Why are you bothered to be a christian (if you are)? Or does evangelism like charity start at home…
17 Feb 2007
The above clip is of English commedian Catherine Tate. The catch phrase of her charecter Lauren, ‘am i bovvered,’ seems to capture ‘the whatever’ spirit of our generation in the same way the Henry Enfield’s character ‘loadsamoney‘ captured the spirit at the end of the 80s.
I have been thinking about this and what it might mean for evangelism/mission in our culture. In a western world which can’t be bothered maybe there is something powerful in knowing why we are bothered to be a christian and being able to demonstrate that by living out what we believe?
So let me explore this Q with you over the rest of this post: why are you bothered being a christian?
Are you bothered that nearly 2/3 of the current world’s population [cf some 4bn] are not christians – in traditional christian thinking that is an aweful lot of people who aren’t going to heaven?
The methods of modernity used those who are bothered to try and change these numbers often seem to me to presupose christianity is right and everyone else is wrong. In other words you need to be a christian to have the truth and we are the only ones with the truth so you need to listen [a very much them and us mentality]. For example, we concluded if people knew more of the basic truths [Alpha] or were scared more [if you died tonight where would you be going?] more pople would become christians?
However if the answer to those modern approaches is ‘am i bovvered’ or ‘whatever’ maybe we need to rethink them? Do you think that is fair? Does that matter? Does that bother you? How else could we, as christians, behave/act/communicate?
I’m thinking on my blog about this whole subject of why would anyone would be bothered to follow Jesus and therefore be bothered about anyone else becoming a follower of Jesus to – or in old money how should we bother about evangelism and other religions/beliefs/faiths? To help me in my thinking I’d really love your help please in answering 3 simple Qs. I’m interested in your thoughts/feelings/experiences on:
1.why are you bothered to be a christian, or why are you not bothered?
2. If you are a christian what does that mean to you [what difference does it make, some recent examples would be great, etc]? And
3.What do you do as a christian to make anyone else want to be one [NB: not what you think should be done or what you would like to do]? If you’re not a christian what advice would you give here? [practical examples would be great!]…
There are no right or wrong answers. This isn’t a test. What ever you think/feel in response to these Qs would be great and I’d love to hear your honest view[s]…
Thank you very much! i’ll play to and leave my answers in the comments section…
Tagged: Evangelism, Mission
3 comments
Trackback
Comment by Paul
12.47 pm on 17 Feb 2007
ok me thoughts…
1) why i bother being a christian, i loved the stories of Jesus i read as a kid and just love the love, kindness, compassion and passion it showed. I want that and realise that i am not good at being good by myself. I find christianity is a hope for a better world – i guess i’m learning i need help and at the same time can do things to help…
2. practical differnece – helps me stay married, gives me support, prayer, encouragement not to give in to my selfish impulses when life is hard, helps me change from being sexually self obsessed, offers me a different rhythm than just me me me – and is helping me learn how to be giving…
3. what i do – hmmm not a lot. i give money to church. i serve in church. I try and be friends with the neighbours and there for my friends who aren’t christians. Daniel is being dedicated soon so we have invited all our friends to come along whether they are christian or not. i guess i try and be humble and listen to people rather than expect them to listen to me – although i pretty self opinionated so that doesn’t always work…
Comment by Helen
2.22 pm on 17 Feb 2007
I like people – I think that’s why I bother about what I bother about.
I’m not into labels; I’m not sure what I am – well, a human being. I’ll go with that ;-)
Comment by Bryan Riley
2.53 pm on 17 Feb 2007
When I first became a follower of Jesus it was because I wanted a daddy. I needed a real fathering presence in my life. It bothered me not to have that. That was very real when I was an 8-10 year old.
I have continued to be bothered by the real sense that when I make life all about me me is all I get. And, I long for relationship with others. When I make life about God relationship ensues.
Practically speaking what this means is a heart that serves and loves God and others is a heart that makes a difference beyond oneself. The best way to serve is by using the passions and gifts God has given us. Showing others that they can invest their gifts with purpose–the mission of God–can be intense!
What bothers people today? Those that let themselves be bothered see environmental concerns, injustice, war, etc. Well, Jesus has answers for all of those nagging issues, and, each individual has gifts that can be used in opposition to the negatives. Of course, many do take up the fight against such problems without Jesus… so, a question I have is how to help people see a difference between just battling social issues and battling those issues on behalf of God.
Comments are now closed.