Political Rewind

I'm impressed.....last night's topic probably brought out the most discussion of any of the UnChristian series topics to date.

Is it because we are currently bombarded with politics?

Maybe.

But, I can tell there was some real depth to your concerns involving Christians in the political arena. Yes, we should be involved-but maintaining a witness and our integrity may well cost us. As we hurdle toward election day, the most important thing to remember is to pray for our leaders regardless of who they may be.......that's a Biblical mandate. And we must also understand, according to scripture, that God places people in authority over us.

It's all political.....

Tomorrow night we "dive" into the topic.....are Christians too political? Data from the outside world says that non Christians do believe that we're too political in our agenda/involvement.

What's the right mix? how should a Christian engage in the political process.....in being a part of the leadership of their community in this way?

Let's talk tomorrow night.

it's all fun and games....

tomorrow night-just plain fun. Bring your favorite board game, card game, whatever....it's all fun and games.

IN or OF the world?

As we "dove" into the perception that Christians are sheltered, or out of touch with reality, we needed to take a closer look at how we engage the world around us.

John 17:14-18 says:
I have given and delivered to them Your word and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Separate them for Yourself, make them holy by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.

Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

So, we looked at the difference between being in the world and of the world. As you called out those areas where we were in the world, I asked "what do these have in common"

And someone nailed it...........in each we found a way to build relationships with outsiders, to engage the world and be the salt & light we are called to be in Matthew. With this command, we are still to be set apart.......which is where the "of" comes in........not conceding to peer pressure, not being "of" the negative culture of this world.

Next week we break from UnChristian for a night of fun. Bring your favorite board game and we'll see you then.

Out of touch?

This week's topic is "Sheltered". From the survey in UnChristian, 42% of outsiders believe that Christians are out of touch with reality. 25% of you agreed, a little lower than the national average among Christian youth.....32%.

We're all familiar with the Scripture reference charging us to be "In the world, but not of the world".........so the question is, how do we do that? What does that look like? How do we maintain an effective witness for Christ in the world, without looking like the world? And is that "being sheltered"?

See ya Wednesday.

wow....thanks.

I'm hearing plenty of good feedback from last night's discussion.........I so appreciate everyone's willingness to talk about/be open to the subject of homosexuality, and handle it in a mature way. It became obvious in our group that the perceptions homosexuals have of Christians rings true right here in our community...that we automatically shut them out, or hate them.

So, how do we, as loving agents of our Father deal with this issue? First, see that we are all sinners-and as Billy Grahm said-all in need of God's forgiveness, regardless of associated sin issues. Stepping out and befriending, building relationships and understanding people who struggle with this issue is the only way to overcome the perceptions that Christians hate gays.

And probably disassociating ourselves with those who like to hold signs and yell this.....as Lizziey described.

Next week's topic from UnChristian is........the perception that Christians are sheltered. Are we?

Wednesday's Topic?

Anti-Homosexual.

This should be an interesting discussion. Is the church anti-homosexual? or just anti-the sin? A whopping number of you felt that, yeah, Christians tend to view themselves this way.....but there is a difference between the Biblical stand against the sin of homosexuality and being against people who take part in this sin.

We're called to love, regardless of the sin, and point people toward Jesus. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the subject.

mentoring

The Titus Mentor Model:

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Thanks for so many of you-14-agreeing to pursue this mentorship model with adults in our church. I think that you guys will have a good time. As we pull this together, please don't hesitate to ask me any questions or let me know if things aren't working out!