Today’s post is a synchroblog. Meaning, I want you to answer a specific question on your own blog (for those of you who blog).
If you don’t have a blog, just put your answer in the comments section here. (If you subscribe by email, don’t click Reply and answer. No one will see it. You have to comment on the blog itself.)
Please don’t use Facebook in place of your blog as it doesn’t count. But feel free to click the Facebook button (or link) below to share the post with others.
Here is how it works. Read carefully.
1. At the end of this post, I will put forth a scenario that represents more people than you might imagine. The scenario will end with a question.
2. You’ll copy and post the scenario and the question on your blog. The scenario includes a clickable (hyperlink) to this blog post. Be sure that the link is clickable on your blog after you copy and paste it over. So test it out.
3. You will then answer the question on your blog.
4. In the comments section here, copy and paste your answer. Also include a link to your blog post.
5. Write your blog post sometime between today, July 9th and Thursday, July 12th.
The problem I’m posting about faces hundreds of thousands of people today. So we want practical and realistic answers. I look forward to the wisdom that you will offer us.
Update: I was planning on selecting five comments to highlight, but underestimated how many people would respond and how many comments I’d like. So I find it too difficult to extract five from the batch. All the comments will remain so future readers can view them as well as click on the various blog links.
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Here’s the scenario followed by the question:
— begin copy and paste for bloggers
The following exercise is from the synchroblog at http://frankviola.org/2012/07/09/gospelforthemiddle
Fielding Melish and his wife Felicia have two children, ages 10 and 6. They live in a very remote part of Maine, USA. They are surrounded by extended family, none of whom are Christians. The nearest churches are one hour away, and by all evangelical standards, none of them are good. These churches are either highly legalistic, highly libertine, or just flat-out flaky.
One of Fielding’s cousins is a practicing Christian. They see each other once a year. Fielding’s cousin has shared Christ with Fielding many times over the years. Whenever they’ve talked about spiritual things, Fielding shows interest.
Felicia grew up in a Christian home. She’s received Christ, but she isn’t evangelistic and is overwhelmed with working long hours and raising two small children. She would love to find a church nearby for the spiritual support and instruction, but none exist.
Fielding has no college education. While he is capable of reading, he is not a reader. He doesn’t use the Web either. He’s a man who works with his hands, both for his career and for recreation. He’s an “outdoorsman.” He hunts, he builds, he does manual labor, etc. In his spare time, he helps his elderly parents with various building projects.
Fielding is not an atheist. Neither is he an agnostic. He believes in God. He believes Jesus is the Savior of the world who died for our sins and rose again from the dead. He hasn’t fully surrendered his life to Christ, but he is not sure what that looks like exactly. His children know a little about the Lord, mostly because of what their mother has taught them.
Recently Fielding asked this question:
When I’m with my cousin once a year, I want to learn more about God. But when I come back home, and I’m around everyone else, my mind is off of God, and I am back to working, raising my kids, and helping my parents. Someone needs to come up with a solution for people like me . . . people who are in the middle. (By “in the middle,” Fielding means someone who believes in Jesus, but who isn’t fully absorbed in the faith yet either. They simply don’t know enough nor do they have any spiritual support system around them.)
Relocating is not an option for Fielding and his wife. Even if they wanted to relocate, they don’t see a way they could do it financially.
Remember: Fielding and his wife don’t personally know any Christians. None of their extended family or coworkers are believers either. And the nearest churches (which are an hour away) aren’t recommended.
Question: If you were Fielding’s cousin, how would you instruct him and his wife the next time you saw them?
— end copy and paste for bloggers
Related:
Rethinking How We Present the Gospel
Rethinking the Sinner’s Prayer
Ed Stetzer Interview: God’s Grand Mission
Ohh my turn, my turn. No, seriously, I didn’t get to see this blog entry till today so I’m a bit late to the party.
I’m thinking about what I would do if I was Fielding’s cousin. I somehow doubt I would move to live with Fielding’s family unless there was a super compelling reason to do so and there probably isn’t. So, I would analyze the situation as to what this family needs, and how that can be met within the limitations of their individual likes/dislikes and spiritual maturity.
The first thing that comes to mind is that Fielding doesn’t like to read…so I would ask him – do you spend a lot of time driving to work or driving places to hunt, etc? Is your car equipped with a CD player or an aux-in for an MP3 player? Do you have an MP3 player? Depending on Fielding’s answers, I’d probably start sending him care packages of Audible books on various spiritual topics of interest to his current relationship with Christ…
I’d either burn the Audible books to CD’s and send him lots of CD’s, or I’d buy a cheap MP3 player that handles Audible well and load it up with books and send it to him. I’d find an easy-to-understand Audible Bible and put that on there too.
I’d send him a starter package of various Christian music CD’s too (older CD’s are usually about $1.50 used) – various genres and artists, and check with him a few weeks after I sent it to him to learn which CD’s he liked and didn’t like, and get a feel for which types of Christian music he tolerated well and/or enjoyed – and then send him a whole additional package based on his own recommendations to me, this time with more current and slightly more expensive music. I would ask the wife too if she would like some Christian books on CD for her car, and if she had any christian music to listen to. I might not send these particular items through the mail, but go visit them and show them how to operate the MP3 player if I went that route, or give them the books on tape/CD in person.
I’d ask if the family has a VHS player. The reason I’d ask about VHS is because a) VHS tapes are super cheap to buy so I could send them a heapload of VHS tapes (Veggie tales, kids praise, etc) for their kids and b) VHS tapes are easier for very young children to use without adult assistance. I’d send them a huge package of used kids VHS tapes about the Bible and Jesus, and send them a cheap VHS player in the package with wires for hookup, in the package.)
One of the reasons for this is because kids often prompt adults to think more about spiritual things. As well as starting to give the kids some spiritual material to consider, adults are often much more edified by kids’ spiritual material than they think they would be and end up watching it with their kids, and kids asking spiritual questions often prompts their parents to seek out spiritual answers.
I would send children’s books about spiritual topics to their kids as well. Even parents that don’t like to read often will sit down and read books to their children, if the books are already in the house and they don’t have to go to a library to get them. Getting their kids a “Children’s Bible” can get the whole family reading a Bible when the parents might otherwise never have opened up a Bible.
I would send a few decent spiritually-themed movies to the parents on DVD too – like the Jesus movie, and well-produced cartoons like the Prince of Egypt.
I would space out my gifts over a few months so as not to overwhelm them all at once, but also to keep the gifts coming in fresh, interesting ways.
I would send them CD’s and DVD’s from various ministries that do a good job producing such things, making sure not to inundate them with a particular topic that might get old. I would avoid teachers that can be hard on the ears to listen to (for instance, I know someone who absolutely can’t tolerate listening to a Mike Bickle sermon not because they don’t like his teaching, but because he screams his sermons and it grates on this person’s nerves to listen to him.) I would get a feel for what they like or don’t like in everything I send them – are they put to sleep by docile speakers, or annoyed by screaming speakers? I would figure it out and tailor my presentations accordingly.
And I would call regularly – not so regularly as to be annoying, but maybe ever two to three weeks – and I would just chat with the husband and wife, seeking to engage them in various conversations about their relationship with the Lord and even MY relationship with the Lord on an ongoing basis. Perhaps I’d even get them involved in some sort of online face-to-face google+ chat for fellowship with other believers I know on a regular ongoing basis.
Eventually – hopefully – this family would grow spiritually hungry and engaged enough with the Lord that they either would be able to start gathering people into their home for their own fellowship, or more likely, eventually get to the place where they’d be eager to move to be closer to a community of believers. Until then, phone, skype, CD’s, DVD’s, books on CD/MP3 player, and spiritually oriented gifts for their children would be what I would go with.
This is a great question and I have to disagree with Miguel on the word “instruct.” It reminds me of Priscilla “instructing” Apollos on the way of the Lord more perfectly and Paul used it a lot to refer to bringing believers to maturity, so it’s the perfect word to use in this situation. Amazing how people bring their baggage to legitimate words.
The cousin clearly has a passion for Jesus and a caring heart or else he wouldn’t have asked you this great question to you Frank.
Your book From Eternity to Here and Jesus Manifesto and Epic JEsus were life changing for me so I would encourage the cousin to take excerpts from it and share it with Fielding in letter form probably. The cousin could also give him the audios to hear if that works better.
