Simplicity
“Simplicity is the heart of the universe.” A quote that is credited to the ancient Christian mystics.
Do you believe it?
Reggie McNeil shared this with those of us at Faith Lift in the Twin Cities these past few days. He was making the point that “church people” (his words) make it do difficult for people to get to church.
We place unscalable obstacles in front of a culture that desperately needs the blessing and touch of God.
We make going to church about going to church instead of treating as a connecting space. Airports make a miserable destination. Just ask anyone who has had to spend the night in one. But airports are crucial in getting people to where they want to go. Try walking to Maui!
Reggie made the point that the Christian life is a very simple one. We are to be “the blessing people.” Isn’t that a great job description? We simply need to be about blessing those around us, letting the Spirit of God that lives inside of us guide us.
That’s terribly refreshing.
We don’t have to worry about “closing the deal” in our evangelistic efforts. We don’t have to make sure people know the four (or is it five?) spiritual laws. We don’t have to fret if people in our lives seem cold to the Gospel. And for God’s sake, we don’t need to draw the bridge diagram. For anyone. Ever.
It’s God’s mission. Not ours. He’s at work all over, in every nook and cranny of the world. In all of the people we know. Our job is simply to meet him in that work.
Simple.
Does this resonate with you? Why or why not?
I'm left asking “How?” Did he give you tactical examples how to live out the simplicity vision of connecting people?
He gave examples from him life and a good place to get your feet wet, bless those in the service industry your waitperson or the person you see behind the counter multiple times a week. This is the “how”of his talk as it filtered through my mental framework – to say that is the beauty of God, the “how” is God the great unchanging universal spirit person “I AM” expressing himself “Love” in myriad and myriad of forms of sons and daughters all unique. He as you and He as me, for me most often, doing my job as an electrician joyfully with occasional opportunities to speak a word of faith into the lives of others, or online like this or waiting in line somewhere. The point is You are free to be yourself.
Simple as that.
I enjoyed Reggie's talks, however, I wonder if his simplistic approach – blessing people – really makes Christians relevant to the world in a meaningful way. Asking people “how can I ask God to bless you today”? may spark conversation with people and lift their spirits, however, it falls short in impacting the Kingdom in meaningful, transformative ways.
Does this mean that I won't have people knocking on my door trying to inform me of god's wonderful gift?
Or my taxes supporting religious activities? Or that zealots will stop trying to pervert or infiltrate the law for their own cause?
Are you saying that god is so good at his job that no-one needs to try to assist him?
Could I ultimately charge you with assault if you 'bless' me vocally?
Some practical examples I remember:
-Asking servers “how can I pray for God to bless you to-day?”
-Getting involved with local schools, providing food to low-income kids with no strings attached.
-Building relationships for the sole purpose of getting to know a person … Not a project.
I should get you my notes. I'll send them to-day.
Dscplmkr …. Were you at the conference? If so, want to compare notes?
Amy … Did the “leg of the race” analogy resonate with you at all? That's how I answer this question. We each have “legs of the race” to run when it comes to evangelism. One may plant a seed, the other water it, etc.
Does this mean that I won't have people knocking on my door trying to inform me of god's wonderful gift?
-Not sure what you mean by this.
Or my taxes supporting religious activities? Or that zealots will stop trying to pervert or infiltrate the law for their own cause?
-No.
Are you saying that god is so good at his job that no-one needs to try to assist him?
-No. I don't think so. Am I? Is that what you took away from this post?
Could I ultimately charge you with assault if you 'bless' me vocally?
-Now why would you want to do that?
Something that I think we need to keep in mind is that Reggie uses this same message (“be the blessing people”) at multiple conferences for a reason. I was looking around at some of the stuff he has been publishing, and he is really pushing back on a particular evangelistic tradition and mindset that doesn't emphasize who we are as much as it does what we know or do. I think what Reggie is pushing for is a new conceptualization of evangelism where we evangelize by BEING who we ARE (sorry i don't know how to make italics). We are the people of God, indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, so that we might witness to and embody the Kingdom of God.
There are at least two religious groups who regularly knock on my door with propaganda and a desire to 'bring god's word to me'.
Why should my taxes support something I don't believe in? Will you support my true dedication to motorcycle racing? The founding fathers and the constitution preclude religion from state functions and activities.
'It’s God’s mission. Not ours. He’s at work all over, in every nook and cranny of the world.' – this is what made me think that.
'…a culture that desperately needs the blessing…' – opinion. I do not wish to have your beliefs foisted upon me. But no, I really don't want to charge you with assault. But how much freedom to impact on me do you think that gives you?
Papa God, I ask in the name of Jesus that You bless Rebecca with freedom from religious zealots as well as our nation, that she will even see them make an effort to avoid her this week. Amen Now charge me
. . . problem, T-shirt guy
'… how much freedom to impact on me do you think that gives you?' – you're safe so far Alan
and with that I can take it up a notch – Papa wants to take His precious daughter the races.
That better be AMA, MotoGP or WSB races, otherwise you can forget it!
we are not begging here so you choose.
MotoGP – just so long as you do not intend to proselytize, otherwise forget it.
God already told me he is going to do both and it's not going to change the way you believe, but he loves you that much, the impression I got was if you gathered all the waters of the earth together His love for you is even greater than that. Enjoy the MotoGP post us some pictures.
Papa God, I ask in the name of Jesus that You bless Rebecca with freedom from religious zealots as well as our nation, that she will even see them make an effort to avoid her this week. Amen Now charge me
'… how much freedom to impact on me do you think that gives you?' – you're safe so far Alan
and with that I can take it up a notch – Papa wants to take His precious daughter the races.
That better be AMA, MotoGP or WSB races, otherwise you can forget it!
we are not begging here so you choose.
MotoGP – just so long as you do not intend to proselytize, otherwise forget it.
God already told me he is going to do both and it's not going to change the way you believe, but he loves you that much, the impression I got was if you gathered all the waters of the earth together His love for you is even greater than that. Enjoy the MotoGP post us some pictures.