter at this point.
There's nothing wrong with advertising the worship times, but the old sign can do that job (at a tiny fraction of the cost).
It's not about the money
While it is a waste of money to buy a sign that does nothing more than the old sign, that's not the saddest part. It's the waste of opportunity. A changeable sign offers the ability to communicate with the neighbourhood.
A sign is a chance to do something. It's a chance to tell the good stories about church. A chance to connect with community over things we have in common. A chance to inspire. A chance to offer Christian commentary on current events (see Gosford Anglican and their 22,000 facebook followers for a great example of that one).
Overall, it's a chance to improve people's apathetic or slightly negative impression of what Christianity means. The waste of this chance is the bigger waste.
Sadly, all we say is "Sunday 8.30" and people's reaction is "Yes I know - and I'm still not coming". And why would they?
-------------------
* At the beginning I said that almost every parent would be asked about a puppy. Obviously this is only in the rich western world - not in places were people struggle to feed themselves from week to week. If we are thinking about a sign, but don't have the capacity to use it wisely, it might be a more Christian thing to give the money to the poor.
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Finding Money
When I buy books at a charity second-hand book sale, I'm not expecting financial gain. But that's what happened at the Lifeline Bookfest.
I picked up about 10 books that day, and was flicking through my purchases, and discovered $35 in one of the books (Radical by David Platt).
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What to do? I checked the inside front cover for the previous owner's details - to return the money to them. The only words were "P.121 Just giving stuff away". Page 121 had some interesting words on Jesus...
A few pages earlier, the author mentioned that if we have shelter, clothes food and transport (even public transport) we are in the top 15 percent of wealthiest people.
I wonder if the money was intentional. As well as giving the books to support Lifeline's work with those in need, perhaps the money inside was a gift to the person buying this book. The previous owner's way of paying it forward.
It reminded me that part of why I buy books at Bookfest is to rescue great books and share them around. So if you know me personally, check out my library on Shared Bookshelves - and feel free to borrow any of these books from me. I'll add more as I read them.
If you're a far away reader, why not start a similar thing yourself? Put a list of your books on your church notice board - or on Shared Bookshelves - or on facebook for your Christian friends. It could be a real blessing to someone else.
PS. You probably won't find money in books you buy at Lifeline Bookfest, but you may get something even more valuable by reading these books. There are great Christian books available at a bargain price.
I picked up about 10 books that day, and was flicking through my purchases, and discovered $35 in one of the books (Radical by David Platt).
What to do? I checked the inside front cover for the previous owner's details - to return the money to them. The only words were "P.121 Just giving stuff away". Page 121 had some interesting words on Jesus...
"What if he told you and me to sell everything we have? What if he told us to sell our houses for simpler living arrangements? What if he told us to sell our cars for more modest ones - or for no cars at all? What if he told us to give away all but a couple of sets of clothes? What if ..."
A few pages earlier, the author mentioned that if we have shelter, clothes food and transport (even public transport) we are in the top 15 percent of wealthiest people.
I wonder if the money was intentional. As well as giving the books to support Lifeline's work with those in need, perhaps the money inside was a gift to the person buying this book. The previous owner's way of paying it forward.
It reminded me that part of why I buy books at Bookfest is to rescue great books and share them around. So if you know me personally, check out my library on Shared Bookshelves - and feel free to borrow any of these books from me. I'll add more as I read them.
If you're a far away reader, why not start a similar thing yourself? Put a list of your books on your church notice board - or on Shared Bookshelves - or on facebook for your Christian friends. It could be a real blessing to someone else.
PS. You probably won't find money in books you buy at Lifeline Bookfest, but you may get something even more valuable by reading these books. There are great Christian books available at a bargain price.
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