Love your blog!
First, thanks Frank, for posing the question and the opportunity for us to share our thoughts.
Fielding and Felicia’s challenge isn’t uncommon. Many people simply find it impossible to connect with others who are on a journey of faith that is authentic and relevant. But the fact that there are so many in this predicament also presents a possible answer to Fielding and Felicia’s problem
Frank, you’ve written and spoken extensively about the exodus of Believers from the traditional church. There are countless growing, thriving Christians who are seeking community and true fellowship outside the four walls of church buildings. Perhaps this is why most of the churches in the area have become what they are. Those who have remained are doing so simply out of obligation or religion, rather than for the community that are souls long for.
I would suggest to Fielding’s cousin that he doing the following:
Pray – I know this may sound like a “Jesus Juke”, but the reality is this: God knows that He has those in the area who are walking in true community with each other and in fellowship with Him. Fielding’s cousin probably thinks a lot like Elijah did – that there is no one that is following God in that area. But God still revealed to Elijah that there were 7,000 in Israel who had not yet given up. I’m willing to bet that there are some in Fielding and Felicia’s area who are the same. Only God can reveal that to Fielding’s cousin.
Encourage – Fielding’s cousin should also take it upon himself to enter into more of a consistent spiritual mentoring relationship with Fielding. Once a year or so when the get together in person isn’t cutting it. The next time that they come together and have a discussion about spiritual things Fielding’s cousin should capitalize on the moment, and ask Fielding if they can take the relationship a step deeper, with regular communication and accountability.
Enlist – As Fielding’s cousin prays and mentors Fielding, he should also be seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to connect him with those in Fielding’s area who are walking in true community and fellowship. When those connections are revealed, Fielding’s cousin should enlist them to also take Fielding and Felicia in, so that they are able to begin to experience the spiritually vibrant community they desperately need.
There really isn’t any “easy answer” to this predicament, but things of value rarely come through those types of answers.
http://davidsjesse.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/gospel-for-the-middle-frank-viola/
I was once just like Fielding. I believed in God and knew of His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, but that belief did not penetrate every area of my life.
I knew ABOUT God, but I did not know God. I knew ABOUT Jesus, but I did not know Jesus. That was until God used the words of a close friend of mine to reveal Himself to me. Jesus Christ was transformed from a religious figure in my mind to a living, breathing person who desired involvement in every facet of my being.
When Jesus walked the earth, some two thousand years ago, he healed the sick and broken. Those who were healed, and those who witnessed His power, were given a testimony. Many believers were made by this testimony alone. During my visit with Fielding and Felicia I would first share my personal testimony. I would have to tell them of the Jesus that I know. The Jesus who healed me, and who saved me. The Jesus who is my rock and my strength. The Jesus who is my rest when I am tired.
I would pray before, during, and after our visit that God would open the eyes of Fielding and Felicia. And that he would give them a fresh view of Jesus Christ.
I would also instruct them on possible ways in which they could spiritually support and encourage each other, since they would not have an outside group of believers for support.
Finally, I would leave them with audio recordings of solid, non-legalistic and non-libertine, biblical teaching to instruct them. And of course, I would leave the phone line open to be there for any support or encouragement they would need.
This is a situation that many people are in. Even those who attend traditional Church. As I did, they may know the story and all of the facts, but until there is a face to face encounter with the Creator of the Universe, it’s rather difficult to give our lives to Him.
I do not believe that there is a step-by-step way of making sold-out followers of Christ. Or that we really have any control in the matter. But I do believe that if we would heed to God’s leading, he would use us to reach and equip those who are without Christ.
Here is the link to my blog:
This is a VERY new blog, so please check it out:
http://jesuschristasheis.blogspot.com/2012/07/gospel-for-middle.html
In summary, I would respond with five things:
1. Tell Fielding that even though there aren’t other Christians around him, God Himself is near
2. Encourage Fielding to ask God to show Himself in the course of everyday life
3. Try to talk on the phone more and serve as a temporary substitute for other believers
4. Preach Christ! I speak more of God in my letter because that’s how Fielding refers to Him. But God has a name—it’s Jesus Christ!
5. Encourage Fielding to include His wife and children in all of this
This scenario excites me. A fresh slate to begin teaching about God’s love, his ways and his word. I see three maybe four steps that can be engaged to help Fielding and his family.
* If I were Fielding’s cousin, I would address Fielding’ desire to learn more first. We could build our relationship and interact through skype mentoring and/or video teaching at least once a week.
* Through the ongoing discussion, I’d bring Fielding to a decision point. I’d ask if he was ready to be fully engaged with God by talking with him and ingesting his Word (audio Bible). Based upon Fielding’s description, I believe he would want to make that decision if I helped him along.
* After he affirmed that personal decision in prayer, I’d begin to include his family in some of the video teachings. Let’s call this a personal house church with a distant pastor.
* With much prayer and God’s timing, Fielding would grow confident enough to invite others into the house gathering so others can learn as well. At this point it might be considered a house church where Bible reading and discussion could take place.
More at http://robinbryce.com/2012/07/11/teachaboutgod/
My blog post is http://www.christianawake.com/2012/07/12/helping-fielding-melish-a-challenge-from-frank-viola/
My answer:
The real issue is that these people suffer from what many, many Americans suffer from concerning their religion. Let me explain. The heart of the problem is that for whatever reason Christianity has become more about holding correct beliefs than about developing a personal relationship with Christ—specifically, a discipleship relationship with Christ. When I say discipleship I don’t mean a group that you sign up for for three months to keep you accountable about your sin life. What I mean is the foundational definition of discipleship to Jesus Christ, which looks just like it did in the first century—mainly, a disciple adhering himself to a master teacher in order to learn everything the teacher has to teach so he can become as much like him as possible. (See “In the Dust of the Rabbi” at my blog.)
At first glance it appears the problem in the above scenario is that the Melishs live in a remote location with no Christian connections. But this is not really the problem. It never is. The root problem is what kind of foundation was laid for these people in their Christian conversion that set the stage for their Christian lives. From what we know of Fielding, it appears he has no real foundation except that he believes in God and Jesus; it appears he may or may not have actually received Christ for salvation; but he has no discipleship foundation whatsoever. He has a mental assent to the truth but it is not mature. From what we know of his wife, she is a believer who is solid on Jesus as Savior but seems to be deficient in understanding Jesus’ call to discipleship in her personal life. I am not “judging” her, but the facts given in the scenario reveal this to be true, though there is no place to doubt her sincerity and love for God. She is just deficient in understanding and therefore life practice of discipleship. She is doing the best she can with what she understands.
Because there is a difference between professing belief in Jesus as the Savior of the world and learning and growing in what it means to follow him as his disciple, Fielding and his wife suffer from what I call the “discipleship deficiency”—where the focus of Christianity becomes mostly about having the right beliefs versus understanding that God has called us into relationship with him, and specifically, a discipleship relationship with Jesus Christ (see “What Is the Discipleship Deficiency?” at my blog). This happens when the Christian conversion foundation lacks its two necessary pillars: 1. the belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and 2. the call of discipleship to Jesus Christ. Biblical conversion to Christianity does not only include receiving salvation, but also entering into a discipleship relationship with Jesus as the Master, or Rabbi. (See “Three Ways to Understand Conversion” at my blog.)
Fielding does not have a proper Christian foundation, though he believes Jesus is who he said he is. His wife has half of a biblical conversion foundation properly laid in that she appears solid on receiving Jesus Christ and salvation though she is weak on discipleship. Only when the proper foundation is laid will Fielding’s and his wife’s situation change. This is the heart of the matter. This is why church becomes a thing you go to rather than who you are.
So, if I am Fielding’s cousin, the next time we meet I am going to lay a biblical conversion foundation in his life through Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I am going make sure he gets founded on Jesus Christ as Savior and Master, or Lord. I am going to help him put it into practice (through ongoing phone conversations, etc). When Fielding responds to this teaching, he will not only have received Christ and salvation, but will have entered into a discipleship relationship with Jesus. This changes the entire path of Fielding’s life, and his family also, and his relationships, and his town…. The answer is in the seed planted in the Melish’s hearts.
