If you’re going to be good at fishing, you’ve got to learn to think like a fish. If you’re going to be an effective fisher of men, you’ve got to think like a lost person. Here’s the problem. Unfortunately, the longer you are a Christian, the less you think like an unbeliever. I don’t think like a non-Christian; I think like a Christian. In fact, I think like a pastor. That’s even worse! It’s two generations removed from the people I want to reach.
You can tell just how differently pastors think than lost people when you look at church advertisements in the newspaper. You’ll see advertisements like, “Preaching the inspired, inerrant Word of God.” Who will that appeal to? I know what the inspired, inerrant Word of God is. In fact I believe in it. I’d die for the inspired, inerrant Word. But non-Christians don’t care about your view of inspiration.
Or you’ll see a church advertise “Holy Spirit services.” That’s going to scare people away! Non-Christians don’t know what you mean by the Holy Spirit. Is that Casper the Friendly Ghost? You must learn to think – and communicate – like a non-believer if you are going to communicate the Gospel to them.
To catch fish, you’ve got to know their habits, their preferences, and their feeding patterns. Certain fish like smooth water. Others are bottom crawlers. Some like rushing water. Others hide under rocks. You’ve got to know what the fish you’re trying to reach like to do. If you’re going to understand and reach non-Christians, you’ve got to begin with their mindset.
The Bible says in Luke 6, “Jesus knew what they were thinking” (GW). In fact, multiple times in Scripture we read that Jesus knew what the people whom he was ministering to were thinking. Jesus gives us a great example of someone thinking like a fish.
Jesus says in Matthew 10:16, “I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Jesus is saying we need to be strategic. Think about who you are trying to reach before you try to do evangelism. Unfortunately, we often fulfill only the second half of that verse. We’re harmless as doves, but not as wise as serpents.
If I went overseas as a missionary, I could have all of my doctrine right – be totally scriptural, I could have the truth that could change lives, but I’d still have to learn the language.
That’s true even in the country where we grew up. You have to learn the language of the unbeliever. They don’t talk in religious terms. I often hear about how resistant people are to the Gospel. But I don’t think that’s true. They’re not resistant. They’re just on a different wavelength.
About 20 to 30 years ago in the United States, CB radios were big. And people would communicate through these radios on different wavebands. I could have the best message in the world and if I’m on channel 4 and you’re on channel 8, it won’t get through. I’ve got to get on your channel.
I’ve got to speak your language. I don’t expect you to speak my language as a Christian. I have to learn to speak your language. That’s called love. That’s called caring enough about people and not letting the method prevent the message from getting through. You’ve got to start where people are. Continue >>
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Yes, it would be nice to have more Christians tend to each other on a personal level, rather than preaching a "common enemy to unite against," but keeping personally emotionally detached from their immediate community. I think any large faith group has some problems along those lines.
Wow, I don't think I could stand that for very long, either.I use to be very legalistic myself, so my hope is that she will come out of that like I did.I can't stand legalism now because I saw how hateful I was.It is the opposite of Jesus.Anyway, I will pray about that whole situation.Thanks for your time.You have helped me see that there is a need for us as Christians to reach out to the wounded.I hope it starts with me!!
Thank you, GE. If you could add to that, a swift end to his bitter, ongoing divorce (court date is in November). One of the issues is that she's become one of those fire/brimstone fundamentalists and they can no longer live under the same roof. He's tired of being told what constitutes a "good Christian."
Well said.I couldn't agree more.Thanks for the discussion.I am already praying for your brother-in-law.You can be assured that he is not alone.There are others who love God, but are disillusioned with the state of the church in America today.
Thanks, GE. I'm glad to see a Christian understand that there are flaws in the system, so to speak, as to how Christianity is being presented in some arenas. It's really a fine faith when the spirituality is not tainted by the almighty $$.
What can I say? Amen!
He needs to be built up, not torn down.What a concept!! Encourage one another is what the writer of Hebrews said for believers to do(Hebrews 3:13).Thanks again for reminding me of this important truth.
Quite frankly, GE, he's getting tired of being "preached down to." The pastors all seem to focus on what's wrong with everyone, in between the many reminders that the collection plate is not filling up to expections. What he'd really like is a place where there's less emphasis on $$ and sin, and more emphasis on Jesus' teachings and hope.
WT, tell your brother-in-law he is in my prayers.I can certainly identify with where he is coming from and I guess that's why I have a heart for people who have been hurt by the church.It has taken me several years to get back to where I am going to services on a regular basis.The last thing he needs is someone preaching to him about not going to church enough.It won't work for him any more than it would have for me.My hope is that he finds refuge in the Lord, and if God uses Joel Osteen to help him through this, then that is great.Thanks for sharing that!!!
GoldenEagle: "I went through two church splits within a ten year period.I can certainly see how a person can get fed up with church politics:
That's a problem my BIL (brother-in-law) is having right now. He's a committed Christian, but getting very disillusioned with church politics. Currently, he doesn't belong to a church, but listens to Joel Osteen.
I went through two church splits within a ten year period.I can certainly see how a person can get fed up with church politics.Good dialogue by all of you.Thanks!!
prodriver: "Yes, it is always sad when people leave churches they belonged to, because they don´t feel "comfortable" as they used to. Its the same with our church. But this is why there´s a variety of churches around. Things, times and people change."
In my case, it wasn't just one particular church that I left. I had issues with the entire "earthly church."
RBB: "I wouldn't mind at all if you left a comment on my profile....you can do that? I'm still trying to navigate the new site. I'm not very good with technology :) My son will tell you I'm a tecnoweenie."
Done! Bnet has always been a bit squirrely on navigation. Let me know if you have trouble finding anything.
Yes, it is always sad when people leave churches they belonged to, because they don´t feel "comfortable" as they used to. Its the same with our church. But this is why there´s a variety of churches around. Things, times and people change.
The way I see it there are only three things that need to be respcted when "designing" services.
A) God, for it´s through and for him what we do
B) People that are already attending the church, they need to be involved when changing things and methods as far as possible
C) the times we live in, this brings attention to where the church is heading, it should never stand still, but live in a permanent act of change, for this preserves argues of how we do things most of the time.
If people are used to changes and improvement and especially are integrated in this permament process, they feel much more comfortable with the whole process. This was neglected in many many churches and this is part of why Rick is so right with his book, in my eyes.
People are too settled to old things, fell aslepp with their eyes closed to their own dayly living and the lives of the unsaved. His book opend my eyes to my own part of the church, what do I expect, what do I invest, why do I go there, why don´t I invited all and all of my friends, what is Gods plan?
Especially the "friends" question showed me, that I accepted and supported things on Sundays, that I reject on mondays. Starting with music........
And by the way, no church is perfect, not Saddleback, not yours and especially not the one I attend :o)
prodriver - Your church sounds wonderful. I wish I could visit. Your concentration on the Bible and checking everything you do against what God says is wonderful.
I personally love both the old hymns and contemporary worship music. It would be my wish to see churches that want to bring in the contemporary, also retain the old hymns for those to who they give comfort. There is a need to take into consideration the spiritual welfare of those who already attend a church along with wanting to bring others to Christ.
I belonged to church that went seeker sensitive. I was not the leader, but I did love that church. It's lost many, many members in the last few years because of the problems that switching over caused.
I agree that small groups are good, no matter what size church you go to, or if you are seeker sensitive or not. It helps people get to know other members in a way they can't with a larger group. They can really be there for each other and bear each others burdens.