Do Something… How ’bout now?
“Something good is about to happen!”
Those are the words to more than one famous song, and those are the plans that came out of these two days together.
I won’t spill the beans completely – indeed, the plans aren’t yet complete but suffice it to say, a major city in the U.S. will be targeted this summer and about thirty of us will converge there to see what we believe will be some amazing things in the realm of evangelism.
I am not the deepest student of Church history, but I am not unaware of the topic either… I have never heard of a single city being targeted in the evangelistic cross-hairs by thirty veteran, fruitful evangelists for a 10-14 day time frame (at each their own expense!).
This event will certainly stir up positive national, mainstream media attention – to the counter flow of a long, uninterrupted stream of super negative articles on “Tele-evangelist” failures (big difference between ‘tele-evangelists’ and evangelists, btw!).
I am excited about this for many reasons – near the top:
Everyone present agreed we must lead the way here with acts of generosity, kindness, love that are done without strings attached.
One guy from New Zealand stood up at the end with tremors in his voice to say he was recently on a long flight. Out of curiosity, he asked several dozen people on the plane, “Who is the most influential Christian in this generation in your opinion?” He said there were only two people mentioned. Every single non-American replied, “Mother Teresa.” Each said she was one who did what she talked about. Every American replied the same as well – “Billy Graham.” When asked why they said, “He’s a nice guy…” This Kiwi and all non-Americans in the room had a look on their faces like, “Do you Americans get it?” I did – I have lived outside the U.S. for a number of years.
I suspect Billy Graham might well be in the Mother Teresa fan club as well honestly.
Without the integrity of the ‘do’ all the words in the world mean less than nothing. “Why ‘less’ than nothing?”
Because words become a cancer at that point that erodes people’s capacity to believe anything said. Words become a vulnerability that causes others to doubt anything spoken eventually.
It’s first grade all over again, folks. It’s “show and tell” time. First, we show. Then we can tell – actually, we just answer questions.
Hi Steve,
I may not fit in with your usual audience of readers, but I just wanted to write and let you know how much I’ve appreciated this string on evangelism….I’ve been part of a team going into the streets of downtown Cincinnati reaching out to the homeless. With those who live in chronic lonliness and hopelessness, we share Christ’s love, practical gifts and food, prayer, and fellowship. I wrestle with wanting to become more, so that they can see Him, not just the stuff we bring. Your writings help me see- they can see Him in the stuff……”First we show”
I’m convinced that only the Church can breathe life on this segment of society. I am so grateful for all you have taught over the years. I’m certain the Lord wants us outside the four walls of the Church. I believe we’re in this place of transition- it’s like there’s something on the horizon. Please pray for us. The leadership is weary. Apart from Him we can’t do a thing…..
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