Concerning Fielding’s reading level, if you tell a man his only source of food comes from what he tends from the ground, his farming skills are going to get really good really quickly. Same with spiritual growth concerning Bible study and prayer. He will grow and mature spiritually. He will follow Jesus and grow as a fisher of men. God will move in this man’s and his family’s situation. As far as the remote location and lack of Christian relationships–watch what God will do in the life of a connected believer. The remote local is not the issue. A proper conversion foundation including salvation and discipleship is the beginning of the answer, and the willingness to own walking after Jesus.
I would suggest FIelding’s cousin and his wife should formulate a plan to disciple Fielding and his wife:
Write letters to Fielding and his wife, sharing scripture and encouraging them in their walk with Christ – much as Paul the apostle did.
Encourage Fielding and his wife to listen to sermons on tape/CD by trustworthy people.
Call Fielding and his wife on the phone regularly and sharing Christ.
Pray about find more times per year to visit.
Pray about whether God would have them relocate to where Fielding lives.
Pray God raise up a man to evangelize and disciple people in that area.
oh, the link to my copy of your blog entry is: http://wbmoore.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/6083/
In thinking about the question posed after the scenario, I must admit that I don’t particularly like it. Perhaps it’s the word “instruct.” Fielding’s cousin seems like a likable fellow with good intentions, but a bit short in the solution department. Granted he may not be the sort that views his cousin as a project to be completed, or even a problem to be solved, but still, it seems that he’s not putting forth the effort equal to the task.
If I were Fielding’s cousin, I wouldn’t “instruct” them in any particular way, I would craft the following plan:
I would share the story of Fielding and his family with others within the body of Christ. Like Paul who mentioned the setting aside of money for others within the body, I would ask that others set aside some time. In case you’re wondering, I’m not referring to tithing financially, but temporally. Perhaps I could encourage others to tithe some time to Fielding directly. Go and work with him, hunt with him, and help him help his parents with those building projects. Simply put, some intentional life sharing. Fielding needs some people to be all things to all people so that he might be won. Given the boundaries of the scenario and question, this approach makes most “sense” to me. Actually, I’m almost certain that this would work because I’ve done it with people like Fielding in real life. These Middle Earthers need earthly (not worldly) folk to come along side them in their context, speak their language, sing their songs, and play their games.
Finally, If I were Fielding’s cousin, I’d hope that the Lord instruct and convict me to live a little more sent or missional. But, that’s just me.
Here is a link to my blog: http://wp.me/p1JPJU-L0
http://dmeans.blogspot.com/2012/07/escaping-thorns.html
Mark 4:3,7-9: The sower went out to sow; as he was sowing …{some} seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” And He was saying, “ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
It’s all up to You
In all honesty, there is nothing that anyone can create to help people who are looking for things to do (other than changing their behaviors) to build and strengthen their relationship with God. Relationship with and thirst for God is not found through traditions, programs, churches, pastors or teachers. Those things may be helpful in supplementing our pre-existing relationship with God, but it is our desire, our seeking that fulfills the need.
It can be likened to a woman finding a man she loves and wants to marry, but then finding that she also adores his family. So she ends up spending all of her time with his family, listening to his father and mother speaking wonderful things about her husband-to-be, all the while wondering, “why is my relationship with the man I love, suffering? I’m learning about him, I’m understanding things about him, I love him, but his relationship to me and my relationship to him are practically non-existent.” What did she do wrong? She applied an inappropriate focus. There were many things his family could teach her about her husband-to-be, but it was the relationship that suffered because she refused to seek after him and, instead, sought after something related to him.
Seeking follows Drawing
Jesus said, “and I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” (John 12:32) Did Jesus mean that the crucifixion would draw men, or was He speaking of His intention to draw all men? I believe He was speaking of His intention to draw all men:
So also it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living soul.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 15:45-46)
So, the drawing of the life-giving spirit happens in the natural first. Once we are aware of a drawing, we then may seek after it – which means we “do something.” Conversely, when we do something without His drawing, then we are answering a calling from the flesh, or better, the spirit of man.
Doing vs. Seeking
We have been continually, repeatedly, ad-nauseum taught to “do” things for God. Doing in and of itself is not wrong – it is how we teach children – but the Scriptures teach us to be seekers. And I do not mean “Seeker” in the man-made traditional sense, but a Seeker in the Biblical sense. Consider Psalm 1:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Where does a person walk? Towards that thing which they seek. Why would a person obtain counsel? Because they seek wisdom. Why do we stand in or walk in a path? Because we seek the destination to which it leads. Seeking is our first step, which is followed by doing. A person who is tired of doing has been doing for the sake of doing. It is most likely they never attempted to seek first the Lord. There is a difference in seeking the Lord for the sake of seeking the Lord – it being the end its self, and seeking God for the purpose of asking Him, “what do I do?” We do and do and do but with the wrong fuel to power the engine. Seeking the Lord for the relationship with the Lord is the fuel, seeking Him moves us towards the Drawer of all men, Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
In the end, you must determine for your self: do I know Him? If the answer is yes, then you need to answer the next question: why do I let the cares of the world choke out His drawing of me towards Him? Once you’ve either answered that question, or accepted that it is the truth of your existence, then you have a decision to make. Are you going to continue life in the weeds, or are you going to make time to seek after God?
There are a lot of ways to seek after God – the Bible is full of them, but the Psalms are a good place to start. The Psalms reflect the hearts of those seeking after God through their fears, their hurts and their joys. They also make for incredible discussion material with God. For example,
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “ I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32)
In essence, the Lord has given us conversational material to use in building our relationship with Him.
If you don’t like to read, then I would suggest that you listen instead. One of the best auditory versions of the Bible is the KJV by Alexander Scourby. The KJV may be difficult for some to read, but Alexander Scourby makes the KJV extremely accessible and easily understood.
Deuteronomy 4:5-6a, 9: See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes … Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons
Psalm 119:2-3: How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Hebrews 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
http://churchjumper.com/2012/07/09/frank-viola-christian-blog-christian-author/
Responding as Fielding’s Cousin:
Fieldings… Do you remember a popular book that came out a few years ago called Purpose Driven Life? It really swept the nation. It was written to be read over the course of 40 days. The author called it a 40-day spiritual journey written for Americans who wonder, “What on earth am I here for?”
What do you think about you and me going on a 40-day spiritual journey of our own? I understand where you are at in life — I don’t know everything because I’m not you, but I can understand some of the stresses you feel and want to understand more about you if you feel comfortable enough to share with me.
It makes me so happy that you are interested in talking about Christ with me when we are together. But when we are not together, are there times you feel alone in life? I know Felicia is overwhelmed. Are there times when you want to help her but don’t know how? Do these life obstacles leave you wondering, “What is my purpose on earth? Why am I here?”
If I tell you that you are here because Christ loves you and has a plan for you, can you accept that? It’s true. And if you don’t believe me now, that’s okay… because Christ loves you so much that he will show you how much you matter to him. All you need to do for this to happen is be open to him.
So let’s go on a 40-day spiritual adventure together, you and me. We’ll walk towards God step by step and chances are, when he sees us coming, he’ll run our way. Here’s what I propose:
Day 1-7: Keep a Post-it note in your workshop. Put one word on the note. “Jesus.” Whenever you see that note, clear your mind and read it, to yourself or aloud.
Day 8-15: Continue to say the name of Jesus each day when you look at the Post-it. In addition, mention one thing you are grateful for and, also, one life burden that is bringing you down. (Be grateful for a new thing everyday. Your burden may stay the same.)
Day 16-23: What kind of music do you like? I’m going to make you a CD of my favorite Christian artists that agree with your tastes. Play this music for at least an hour each day while you are working. Have it on as background noise.
Day 24-31: I’m also going to create a CD of sermons that I liked and related to. Will you consider attentively listening to a 30 minute sermon each day while you work?
Day 32-39: Can you find 15 minutes in your schedule to call me each day? I’d like to share what I read during my quite time that day. Then, you can ask me any questions you have and we can talk about whatever is on your mind.
Day 40: Don’t work. Don’t read the Post-it, or listen to music, or sermons. Don’t call me. Instead, do something that gives you joy and is outside your normal surroundings. Go for a hike, or a long drive. Take your family on a picnic. Whatever you do, throughout the day, be conscious to think about God. Let’s talk the next day. Day 41. Or maybe, if you feel comfortable, it will be day 1 of your new perspective on life.
What do you think about this, Feildings? Are you interested in going on this 40-day spiritual journey with me?
Wow! I’m looking forward to reading all the answers (which I’ve intentionally chosen to avoid until I do this).
My answer, posted at http://conthis.blogspot.com/2012/07/gospel-for-middle-synchroblog.html
Before I answer, I have to make a few assumptions here (since I’m an engineer, I have to list them):
• By “extended family,” I assume Fielding’s cousin is not among them, though his parents presumably are. The cousin isn’t close enough to see the Melish family more often than once a year.
• Fielding doesn’t use the Web, and may resist using the Web.
OK, with that, here’s how I’d see the conversation between Fielding and his cousin going:
Cousin: You know, Fielding, I’ve been thinking a lot about something you said last time. You said you and Felicia would love to find a church in your area.
Fielding: Yeah, but you seem to like any of them near us. (laughing) Seriously, I see why you don’t. Felicia isn’t too thrilled with that idea, either.
Cousin: From what you’ve said about them, I don’t really think they’d do you much good. I know you don’t like the Internet…
Fielding: No way! Besides, our computer is so old, I don’t think anything new would work on it.
Cousin: It might, but you’re probably right. All the churches I can think of use stuff that your old machine won’t run well, if at all. They block folks like you who don’t want to upgrade, or can’t afford to.
Fielding: Yeah, have you seen the prices for the new models?
Cousin: Too often. But, hey, you can play CDs and DVDs on something, right?
Fielding: Well, yeah, but it’s hard to watch a DVD while I’m out in the workshop.
Cousin: How about an audio CD? Like an audio book?
Fielding: I don’t know. It can get pretty noisy when I’m out there, although I guess I could crank the volume up a bit.
Cousin: Here’s what I’m thinking. Our little church doesn’t record their services yet, but I’m thinking about asking them if they would let me do it. I’d like to tap into their sound board directly, but something with a microphone would work, too. I could record the pastor’s message each week, burn them onto a CD, and mail them to you for you to hear.
Fielding: That’s a little impersonal, isn’t it? I mean, what if I’ve got a question about what he says? Or what if I don’t agree with something he says?
Cousin: That’s a good point. Maybe you could write them down and mail them to me, or to my pastor, if he’s willing?
Fielding: I’d rather ask you. I don’t mean any offense to your pastor, but I don’t know him. You know I don’t have a college education, either. I wouldn’t want to look stupid to him.
Cousin: You wouldn’t, but I understand.
Fielding: The big problem is having the time to do all that. I’m so busy with Mom and Pop sometimes that I don’t even have time to be in my workshop. I guess I could listen to the CD in my car, but if the road’s noisy, or the kids are, I wouldn’t be able to pay attention.
Cousin: True. Some of the roads you have to take require undivided attention. How about you and Felicia take an hour once a week, like you would if you were in a nearby church, and listen to the CD?
Fielding: That would take care of that problem. I guess we could carve out some time like that. I could also watch some of those television preachers.
Cousin: Um, not all of them are that great. I can give you some suggestions for those to watch for, and those to watch out for.
For the record, this isn’t how my mother and I have handled it. God found us outside of a church setting (or, rather, in spite of a church setting), and that was that. She learned how to get by without any substantial “support system,” while God provided several through halfway-decent churches, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in college, and so forth. The area where we were all “born and raised,” though, sounds too much like the Maine setting of this scenario. Mom had tried to get a home study led by a Calvary Chapel pastor from 60 miles away, but there wasn’t enough local interest to make it worth his trip.
Posted on my blog here: http://www.davidscurious.com/2012/07/a-gospel-for-the-middle/
Fielding’s situation is pretty bleak, and apparently very common.
I think the first question is “what does God want to do?” I would start praying, and getting my brothers and sisters praying, seeking God for His will, and asking for God to reveal Himself to Fielding. I’ve learned that doing things my way or through my own power or ideas–”putting my hand to it”–brings about death. (2 Samuel 6:6-7)
Fielding says that he ‘believes in Jesus’, but he’s also not completely surrendered his life to Christ. He doesn’t even know what that would look like. That belief is merely a mental assent, not an active discipleship. This makes me doubt that he’s ever really encountered Jesus Christ.
He says he wants to know more about God when he’s with his cousin, so he seems to be drawn to the living Word of God, Jesus Christ, that dwells in his cousin.
I believe that Word is what Fielding needs. We can have all the ideas that we want, and try doing all kinds of things, but until the Word of God comes to him, nothing else really matters. He needs Jesus. If I were Fielding’s cousin my goal would be to show him Christ every chance I had (of course, that should be our goal for anybody and any situation).
How do we show Christ to others? We let Him live through us. And not just individually, but through the corporate Body of Christ! I would Fielding and his family to come visit us. We live in community with a church, and he would be able to see Christ living in a body of believers in a real and tangible way–”Come and see.” (John 1:38, 46). If Fielding is truly desiring God, the result of that time experiencing God in a corporate body would be a much greater hunger on his part for God and for fellowship. If he couldn’t come visit us, I imagine I would look into going there, and try taking some brothers and sisters with me.
But God has to show us what to do, and how to do it. I believe that He delights in revealing Jesus Christ to people, and if we will completely give ourselves to Christ unreservedly and lift Him up, he’ll draw all men to Himself. But we have to work with God, not against, or outside, of Him.
For example, look at Acts 3, where Peter heals the lame begger. How many times do you think Peter had passed that very same begger before? And think about how many other beggers and afflicted there were. But that man was the one who God wanted to touch at that moment. It says in verse 4,
But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”
Those men were always looking for what God was doing.
I would really want to know how serious Fielding is. If he’s just ‘interested’, I think we should be praying and give God time to work with him and show him his need for God, and looking to see if we’re supposed to be part of the answer to that prayer.
If he’s seriously longing for God, though, like one of those who go along weeping, looking for the Lord God and the way to Zion (Jeremiah 50:4-5), then he needs to know that the wilderness is not the habitation that he’s intended for, and he doesn’t have to be alone. There is a promised land, and we’ll do everything we can to help him find his way, whether that means sending folks there, or finding a way through God’s provision for him to relocate. Sometimes God has His people in the wilderness, but it is to prepare them for the promised land–that’s not where they’re supposed to stay.
Fielding needs to have believers around him. It was never the intent of God to have isolated believers trying to survive. That’s the situation that he’s in right now, and it’s not bearing good fruit; he’s floundering, unable to totally give his life over to God. He needs brothers and sisters around him to encourage and exhort him, and to demonstrate what it even looks like to live completely given to God.
I think it would be important to somehow spend more time with Fielding, trying to arrange living with him or nearby for an extended period of time to disciple him, and seeing if God wants to raise up a church in his area by drawing anyone else. Again, this is dependent on how serious he is. You can’t force people to follow God.
But if God doesn’t bless that, the truth is that unless he gets some type of community around him, he’ll most likely not survive spiritually. Either somebody needs to locate to where he is, or he needs to relocate. Having other folks become believers in the area would be wonderful and necessary, but if Fielding is himself a new believer, and other new believers join with him, then it seems necessary that they have someone mature to come alongside them to help.
Fielding sees his situation as impossible. But that’s really just a natural perspective. In a spiritual viewpoint, nothing is impossible. If you had asked any of those Jews before they heard Peter’s first message in Acts 2 what they thought about relocating to Jerusalem and living with a bunch of people that they either had never met or didn’t know well indefinitely, they would have thought that was simply ludicrous. It wasn’t even an option or possibility to them; there wasn’t even a reason to think about it. But when they encountered the Word of God, through Peter, it completely changed everything.
Nothing is more important than finding and being with God and partaking in the fellowship of Christ in his Body, including jobs, houses, possessions, and even family. It’s why the Church lived the way they did in Acts–they found something which eclipsed everything else. *That’s* what Fielding needs; to experience Christ in that way. The revelation of Christ puts everything in a completely new (and it’s proper) perspective.
The revelation of Christ and His Body destroys individual living.
Posted at http://joshualeehenry.com/
My Instruction:
As Fielding’s Cousin, I would first commit daily to praying for him and his family to grow in Jesus more and I would let them know of my prayers. I would earnestly pray that Fielding accepts Christ so that he could led his kids, family, and neighbors to Christ as well.
Secondly, since Felicia is a believer she has the Lord’s Spirit in her and He is working. Though she may not be “evangelistic” God leads people to Himself. If Fielding believes God and is searching, but has not “fully surrendered”, the Spirit will open conversation between Felicia and Fielding as they discuss issues of faith. I would encourage Fielding to talk about Jesus with Felicia the way him and I do.
Sounds like Fielding is there, just hasn’t realized the intimacy of Jesus as Savior and Redeemer from personal and original sin. Hopefully the faith discussions with Felicia will present a repentance decision for Fielding to accept and acknowledge Jesus as his and the creation’s Savior and King. Perhaps Fielding already has and just hasn’t realized it. If not, no worries, the Spirit will continue to lead Fielding through a spiritual pilgrimage of processing along with his wife as they seek Christ together. I am confident Fielding will receive Christ soon. It is clear Jesus is knocking at the door of Fielding’s heart and Fielding seems to have his grip on the handle ready to let Christ in.
Whether while still seeking or once surrendered, I would instruct Fielding to discuss faith with his elderly parents while doing building projects. It is also very important that Fielding and his wife share what they do know of Jesus’ love with their kids. Since they are on the path of believe in Jesus, the Spirit will help them surrender to believing Jesus. With the Holy Spirit alive and active in Felicia, God has given them All the Power/Love/Truth they need to start living in, by, and through Jesus Christ. The Spirit will use her to help bring Fielding to faith. Again, she may not be evangelistic, but the Spirit is and Fielding is in the cross-heirs of Christ. (I would explain that play on words in detail as well, describing what Jesus’ atoning work on the cross meant and how we become children and coheirs in the Kingdom).
I would explain that with the Spirit, the excuse that “they simply don’t know enough nor do they have any spiritual support system around them”, is just that, an excuse. I would serve as a support system in any way possible. Frequent phone calls and increased visits would result.
I would strongly encourage Fielding to pray. It’s ok if he doesn’t know what to pray for or “how” to pray I would reassure him that the Lord will guide him. Then I would ask him to read the Lords Payer in Matthew 6 with me, to discover Jesus’ intimacy with the Father as he taught the disciples how to pray. I would then give Fielding a Bible translation that was comfortable for him and his family to understand, ensuring they had a copy of the Scriptures to learn from. I would offer a printed, digital, and audio version, as well as a children’s picture Bible for the Kids to have.
Fielding could read the Lord’s Prayer together with his wife and kids, in turn teaching his family how to pray together. Also, I would tell him of Romans 8:26-27:
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with growing too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Since Fielding is not a reader, I would suggest his wife, Felicia begin reading the Gospels aloud to him together with their children, and if possible Fielding’s parents if they are receptive to participating, as well as anyone esle. Perhaps Felicia could even help the kids learn to read by reading the Bible together. The family then could work their way through the New Testament and back through the Old Testament, as the Spirit leads them.
Since as Fielding’s Christian cousin, I would be sharing what Jesus was doing in my life during my time with him, I would be giving Fielding an example how to share Jesus with his family when he is at home raising Kids and helping his parents. I would explain to Fielding that these are perfect opportunities to share what he does know of God from experiences and how the Spirit is growing Fielding in the s formation process. Through my discipleship, I would be modeling for Fielding and Felicia a way to disciple their family and neighbors.
Fielding can share what God is revealing to him through his prayer life and as he lives and works together with his family. I would remind Fielding that like himself, Jesus was also a carpenter by trade and worked with his hands most of his life. I would tell Fielding how Jesus would often get up early and retreat to be with the Father alone in the wilderness. I would draw the parallels between Fielding’s work with the life patterns of Jesus. I would explain that not having a college education (or seminary for that matter) is not a barrier to sharing faith. I would tell him how several of the disciples were simple fishermen yet they “turned the world upside down” (cf. Acts 15:6). Fielding doesn’t have to have it “all figured out” before he can share what he knows of Jesus. He just needs to begin sharing.
Fielding and Felicia do not know any Christians… yet. As they are working out their faith, I would encourage them to share what they are experiencing and what God is revealing to them with their non-Christian relatives and co-workers. There is power in the living testimony of God’s grace and love. By relationally giving a witness of how God is transforming them, others will want to learn about God and seek Jesus from Fielding and his family the same way Fielding wants to know more about God when he is with his Christian cousin.
I would remind Fielding of Ephesians 5:22-6:4 and Colossians 3:18-21. Fielding and his marriage to Felicia is a great loving and covenantal metaphor for Jesus and his Bride the Church. I would also inspire him with the Old Testament heroes of faith Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua, who led their families in the service of the Lord.
Instead of relocating to find a church, Fielding and Felicia should take the time to be with God and allow Christ to birth a new ecclesia through them. It will take time and Fielding needs to submit fully to Christ first and receive the Spirit. But New Testament churches were left in the hands of new believers to mature on their own under the headship of Christ and through the Spirit’s workings. Surely in a remote part of Maine there is a river nearby. I would encourage him that when the time came for Fielding and anyone else to be baptized, I would make the trip to help them in the public profession of faith together. A new faith community will begin to form organically through their relationships and networks.
My Answer: http://www.beingfilled.com/2012/07/gospel-for-middle.html
First, as Fielding’s cousin, I would be praying.
* I would ask God for personal direction.
* I would ask God to help Fielding understand and seek after the truth.
* I would ask God to help Felicia know how to teach her children and raise them properly.
* I would ask God to help her be bold in witnessing to others.
* I would ask God to show them any other believers who may live nearby and if necessary to bring other believers to their area.
* I would ask God if I should personally be doing more, even being willing to move there myself should that be God’s will.
Upon again seeing Fielding and Felecia, I would encourage them to continue seeking God.
* I would instruct them from the Bible as much as possible during the time I had with them.
* I would give them a Bible in an easy-to-read translation.
* I would urge them to pray to God and ask for his intervention.
* I would remind them that the church is not a building, meeting, or sermon, but the people of God.
* I would suggest that they actively seek out other believers with whom they could meet. Perhaps they could place an ad in the classifieds or put flyers on bulletin boards.
But that’s a whole lot of “I would’s.” We must ultimately rest in the fact that God is in control and that it is Jesus who builds his church, not us (Matthew 16:18). While we need to be ready and willing to be used by God, we must leave it up to him to show us how. Keep praying, and trust him to provide.
To me the question revolves around Fielding’s interest and what is meant by “believe.”
If Fielding is really interested, then the cousin can keep talking to him when he’s gone. If Fielding’s belief is simply the acceptance of ideas, then he has to come to a place of trusting in Jesus.
If it means he does trust Jesus with his life, then he’s an infant Christian who needs to grow.
Either way it’s up to his interest to want more. The cousin can just make himself available, pray, and that’s really it. I don’t think he should be forceful though. What makes this hard is that there are no Christians or churches around him and that he doesn’t read. That’s an uphill battle.
I have been thinking and praying for this man…the fact that he likes the outdoors is great because that’s where he can see God’s handywork all around him….I love nature, birds and animals and that’s when my mind clears and I appreciate and think about life and what Jesus has done for me.
So, if i was his cousin, I would give him a bottle with 365 verses each on a folded paper….ask him to make an outdoors container ( a beautiful one !),perhaps the family could help…each day pick a paper out the bottle,read it…they could take turns, take it outside and “post” it back to God with thanks.God’s word is so powerful and wonderful..maybe this could help! thank you Rose Strydom
Brother Frank Viola mentions in his post on this subject, that this scenario effects hundreds of thousands Americans in today’s society. Sadly, this is most likely an understatement. Our nation is facing a very serious crisis on this issue. When we look at a situation like this, our gut impulse is to come up with a top five list of things that can be done. While there is nothing wrong with this type of thinking, I see this impulse type thinking , to find a solution, is just as much a part of the problem, rather than the solution. We as a body of Christ (myself included on this one), have sometimes taken for granted that it is God who solves these issues through us, and not our elegantly drafted five point sermon or blog.
The answer to this question is actually quite simple, yet often overlooked. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. I believe God put Fielding’s cousin in his life for this purpose. To farfetched you say, perhaps; yet who are we to try to understand God, but rather be obedient and respond to Him when he puts a call on our hearts. This is what is happening in this scenario and with thousands of others as well. Fielding’s cousin (who was not given a name, so we will call him Bob for simplicity’s sake), is being given a call right now. Bob is being given a call to rise up out of his comfort zone; and to start to, in Spirit and truth, to live the Word of God in his life. This friends, is the mission field of America.
First, Bob must seek God in prayer, and even fasting, to make sure he is not trying to do this on his own. Matthew 26:41 (ESV) Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Our spirit is indeed willing, yet all too often, our flesh is weak. If Bob could have handled this issue with his flesh, there would be no issue. This we know, is not the case. All too often we attempt to do good works out of our faith and forget to ask God, or draw on the power of His Holy Spirit to work through us in our good works. For we may humble ourselves and let God be seen, and not us. If Bob is full of His Spirit, the anointing of God will pass on to Fielding, and his family as well.
Secondly, Bob needs to consult with his home church; most likely the Pastor and Elders, for prayer, support, and ways to share the Good News with Fielding without overloading him or pushing him away. Acts 13:2-3 (ESV) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Pastors and leaders, this is our part to lead and teach our flock the importance of prayer, fasting, and providing that protective prayer covering; just like Moses did for Joshua in the battle with the Amelek (Exodus 17:8-16) All of this is most likely out of Bob’s comfort zone, he will be tempted to quit and give up, he will feel at times like he is getting nowhere, and perhaps even feel he is unqualified to answer this call from God. We must, brothers and sisters, hold our hands up in prayer, and support the Bob’s out in the world today. When the hands of Moses fell, the battle began to be lost; so goes it today, with all those who are on the front lines, seeking God to help the lost find Jesus. We must keep our hands raised in prayer for the Bob’s in our churches.
With God working in and through Bob, the church coming together to pray over and for Bob, Fielding, and Fielding’s family; there is only one thing left to do. Bob now needs to draw on the boldness of God, finding courage within him, to follow through and find a way to have contact with Fielding at least once a week for a minimum of an hour. Bob will need to be creative. The most obvious avenue is by computer. Skype is a wonderful tool, and it is free. Bob can also take time to send daily messages via email, as well as other resources too. But what if Fielding cannot afford internet, or has no desire to work a computer? Bob must go outside of the box, perhaps talking on the phone once a week. Texting a daily scripture, and even mailing resources for Bob, his wife, and for the children. Bob must draw from the Holy Spirit for creativeness and for endurance. God may move on Fielding right away or it may take time for his heart to be in the right place for him and his family to accept Jesus fully in their lives. Then, after they do accept Jesus fully, there is the ongoing commitment to keeping them strong in Christ , and to help them grow spiritually.
If each of us, were to become a Bob, and do these things to reach out to the Fielding’s in our lives; we would see the spark of a Revival in this nation. Over time, the body of Christ would continue to grow, and be strong by the blood of Jesus Christ. We would be living the Word of God in our lives, truly sharing His Good News. Are you ready to take the step Bob took? Are you willing to truly surrender your life to Christ, and answer that call God has put on your heart for your lost family member, or neighbor. Please take this to the Lord in prayer, meditate on it, and just rest in His presence. He will guide you, and direct you. He will call you; all we have to do is listen.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV) Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
http://www.revdforster.blog.com
My response is based on the following assumptions:
1) Given that they only see each other once a year Fielding’s cousin must live too far away to lead Fielding and Felicia in a learning about God time in Fielding’s home or neighborhood; otherwise, that would play a major part of my response.
2) The scenario described does not say there are no other Christians or like-minded people around, it merely says that the churches that are an hour away are not reliable, and that Fielding doesn’t know any Christians.
3) By pointing to the absence of suitable churches nearby and to Fielding not knowing any Christians the scenario described affirms that people who want to learn about God actually do so best within a community of believers. In fact, community is the best way for all of us to learn more about God.
4) Even though Fielding does not appear to be willing to take full ownership for coming up with a solution for people like him we can and should assume that he is willing to play a role in that solution; otherwise, nothing will happen. Given her background, and having taught their children about God, we can assume that Felicia is also willing to play a role in their search to learn more about God.
5) I, as the cousin, knowing Fielding’s situation and being a practicing Christian, we should assume I am willing to make some type of effort in this adventure, even if there is a significant distant issue.
The next time I see Fielding and Felicia I sit down with them and present the following plan:
I talk to them about what it means to be in this middle place. We acknowledge that they can only get beyond it by learning more about Jesus and what it really means to follow him in today’s world. I get them to a place where they enthusiastically confirm that they want to move forward with learning more about Jesus. I get them to agree to go on an adventure by talking about how this desire they have to get closer to Jesus is all part of a much bigger story. I acknowledge that their particular story has challenges to it, but it’s not a story without hope, in fact it has much hope. We paint a picture of what this story might look like one day. We paint a vision of a group of people loving Jesus and serving the community in selfless ways.
I get them to understand that the key is to get them within a small community of like-minded people who also want to go on this adventure. The key now is to develop that group, and this is the biggest challenge. I help them understand that their own family, and I at a distance, might just be the group for a while.
I commit to work with them to try and find people within a 30 minute driving radius of their home to be part of their adventure. I explain to them that it won’t be easy, that they’ll have to do some work. I’ll let them know that it will be important if they can come to a place, sooner rather than later, where they feel comfortable enough to ask for God’s guidance through prayer as the adventure moves forward. Some things they try might not work, or might be discouraging, but they must be willing to persevere. I reach out to my own extended community of believers to see if they have any contacts in Fielding and Felicia’s area that might be willing to embark on this journey too.
I do my best to help Fielding and Felicia understand that the important part is to commit to the adventure and to be flexible as they move forward. I let them know that I’m willing to commit to spend a week or so with them to kind of get this adventure going, and that I’ll keep in regular contact with them by phone. I’ll lead them through a couple of learning or study nights as we learn the story of Jesus. We’ll do some basic Christianity 101 type stuff, some understanding of Jesus call on us to follow him and be missional in responding to his call on our lives.
We’ll spend time that week brainstorming how they might find like-minded people in their community, and this could be as simple as gently letting others know about their adventure, people like their family, neighbors, and co-workers. The ideas might range from placing ads in the local paper saying they’re looking to launch a small adventure group to learn more about Jesus, to handing out flyers in their area and placing them on various community announcement boards. I’ll remind them that this is where prayer and perseverance come in. They might even start the adventure by asking people to join them in doing some type of work in the community where people put a little elbow grease to work, some hands on work that Fielding feels comfortable with.
I would let them know that I can’t promise how all of this will work out but I’ll do my best to support them on this adventure. I’ll try and supply as many learning resources as possible and encourage them on their journey, but that ultimately they will have to be intentional about their journey and be committed to it. As time progresses and they learn more about Jesus their thirst to learn more might just get them beyond some of the barriers that Fielding currently has in place, such as his lack of interest in reading and using the internet.
There are a lot of exciting things in this adventure such as involving the children, serving the community, especially by letting Fielding use his hands, and being willing to take risks, developing relationships in the community, but at the core of the success of the adventure is God’s promise to honor those who search for him, in particular by letting us know Jesus, and by being Jesus incarnate.
http://www.jonstallings.com/2012/07/10/the-gospel-for-the-middle/
Here are a few of my thoughts:
My initial thought is that Fielding and Felicia would make wonderful house church planters in the future. However, my main goal is to provide the support the Melishes need to build a strong and healthy personal relationship with Jesus.
Prior to our next meeting I would spend time in prayer and fasting. I really do not have anything to offer my cousin that would bring about lasting change. Only Jesus can do that. I would ask for the Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of Fielding and Felicia.
At my next meeting with Fielding, I would tell him my own salvation story. Hopefully that would open the door for Fielding to begin to see Jesus as his personal savior, and not just the savior of the world. I would then teach them how to pray, keeping it simple and very conversational. I would demonstrate by praying with them. I would then encourage Fielding and Felicia to begin praying with each other regularly and to include the children whenever possible.
I would press them to fully give their lives to Christ and to live out his will. I would ask them if they are ready to take that next step. Sometimes in an effort to not come across as “preachy” we fail to make the “ask.”
I would make sure that Fielding and Felicia know that God loves them just as much as anyone else. And that they have the same access to Him as a pastor, a teacher, or someone in a church does. They need to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth. Though they can be helpful, a “Pastor” is not a requirement for them to grow. Nor is a “church” needed. The fact is, no one cares more about our own spiritual health than we do.
I could not leave it at just a once a year visit. I would begin regular phone calls to provide encouragement to help them along the way. During the calls, I would listen carefully to determine what they were seeking for. What are their spiritual questions? I would then gear our conversations to answer those questions as best as I could. The calls are not really about what I can teach, but to be someone the Holy Spirit can work through to transform my cousin and his family.
When they are ready, I would encourage Fielding to use his handyman skills to reach out to his neighbors and for Felicia to reach out to young mothers. As they grow closer to Jesus, they will begin to find simple ways to share his life with others. No pastors, no church required.
Who knows, one day they may start a church, but it might just continue to be the Melishes quietly seeking and finding God in their day to day lives. They need to know that God loves them and if they seek him they will find him even in the middle. And along the way I will be there with them.
It seems so many of us are “stuck” with such noble religious notions that truly sound great, unfortunately and sadly, to most outside the “church” they are nothing more than wore out clichés and platitudes. “Instructing” Fielding, as it were, would be to FIRST forge a relationship with him exclusive of all of the religious sounding nonsense. Getting to the the man beyond a “once a year” face-to-face visitation by way of agreeing to schedule a 30 minute phone call once a week for a year between the yearly face-to-face, so as to talk and share each other’s challenges… getting to truly know each other as men. As a natural progression of that relationship, practical issues will arise that will allow for Holy Spirit inspired dialogue … this is Holy Spirit driven discipleship and the desire of Messiah. As Fielding comes to know Father and his Messiah Jesus through this REAL relationship (iron sharpens iron), he will begin to accept and naturally embrace his rightful position as the servant/leader of his home thereby covering his bride and family. IMO, far too many well meaning Christians believe they need utilize religious jargon ALL THE TIME …. we need to be real and authentic … it is in the ordinary challenges of our daily lives that the life of Jesus is made manifest …. boots on the ground!
I have read many (most) of these posts. Something is starting to become a little too clear, evev in my own post! Correct me if I’m wrong, but, I don’t think ayn of us are anywhere close to what could be construed as a viable answer to this quandry! I have been coming to the conclusion, in my own area, that we, as Christians, have no clue what Outreach really is nor how to do it. I have to include myself in this, as my answer doesn’t help either!
Am I mistaken, or is that the point of this exercise?
No, that isn’t the point of the exercise. But I agree with your observation . . . hence this post.
First, to clarify a few statements made in Frank’s scenario that affect my answer: 1) the cousin is a ‘practicing Christian’ – if that means the cousin follows the traditional religious requirements of being a Christian – i.e. go to church every Sunday, go to Sunday School, study the Bible, tithe, etc. then that would limit how he could ‘instruct’ Fielding and Felicity. Even the word ‘instruct’ has a religious ring. Perhaps the cousin’s only once a year contact with Fielding shows his walk is more ‘organized’ by a system. 2) the wife has said ‘yes’ to Jesus Christ as her Savior but she confesses to not being ‘evangelistic’ – sounds like she is under guilt for not going out to save the lost – another traditional religious requirement. 3) Fielding believes Jesus is the Savior of the world, died for our sins and rose from the dead (sounds saved to me!) but hasn’t ‘fully surrendered his life’ to God (is that the cousin’s assessment?) – ‘fully surrendered…’ is this another traditional religious term which hinders Fielding in his growth in Christ.
My Answer:
As his cousin, to really help Fielding, next time I saw him my walk would have to be different. I would not be a ‘practicing Christian’ but a Christian who has experienced the organic, natural, ordinary day interactions with Jesus. Given that, I would tell Fielding and Felicia that they really are in a good place because, first and foremost, they believe in Jesus Christ and what He did for them, and that the Holy Spirit will be faithful to perfect the good work that He started in them.
I would tell them about how God sets up divine appointments – that He can and will bring true believers into their lives that will be a blessing to them as in kind they will to them – and that we can pray for those kinds of appointments. While waiting for those new friends they can rest in the assurance that He knows what they need, who they need, and when they need those things.
In the meantime they can know that God is pleased with Fielding’s work ethic and his kindnesses to his elderly parents and with Felicia’s care for their children. God loves the Jesus deposits she is making in her children – He will be faithful to use her little seed teachings about Him in their lives. I will tell Felicia not to be hard on herself about the demands of raising her children – it a season in her life and she can lean on God in unique ways during this time. She needs to know that her child caring is like a special ministry to the Lord. And she sure doesn’t need to worry about evangelizing the lost! Fielding also needs to know that God loves his ‘outdoorsman’ interest and manual labor. Jesus can relate, He was a carpenter and stonecutter!
I would encourage them and their children to ask God more into their daily lives and look for Him more in their days – sharing with each other those discoveries. In addition, encourage them to pray individually and together for things – e.g. for new friends (saved or unsaved); for opportunities to speak of God – maybe an extended family member/neighbor/co-worker is struggling or hurting – it may be an area that God has already helped in Fielding’s/Felicia’s life and by sharing it just might touch them in a significant way – or maybe Fielding/Felicia will offer to pray for them and see God answer; or pray for and with their children – maybe one of them has an issue at school and they can ask God into the situation. They will be amazed at His answers to their prayers! They can also give me prayer request and we could even pray together over the phone. As God answers we will be built up together in our faith.
Since Fielding is not much of a reader I could send him letters about or share over the phone various Bible stories or verses that we could discuss. It might stir him to read the Bible and in turn tell me things he is learning. This might even cause Fielding and Felicia to share Bible verses as a couple or as a family. Again, the three of us will all help each other grow in Christ, even as they wait for God to bring other believers into their lives.
They need to know their isolated place in Maine does not have to be isolated as Christians. With intentionality of connecting, partnering, and sharing there is no limit to what God can do in a seemingly meager and lonely situation. That they would know, distance does not have to disconnect us – and it won’t! In Christ Jesus we are more than just cousins and God wants it more than just that. Our relationship in the Lord is far reaching – as we reach each other over the miles they will find their reach and influence extending into their location. Fielding and Felicia, it will naturally happen just like a seed naturally grows. He will nurture, expand, and complete the growth He started. Be encouraged!
http://growinginfullness.com/2012/07/10/the-gospel-for-the-middle-a-synchroblog/
When Yeshua [Jesus] was confronted by the lawyer [scribe] from the sect of the Pharisees about “which is the greatest commandment in the Law?,” his response was: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” His addendum to that statement was to love his neighbor as himself. [Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, NASB]
Another scene that also came from a lawyer was rooted in a more earnest question about his destiny. He asked: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The discussion ended with the same result as above. [Luke 10:25-29]
The heart of the gospel is a love that gave everything to satisfy the debt of our sins and express the extent that our Father was willing to go to pursue and start a relationship with each of us. The sacrifice of Yeshua as the Passover Lamb was the result of his passion to see us free, and stir within us a passion for Him and a passion for those He is passionate about. The Greek word in commandment above for ‘love’ is ‘agape.’ It is a word that paints the portrait of deep affection and benevolence that comes from a heart that is experiencing a continual love-feast fired by the Spirit of the living God within.
For someone who is living “in the middle” without the direct influence of a seasoned believer to exemplify what it means to be like Messiah in living color and living light, it would be a priority to introduce them to Fathers’ presence and see what fire could be ignited in them.
It would then be important that they understand that a life with God is an intentional focus on living with Papa; that He never goes away and is always good. I would seek to encourage them with what they have as inheritors of the free gift of life.
Most importantly, I would hope that the life that I have in me and the love that I extend to them is the genuine love that the Spirit of God would have for them at that time; nothing more, nothing less. And with that, their lives could experience the awesome abundant life of walking with God; filled with His love and giving His love to others.
My blog is:
http://www.endlessrichesofchrist.com/the-gospel-for-the-middle-a-synchroblog
Hi Frank, my answer would be two-fold.
First I would begin to share my experience of living in Christ with Fielding. Christ said that if a stalk of wheat dies it produces many seeds. Christ died so that His life could bloom in every man’s being. I would talk to Fielding about the life of Christ and how it is birthed in us, how we no longer live, but Christ lives in and through us.
I would not stop there in explaining Christ’s transforming life within us. Words fail to convey some things, but a picture is worth a thousand words. I would paint the picture with examples from my daily life how Christ is formed in me more and more. Simple things like washing my daughter’s face and seeing Christ in that action because Christ washes us clean with His presence within us.
