A Different Kind of Conversation

Ever read something or hear something that affirmed exactly what you were thinking/marinating/wrestling over just a few days before?  That happened to me yesterday while reading an article from Dr. Tom Clegg, president of  CoachNet North America in “Neue Quarterly – neueministry.com” concerning the idea of evangelism.

What goes through your head when you hear the word, evangelism? I believe when the average Christ follower hears the word ‘evangelism’ they think – knocking on doors, tracts, stadiums, crappy Christian TV with a shouting embarrassing over zealous preacher, pressure, fear, and annoying.

What if evangelism was simply, another conversation?

No sales pitch, no agenda, no craziness… just another conversation where a follower of Christ mostly just asks questions, listens and reflects back on what they are hearing.  Doesn’t that sounds refreshing and enjoyable for both parties involved?

Dr. Glegg wrote about this very topic saying, “…if we’re sensitive to the needs of others, we can become more life-giving witnesses. Rather than believers directing the conversation to where we want it to go, we can simply listen to how the Holy Spirit is already at work within the person to whom we’re talking.  The resulting conversations are natural and engaging rather than pressured and artificial.“

Sounds like the way that Jesus interacted with people, doesn’t it?

• sinners
• tax collectors
• prostitutes

Jesus engaged them in conversation where they were comfortable and where He did most of the asking and listening.

What if we became a part of other people’s worlds instead of expecting them to become a part of ours – to be an influence without being easily influenced.  More often then not, I believe we will see a whole network of people experiencing the transforming power of the Gospel.

So how do engage in these different kinds of conversations?  I believe it really depends upon the questions we are asking in those conversations (which I will address in my next post).

In the mean time, look for each conversation God brings in your path today and ask, listen and reflect on what was said just as Jesus modeled.

The Nines – 09.09.09

What if you could sit down across your desk with some of the best leaders in today’s church and hear what they would say to you?

That’s the idea behind THE NINES.

THE NINES is a free one-day event that will take place totally on-line. It is designed for all church staff members who want to be motivated and stretched in their leadership.

Leadership Network asked some of the church’s greatest communicators: “If you had nine minutes to talk one-on-one with thousands of church leaders, what is the one thing that you would tell them? The result is a series of passionate and personal messages that will help you and your church navigate into the future.

The format is simple: Nine minute video leadership lessons that can helpmultiply your church’s impact. You will be stretched as a leader, and motivated as a church. And you’ll hear a personal word from many of the leaders you know and trust (along with some great new leaders we’ll introduce you to). It all starts at 9:00 a.m. Central time on 09/09/09.

I’ll tell you how it goes after the event.  Check it out at http://thenines.leadnet.org/ starting at 9am CST

more about “untitled“, posted with vodpod

Book Review – “Drops Like Stars” – Rob Bell

I just finished Rob Bell’s latest coffee table book this evening entitled “Drops Like Stars”.  I found it to be very artistic and unique in form and writing style.  Very much different than his three previous books.  I enjoyed the simplistic nature and story/illustration driven examples that drove home some incredible points and perspectives about suffering and pain in our lives.  Here is a section from the book:

We plot, we plan, we assume things are going to go
A certain way and then they don’t and we find ourselves
In a new place, a place we haven’t been before, a place
We never would have imagined on our own,

And so it was difficult and unexpected and maybe even
Tragic and yet it opened us up and freed us to see
Things in a whole new way

Suffering does that—
It hurts,
But it also creates.

How many of the most significant moments in your
Life came not because it all went right, but because
It all fell apart?

It’s strange how there can be art in the agony…

I know in my own family, the last 3 years have been so difficult – filled with pain and suffering.  But it is in those times that we have grown closer together, learned how to love each other more, been reminded of what we do have and felt God’s presence and power more than ever.  God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

If you are someone who has experienced pain in your life or know someone who has (I think we are all in both those categories) I would highly recommend reading Rob Bell’s “Drop Like Stars”.

For more information on Drop Like Stars and Rob Bell’s Tour Dates check out – https://www.robbell.com/dropslikestars/