Have you ever been to a Christian event like a party or concert and been bored stiff? Have you ever looked around and thought, “What in the world is going on here?” You recognize all the parts of the event — the food, the music, the people, the activities — but the Christian event just seems… odd?
Why is this?
When the Church Follows Worldly Cues
I think part of it is that we are taking our cues from the world.
We look at the world to see what they do for fun, then we take out everything we perceive as “sinful” and then try to do this stripped down version as a “Christian event.” We hope that if we do things that the world enjoys, maybe they will come join us.
These Christianized versions of worldly events are pitiful attempts to attract unbelievers to Christ.
Of course, what we fail to realize, is that for most unbelievers, the things that make the event “fun” are the sinful things we have stripped out — the alcohol, the sexuality, the secular music, and other such elements.
The world is not fooled by Christian attempts to copy the world. They wonder why we even bother.
The choices then are two, and I actually think we see Jesus doing both.
If the Church Can’t Beat Them…
First, rather than compete with the worldly events, we can just join them.
Rather than have our own party, minus the alcohol, sexuality, dancing, and secular music, why not just go attend theirs?
That’s right: Go to the bar. Go to the club. Go hang out where the smoke is thick and the language is course.
Being there doesn’t mean you have to participate in all the activities, and besides, going to where the people are is more incarnational than asking them to come to where you are.
The Church that Leads the World
Second, any Christian events that we host should be in areas where we don’t have to copy the world, but can lead the world.
Our Christian events should focus on issues of justice, compassion, mercy, generosity, kindness, forgiveness, grace, and sacrifice. The world has these things as well, but there is often an element of greed and power mixed in.
So these are the Christian events the church can host, and show the world how to do it right. Of course, we would then have to give up our aspirations for money and power… but that is another topic.
Ha. We just moved into a condo development and we made an effort to meet our new neighbors. One of them invited us over for a “toddy.” (We are in our 50s. They are in their 70s, as are many other of the residents.) So we went over and we found out that some of our neighbors get together on a weekly basis for a drink, mostly Manhattans. Never more than one or two. We’ve now made the “rounds” with them. And so to have them over to our house and be good hosts, we’ve begun researching what it takes to have a successful liquor cabinet and have started “investing.” We’re calling it liquor cabinet evangelism! Because we’re able to have good conversations with these folks over a drink, we’ve found out that we have mutual interests and friends. One incident in particular stood out. While her husband was fixing our Manahattans one time, one of the women, 81, who has health problems, confessed to me that every day she wakes up wondering if this is the day she will die. We were interrupted then but that’s a conversation I want to continue with her.
Dan,
That is great! What creativity and openness to meeting people where they are at. Some Christians would be extremely uncomfortable with the idea of liquor cabinet evangelism, but as you can see, it is enabling other people to open up to you, which allows you in turn to show the love of Jesus to them.
Great job!
I wholeheartedly agree with this advice. I refuse to go to most ‘Christian’ parties precisely because they tend to be whitewashed and boring. And interestingly, I have had some of my most spiritually-infused discussions with non-believers at bars and parties. Breaking out of the clean, Christian world can lead to good thing!
Jeremy, even though in principle I would agree. I think in practice that may not always be possible, I’m thinking of something like a strip club as an example. A Christian should not go there no matter how much witnessing we do.
There are entire ministries whose job it is to do just that. They are aware of the delicacy of the issue.
Tony and JJ,
Yes, I also am aware of many ministries which work in strip clubs and with the women who work there. They are (wisely) mostly run by women. I know many people who minister to street prostitutes.
Such ministries may certain get some flak from some Christians, but then, Jesus got flak for hanging out with tax collectors and prostitutes…
I think it is a great Idea for some Christians to enter areas which are traditionally places to be shunned as long as they use the model of sending people out in at a minimum of twos. I don’t think many of the people trapped in these lifestyles are about to a chritianized event, maybe I’m wrong…but my experience is they end up being gatherings for the church and not outreaches. I don’t want to be at these events, so why would they?
Right. I agree. The people in those places are not about to come to a Christian event. Of course, I strongly discourage Christians who attend “secular” events from trying to do any evangelizing or witnessing at such events. The primary/initial goal for going is simply to have fund and build relationships.