Monday, February 26, 2007

Reformission #3: "shotgun weddings to Jesus"

This third chapter in Mark Driscoll’s book, The Radical Reformission, deals with evangelism, particularly as it is changing in a postmodern context. This may not apply to all of us because we’re all part of different sub-cultures, but there’s some interesting food for thought on the direction culture is heading and the ways we may need to think as a church – for the younger people in the present and everyone in the future. Despite the difference in approach Driscoll espouses, he clearly believes people are born into their sinful state and need to repent in submission to Jesus with their lives. Beyond that, it may be considered upside-down in relation to our usual order of operations.

“Reformission” (Driscoll’s term) is based upon relationships through a variety of ministries or individuals in the church. For example, they do things like host concerts for non-Christian bands just to build relationships with the kids who come. Evangelism is built upon relationships. Those who need Jesus tend to say “our church” before “our God” – in Driscoll’s experience. People tend to belong before they believe. In belonging to the church, they see “the natural and practical outworking of the gospel in people’s lives” (p. 69). Christians don’t hide their faith, they live it out authentically, talking about Jesus and praying, opening the door for communication. One woman at Mars Hill Church (Driscoll’s church) asked to host a Bible study in her home with someone else leading, because she knew she wasn’t a Christian, but she loved the people of the church.

Driscoll notes that one of the great things about this kind of “reformission” evangelism is that people are often evangelists, telling their friends and family members what they’re learning about Jesus, before they become believers themselves. And, when someone comes to Jesus in this model, they have cultivated the friendships to “belong” so discipleship will be more likely, and they have their network of friends still in tact that they can continue to reach out and love. People are not encouraged to leave their network of friends unless those friendships are leading them into “habitual sin.”

For this model to work, Christians need to repent of self-righteousness that we might open our community to those who need Jesus and model Christian love among brothers the way we’re supposed to. Our culture is increasingly individualistic, depressed, and lonely. And the gospel offers the hope that pays for our sin to restore our relationship with God and make possible relationships with others.

This time the questions are mine, so blame me, not Driscoll (except the last one!).
  • What kind of relationships do you have with those who don’t know Jesus? Would you consider them friendships?
  • Which of your friends or family members do you think might be interested in checking out your Christian community, whether they’re interested in Jesus or not?
  • Where do you lack the confidence that your community would represent Jesus well to your friends?
  • If community is vital to this kind of evangelism, it is important that it be modeled. Which people have sinned against you most grievously, and how has Jesus enabled you to forgive them? (Be sure to respect anonymity if you post!)

No comments: