Emergence

Since coming to Emergence, I have been turning from being isolated and doctrinally introverted to being missionaly extroverted and excited about community.

Someone who is doctrinally introverted tends to seek knowledge for its own sake instead of actually doing something for God. I still tend to be this way. I would want to “learn all about it” before I went out there.

Something else I was always proud of saying was “I need to learn how to BE before I DO.”

It kind of reminds me of Proverbs 22:13

The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!" .  

Now, I am not talking about being an active student of the Bible and other important timeless books or other media, (I tend to listen to books on CD when I can get them). I understand how important it is to learn and understand God’s word. GODLY MEN can spend  days at a time, cloistered in a room, or in their own head wrapping their mind around an important scripture or principle. In addition we really can’t DO anything unless, by faith, we believe, that we are in Christ and that He is in us and truly believe we can DO NOTHING without Him (that’s the BE before DO). HOWEVER, my problem was/is hiding behind the task of learning. Here is an example of a symptom of being doctrinally introverted:

A trustworthy pastor and leader is very excited about going Christmas caroling and bringing gifts and tracts to the people in the local neighborhood wanting to expose them to people whose lives have been changed by the Christmas story.

The doctrinally introverted and isolated (me) declares quite boldly, “Are we sure of our motives? Are we doing this for the right reason? Shouldn’t we understand who we are trying to reach before going out there?” I confess, these were my very deceptive “safety questions” that I would cling too in order to do the following :

Declare that…

I…

was a really deep person and attempt draw attention to…

MY…

“spirituality” and “discernment” as well as detain us from actually doing anything that might cause me discomfort.

Another example happened pretty recently. Another trustworthy pastor suggested that the small group he was leading would partner with a ministry that feeds the hungry in urban areas.

I heard the question uttered, “Are you sure that they are a “gospel centered organization” and they don’t just feed the hungry, but preach the gospel?” I see that  as someone looking for an out, a “biblically justified” reason not to serve. Even if they don’t “preach the gospel” we can still lift up Christ in serving if we humble ourselves and yield to His leading. If Jesus is there in us, the gospel will be shared, IF we ACT in faith.

I still struggle with fear and insecurity when it comes to sharing my faith with people around me, but because of some recent light in my life, I’m becoming more willing to “be a fool for Christ” knowing that He is in me and wants to use my hands and feet and mouth. I want to let Him. I still love listening to sermons. I’m getting a lot out of The Resurgence.  In addition, I am convinced that fear dissipates when “going out on mission” with those in our gospel community. I don’t have the quote, but I believe CS Lewis made a statement about the power and boldness that comes from doing things together with others. For those looking for some pretty simple, if not totally obvious ways to be on mission in their area of influence, this might be helpful. Missional Living-Simplified