05-10-2018, 04:30 PM
There are churches out there where we can actually survive and, oh how I hate this term "make a difference" . I'm fortunate enough to be a member of one. Is it a model of what we would like to see? No it's a western church, but there are a few who I'm making some progress with. They may not be aware of it but their fruit is beginning to ripen. Perhaps it's because I've been there so long. Perhaps it's because we are small but, mainly it's a foundation built by our Pastor Emeritus who for 49 years created a most non dogmatic atmosphere. I've never been hounded for skipping or pressured to believe anything but that with which I am comfortable.
I had a discussion with a lady a couple of months ago about being led "by the HS through the convictions of your heart instead of the cognitive reasoning of a fallen mind". I quote because I rehearsed the line to reach a westernized Christian. She disagreed with me, I said "Go to your OT, it's chock full of what I'm saying" . I thought I'd lost and chalked another one up for experience. She must have went to her OT because, it's two months later and I have a new ally.
My point is this; we are missionaries in a strange land and have to reach people where they're at. We have to communicate in their tongue to teach them something new, just like the Apostles did. My church is my first missionary journey. I'm convinced there are churches we can work in and if it doesn't we can follow Christ's admonition and wipe the dust from our feet and move on. This thing of ours has to move into the real world.
I had a discussion with a lady a couple of months ago about being led "by the HS through the convictions of your heart instead of the cognitive reasoning of a fallen mind". I quote because I rehearsed the line to reach a westernized Christian. She disagreed with me, I said "Go to your OT, it's chock full of what I'm saying" . I thought I'd lost and chalked another one up for experience. She must have went to her OT because, it's two months later and I have a new ally.
My point is this; we are missionaries in a strange land and have to reach people where they're at. We have to communicate in their tongue to teach them something new, just like the Apostles did. My church is my first missionary journey. I'm convinced there are churches we can work in and if it doesn't we can follow Christ's admonition and wipe the dust from our feet and move on. This thing of ours has to move into the real world.