That seems to be the same situation with many people who are not apart of a community of faith in America. Those who are outside a community of faith in America have heard of Jesus. They know about the cross, Heaven and God, but they aren’t coming back.
From Unchristian-
“The vast majority of outsiders within the Mosaic and Buster generations (age 18-41) have been to churches before; most have attended at least one church for several months; and nearly nine out of every ten say they know Christians personally, having about five friends who are believers.”
One reason for why they outsiders and not insiders, is the images Christians have earned and have been given.
“One outsider put it this way; ‘Most people I meet assume that Christian means very conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, anti-choice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe.’”
Here is the question- How can I get the bad taste of PF Chang’s out of my head so I can enjoy my sweet and sour chicken again and how do we get the bad taste of Christianity out of the heads of outsiders so they can taste and see that the Lord is good?
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10 comments:
Maybe you can't get your bad experience from eating that particular dish out of your head from PF Changs. Maybe getting over it will have to take you deciding to give another dish a shot. I highly recommend Mongolian beef (incredible). Maybe a new dish will restore your trust and love in PF Changs.
Maybe the same advice can be given to people who have been burned by Christians or churches.
First-you actually have to have relationships with nonchristians. Real relationships...not for the purpose of conversion. Second-let them see what a christian really should look like in you, hopefully that debunks any bad experiences.
I guess that would be the same as trying mongolian beef. Let us be mongolian beef to the world.
kurt
ps. unchristian...awesome book, really impacted my perspective along with Myth.
Cromer- I agree that it requires me/anyone being willing to try. I am not a big beef fan, but I think that I shared the Mongolian beef w/ my sis-in-law once, twas good.
Kurt- I think you reference this book last week, so I thought that you liked it.
It almost blows my mind to think that people really enter into relationships solely for the purpose of "converting" them or getting them to attend church.
As someone with a proclivity for politics what did you think of their chapter on politics?
I thought they threw a soft pitch on the chapter on politics. They simply didn't go far enough....having said that, I think it at least got folks thinking. Nothing like Myth. I was reading unchristian when this friend of mine who just accepted Christ and I went on a "spiritual retreat" a few months ago....long story there....but it did make me appreciate what his hangups with Christianity were.
Regarding politics...I don't know if you've read any of what happened to me politically from my blog......but man, my heart just aches when I see what the church is doing by getting into bed with politicians, mostly republicans-which I am one. She's selling herself and corrupting the image of Christ on earth.
I think if you click on any of the faith or politics posts, especially ones that reference David...you'll see. It was ugly, and it was done by those who profess Christ....and also peddle porn. Hence, our image problem.
maybe this is just a midwest problem.
Kurt- I just read through your older posts titled "Politics." I assume the "David Tree" post revealed the most about your thoughts/experience.
I too agree that the Republican party has done a good job of controlling the "God" card and therefore making many think that Christian=Republican. I think that's the thrust of Wallis' book "God's Politics." I personally don't think either side embodies all of God's politics. And I would hate to connect Kingdom of Heaven directly w/ American politics (though America does do some godly stuff that I am sure God smiles upon but we also do the opposite). I do think that God's politics would focus on (as you say in conclusion to "David...") that its really about helping people- especially the helpless.
I always had a great internal struggle between politics and faith...God used the situation to do a huge work in my life, and as a witness to others.
Not the same man I was. Fringe benefit was that I started lifting to take my head out of what was going on.....25 lbs later-huge for me- & my wife loves the new look.
Focus, focus, focus on seeing people like Christ does and watch what happens around you....instill it in your future family and your congregation. Don't worry about "turning america back to Christ"...just be Christ to others.
but then, you get all this don't you....preaching to the choir
kurt
Yes preaching to the choir, but we all need the reminders.
Lifting is also my stress reliever. The last few months have been stressful for us to w/ a transition which I will post about hopefully soon has lead me to the gym more too.
It's great to see God work through a seemingly bad situation into a gospel experience for others.
Amazing how stress levels are directly related to chest and arm size. Looking forward to your transition story.....transition is happening here too.
Good chatting...have a good weekend brother.
kurt
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