Ruth Lin's Blog
Sharing My Faith / 02.03.10, 06:13 PM
I’ve given a lot of thought recently as to how I want my ministry here in Englewood to look. Mission Year emphasizes approaching evangelism through neighborly love (versus techniques, methods, and the beloved blow horn), which I strongly agree with. Yet, while my experience here has been empowering and enriching, I can’t help but wonder how much of an impact I will make on my neighbors while I’m here. The traditional question that follows any missionary endeavor is, “How many souls hast thou saved?” and though I don’t think that question is an adequate tool for measuring “success,” the question still remains: What am I trying to accomplish?
My city director (Shawn) recently led a workshop on “Sharing Your Faith,” which gave me some clarity on the matter. He explained that Christians operate in either one of two paradigms when approaching evangelism: “Heaven/Hell” or “Abundant Life.” In the “Heaven/Hell” paradigm, the focus is on saving souls. The goal is to convince those standing on the side of damnation of their need to cross over to the other side, which guarantees a future in heaven. The “Abundant Life” paradigm, on the other hand, argues that ministry involves the whole person (body, mind, soul, and spirit, not just the soul), because Jesus was concerned with the whole person (John 10:10).
Furthermore, he shared that the Heaven/Hell paradigm leads one to treat evangelism as sales (“I must persuade the lost of their salvation.”), conquest (“The lost need to be saved.”), and manipulation (“I offer friendship to the lost so that they can be converted.”). The Abundant Life paradigm, however, asserts that all of us are on equal footing and that we’re all on a journey that leads us through numerous “conversions” (moments of personal change and redemption). The responsibility for believers, then, is to make disciples, not converts— a call that leads us to influence others (non-believers and believers alike) in the direction of Christ and His Kingdom, as we too are moving in that direction.
I’m still not sure how my ministry will look this upcoming year, but I’m learning to count conversations, not conversions; to share my testimony, not theology; and to listen to learn and speak to inform. I’m learning to invite dialogue and to resist debate, to pray for others and to request for prayer from others! God has been teaching me that the most dramatic expression of the gospel is found in Christ’s friendship with sinners. One of my teammates keenly observed recently that I use the word “friend” carefully and selectively when referring to others.
I realize it’s easy for me to offer my service to others, but friendship on the other hand— well, that’s far more costly. Friendship requires a humble confession that I can learn just as much from the other as he/she can learn from me. But that, I’m learning, is the rhythm of the gospel.
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Very cool! I think you said it much better than I did!
By Shawn Casselberry / Feb 4, 03:20 PM / #
Yeah, I agree with Shawn :) Just kidding. But really, good words Ruth, thanks for being humble and sharing the journey you’re on. Beautiful, keep writing!
By Ashley / Feb 4, 03:56 PM / #