Concluding a series of posts on the ministry direction for GTBN, let’s consider that last word in the title above, “today”. “We help the church make disciples today.” What’s that about?
I forget how old I’m getting. I have to work at remembering that two of our three children have never known dial phones, life without the Internet, or a day when texting wasn’t their first option for communication. Nor do they remember a time when the norms and values of society generally aligned with those of Christians. Boomers, those who pre-date them, and perhaps the eldest Gen-X’ers do, often describing that era as “the good ol’ days.”
In hindsight, I hope we can all agree that the good ol’ days were not nearly as good as we thought. Sin ran amuck then as surely as it does today. But when most people considered the Judeo-Christian ethic foundational for society and church as a generally positive influence, the work of ministry might not have been easy, but it was comfortable. Since even unbelievers valued much of what Christianity offered, attractional events like VBS, revivals, and “front door” experiences drew many into the church, where they would hear and respond to the gospel.
That was a different time. Don’t misunderstand me. The gospel remains the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. But the culture in which we now carry the gospel is not as welcoming. Not only do the people we’re called to reach no longer share our moral base, they consider it problematic.
For example, Dr. Jim Denison, cultural apologist and Chief Vision Officer of the Denison Forum, explained in this post how the contemporary culture actively opposes Evangelicals whose biblical convictions keep us from endorsing LGBTQ behavior. It’s no longer sufficient to say we disagree and let everyone do what he believes is right. Increasingly, in an age of multiple ideals and value systems, the one system that must be expunged from society is the one that insists God’s way, as historically understood through scripture, is the right way.
Now, this isn’t really news. But here’s the problem. Many Christians act like they still hold cultural favor, or at least, if they just hold their course and remain faithful, the good ol’ days will return. Some trust in politics, hoping that a shift back to the right will restore public favor, paving the way for fruitful ministry. I don’t see this happening.
I’m not a prophet, so don’t go fetch a stone if I am wrong. I pray, and even ache for spiritual awakening, but I see no sign of it coming soon, nor do I see the soul searching and repentance among Christians historically conducive to such. What I do see is as world very much like that of Jesus’ first disciples. And I feel compelled to help our churches practice biblical ministry tactics to engage the secular communities around us today, as opposed to the bible-belt society of yesterday. That’s my mission as your missionary.
Yesterday, the goal in most churches was to disciple Christians so that they love the Lord, live morally upright lives, give regularly, and occasionally serve in one or more church based ministries. Today our goal must be discipling people so deeply rooted in their love for Jesus Christ that they withstand the constant onslaught of secular attack, maintain their faith at the cost of reputation, job, and maybe even life, and extend a winsome witness even to those who attack them.
There is so much to unpack here. Like you, I find myself digging more deeply into scripture and learning from trusted colleagues all I can to be faithful a steward of the opportunity God has given us. Even with what I described here, I see a great day ahead for the church of Jesus Christ. The question is what role we will play in this movement. He wrote it for another context, but Michael W. Smith’s words hold true, “This is our time.” This is the age God has placed us to serve Him. Let’s be faithful and make disciples today.
Bro. Jim