Wednesday, March 12, 2014

It's Not (Mainly) About You

"...evangelism is not ultimately focused on or about the potential convert. Indeed the irony is that much seeker-sensitive evangelism and worship is about making the seeker the focus of attention : everything is designed or adjusted or aligned to make it so palatable for the seeker that he or she would come back next week.

"Is it any wonder that the fruit of this kind of evangelism frequently is church members who assume they are and should be the focus of attention? Should we not from the very beginning indicate that it is not about them? It is not about any of us.

"When we gather for worship, Christ Jesus is the passion and focus of our commitment and adoration. In mission, our commitment is to witness in word and deed to the reign of Christ. And evangelism is about learning that it is all about Christ. You are welcome to join us in worship and in mission, but only if you can appreciate that it is not about you. You are not the focus or the prime concern of this exercise. You are welcome to join us, but without any illusions or missing the point that this is all about Jesus."

-- Gordon T. Smith, "Called to Be Saints: An Invitation to Christian Maturity" (Kindle Locations 842-849). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition. 

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