Is Your Use of ‘Christian Lingo’ Keeping People From Understanding You?

Plain speaking……….

The picture above is of a man from a Denver homeless camp. At the end of Sept. and just a few days into October, me, Gretchen and Lars ministered to folks at a homeless camp near Coors stadium, which is located in downtown Denver. Our goal was to share the love of JESUS! We attempted to build bridges of love and trust and let folks know PEOPLE care! We handed out snacks, drinks, and candy!

FGGAM is a ministry that does not know any walls! We walk and travel for Jesus! We have learned so much about sharing JESUS! I see too many Churches that care more about the inside of their Church, like the carpeting, lighting, big screens, more than what is taking place outside of the Church! LOOK OUTSIDE! Homelessness, hunger, drug addiction, addiction to booze, violent crime, poverty, abortions, child abuse….on and on we go! Hello Church????

We are preparing for another trip for JESUS!

This message by Phil Cooke is ‘spot on’ as far as I am concerned. Too many Christians speak to non-believers like they know the Bible, they do not relate to them in the world THEY live in! I have heard it described as ‘Christian legalese’.  When we are out sharing JESUS with the world we attempt to build bridges of love and trust. You cannot speak to folks using terms they do understand. What they do understand is LOVE and CARE.  They want you to be sincere. They know in most cases what is going to come out of your mouth! A Christian ‘sales pitch.’ Ha! Stop speaking over the heads of folks! RELATE WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS! Think Mother Teresa. SHOW THAT YOU CARE! Make your love tangible! Get out of your walls! My goodness!

Here is Phil Cooke’s message:

Phil,

This month, in your newsletter, you mentioned how sometimes we, as Christians, don’t communicate very well with non-believers. Several years ago, my wife and I bought a radio station in a small market in rural Indiana. We decided on a positive country format and included select Christian artists that fit that format. One DJ was given a Christian CD and told to listen to a particular song. In a few minutes, he came out of the studio and announced that it was a gross and disgusting song. We were surprised and asked him why. His statement was, “That song talks about being washed in the blood.”

For us, being active in church all of our lives, that was common church language, but to an unchurched person who took the literal meaning, it was gross. My wife had the chance to explain it to him, but we have used this example many times, trying to get “church” people to see how our familiar use of words is not understood by the world.

More Here

By the way, before I leave you…when is the last time you have picked up folks in your car and taken them to Church?

How many new members has your Church been blessed with this month? This year?

How many baptisims has your Pastor officiated this month?

What does your Church do to reach the lost?

Do you walk the streets of your community and share Jesus?

Dose your Church carry out The Great Commission?

Has your Church become a member of the do-little-sit-more Church?

We have found that MANY who have left the Church, have done so as they see it as ineffective in helping America become a better place to live.

Thom Rainer: Today, there is a trend back to lifestyle and relationship evangelism. Actually that is a trend among those who do evangelism. Most Christians do not share their faith at all. So, I rejoice about those who are intentional about getting to know non-Christians and earning a right to be heard.