One product of having a church that is being “discussed” in York County, (which is a good thing in my opinion…) and a public email address, is that I get email from “helpers” who would like to “debate” what we’re doing…
Here’s the deal. I will gladly answer any question …no matter how strange…someone might have about actionchurch…unless they want to “debate” doctrine or methods. Even though I am choosing not to spend time “argueing” with these people…I am finding the whole experience very valuable. It helps me understand on a personal level what people who are not yet followers of Jesus experience from Christians…here’s some stuff I am learning.
- I know that if I don’t have any sort of relationship with someone…I don’t really care what their opinions of me are…(we should remember that before we try to “share” advice with someone we haven’t take time to know.)
- I know that if even if someone has the best intentions…if it appears that they “just want to be right”…it’s all wrong. (are we ever really going to “argue” someone into following Jesus?)
- I know that people who “assume” they know about me just from how I look or other “external” things…lose their ability to affect me…very quickly.
- We were called to Love people…God’s job is to Judge people and point out their sin (when ever we think our “job” is to judge people and “leave it up to God” to love our neighbors…we are completely backward have little chance of ever “swaying” anyone’s beliefs.)
God hates arrogance more than ignorance…and this ain’t debate team. But, whether they know it or not, I think God is using even our detractors to make us more sensitive to the way people who do not yet follow Jesus have been treated by Christians… Maybe I should send out some “thank you” letters…