After expressing my own experience of Christ I would encourage Fielding to let go of his life and to let Christ live in and through him instead. I would point out that his practical, physical life will look little different (Gal 2:19-21), but my experience of my physical life will be vastly different because my physical life will be seen through the eyes of Christ in me. Christ can reveal Himself to us in the most simple of circumstances or ways. We simply have to be still before Christ.
Carving out time to be quiet before the Lord is important. I would encourage Fielding to take some time each day to set aside to be with the Lord. This tunes our spirits to hearing Christ and following His life within us. I would give practical examples how I spend time with Christ each day. Even five minutes can make a big difference in our walk with the Lord.
The other thing I would do, if Fielding is interested and passionate about living in Christ is to move to where Fielding lives if the Lord wills. Where two or more are gathered in Christ so He is there. From the scenario given above it was unclear whether or not the cousin was financially capable of moving to Fielding’s town. If so, I would move.
Tthe last recommendation I would have is to put onto CDs podcasts of Milt Rodriguez’s, T. Austin Spark’s, and your books. If he doesn’t have a CD player or MP3 I would gift him one. This way he can find out so much more about life in Christ and be encouraged through books that are well written and so helpful on the matter.
I see two primary options:
1. Fielding’s cousin can continue his yearly visits and persist in prayer for Fielding’s salvation and further spiritual development. This could also include prayer for other positive Christian influences to be raised up in their lives. If possible, the cousin could increase the frequency of his visits.
2. Fielding’s cousin could relocate to be close to Fielding and his family. This could be a temporary move or long-term to build a stronger relationship with them and be able to have more extensive conversation about Christ. This would have to be taken to the Lord in prayer, and I think he would want to discuss this with Fielding to see if it is something that he would appreciate. It is possible, of course, that the cousin cannot move any easier than Fielding, but that isn’t restricted in the scenario.
I blogged on this here: http://www.tillhecomes.org/gospel-for-the-middle/
Basically, I just seek to encourage people like Fielding in their desires to seek the things of God, and also seek to liberate them from any religious requirements such as “attending church” and “studying the Bible.”
Most people only want to do such things because they think it pleases and appeases God.
I would initially tell Fielding that the best thing he could do is continue to live life where he is at, doing what he enjoys in construction, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family, and that if he could bring an awareness of God’s presence into these activities, this would be enough for now.
I explain more on my blog, but I believe that an awareness of God’s presence is foundational for all future spiritual disciplines and practices. If I dump too much on Fielding right away, he will not want to talk to me again, and will only feel more guilty about “religious” practices he is not doing.
I’m a new blogger @:
Below is my response to Frank’s question of how to help a man and his family who are way outside the usual box of packaged Christianity.I’ve never been part of an institutional church, for 40 yrs, though our ‘house’ church had some similar weaknesses.
As a church outsider, we usually had to come up with our own home made solutions to the usual social and relational problems experienced by Christians.
I’ve tweaked my response to be like the first few pages of a novella, in an attempt to assist the imagination of the reader.
If you think about it, the bible is a blog, compiled by succeeding generations of story tellers and Franks story seems to fit that bill nicely in that he’s asking us all to finish the story.
I’ve started off with an expanded scenario, extrapolated from Franks’ base story line.
The subtext is this:
One another-ing daily is Jesus context for evangelism, discipleship and ministry, and Fielding’s sad state begs for his cousin to find a way to bring Jesus Christ into his life daily, lest he perish by neglect. He does this with the help of his ‘church’, which seems to me to be the whole point to what God is after.
Blessings
Greg
Fielding Melish: The one outside the sheepfold.
Stewart has come to the realization that he’s the only Christian that can help his cousin Fielding Melish. For years, Stewart has been praying for Fielding to have a revelation of Jesus Christ, but something was missing, although Fieldings wife Felisha expressed a sincere faith in Christ and hungered for fellowship.
Stewart and his wife Anne had had their own struggles going through several churches, and finally two years ago, along with their equally disillusioned friends Norman and Terra, just quit going.
Another younger immigrant couple, Aziz and Mira joined them soon after, and they all began drawing on each other frequently for encouragement and fellowship. The 9 children between them ranged in ages from 8 to 24, and not surprisingly, the 4 older children of Stewart and Norman were magnets for Aziz’s 5 younger ones, who were hungry for acceptance and friendship.
As Stewart shared his cousin’s desperate need, the other two families responded with open hearts, offering guidance from scripture and any help they could afford. Mira reminded them that Jesus leaves the sheepfold to find one lost lamb. Mike, a carpenter’s apprentice, and the oldest of Norman’s twins, suggested that maybe they could vacation together to Maine this summer, if Stewart could convince Fielding and even his parents to join them at a well known nature resort. The wives thought this was a splendid idea and began excitedly talking about how they could encourage Felisha, and have their children become better acquainted. Stewart and Anne looked at each other, and Anne could see tears in Stewart’s eyes, as he turned to Norman and Aziz for their reaction to such a bold proposition.
Aziz was hesitant, and said as much, but Norman jumped in right after he had spoken and said openly, “Aziz, if the financial cost is the only reason you hesitate, can I offer you some help to make it possible?”
Aziz’s children whooped with joy as their father affirmed that that had indeed been the only reason, and that he would be grateful for the assistance.
After some heartfelt prayer, and preliminary discussion, and hugs goodnight, Stewart and Anne sat thoughtfully on the porch in the moonlight.
Anne said “I believe if Fielding will agree to join us this summer that we will be able to establish a new foundation of relationships in Christ that includes and yet transcends family, and that has been missing all these years”.
Stewart was quiet for a moment and then said “I read recently in Acts that when the church came together in one accord, the place was shaken and God poured out His Spirit on all those gathered. Tonight I felt the love of God unite us like I’ve never experienced before, and I’m a bit scared and yet excited to see what comes of it”.
Anne replied “If Fielding and his parents could experience and feel the love of God that we have among us, it’s hard to imagine him staying caught in the net of uncertainty and earthly cares that he’s trapped in”.
“I agree” said Stewart, and continued “Felisha’s tired, and discouraged, but I believe that together we can strengthen her, possibly by keeping our main vacation activities centered on just being together daily rather than only exciting activities and fun. With 21 of us in each others faces, 24/7 for a week, it will be a unique opportunity for us to discover how the Lord builds 5 different families into one family in Him”.
Anne looked intently into Stewarts face and said “Maybe that’s the real lesson here.” “We are all going to be learners, like children who need a Father, and if we simply gather around Him, and listen to His voice in one another, we can get past the religiousness that nearly destroyed us?”
Stewart nodded, as he reached for Anne’s hand.
He whispered “Father, guide us please”.
I would recommend to the cousin that he should recognize and agree with Felicia, in prayer, that at this time, they are it! That part of the body of Christ not only aware of the situation, but responsible for, and willing to address it. If Fielding is not “won without a word,” the Holy Spirit may use the both of you to not only perform the “office” works required to bring him to Christ, but also to plant a new church. Remember, it only takes two or three.
Greetings Fielding, Felicia, Frederick, and Fawn,
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in a few weeks, I pray that all is well with your household, and I treasure the time we are able to spend together. Your home is rich with the warmth of your love for one another, I always feel refreshed as we have time to experience the beauty of the area which you live in. You are very blessed to be in such a natural environment, the peace and serenity of your home is such a welcomed break from the hustle of city life. Fielding you are so blessed to have the simplicity that is so precious in today’s world. Felicia your home cooked meals are also something I’m anticipating, I can almost smell the fresh bread coming out of your oven. Please let Frederick and Fawn know that I’m eager to spend time with them, and to once again spend the day on the fishing trip they have planned. You guys have such riches, something money could never buy, I thank God often when I think of each of you.
As I briefly touched upon in my last letter, my life in Christ is taking on a deeper, and more relevant meaning in the past year. In and through the grace of God I have began to see the captivating beauty, and incredible riches of Jesus Christ. My desire to share with you in person what this means to not only me, but all who are beginning to collectively search the riches of Jesus Christ. In the past few months and in and through His grace we are finding out just how rewarding it is to rest in Christ, to allow Him to move you, to speak to you, and to welcome you into His peace. This my dear friends is life worth living, it seems that the theme of what Luke recorded in the book of Acts is so true, “in Him we move and have our being”.
Also as Felicia and I spoke about the other day, you should be seeing your new subscription to “Searching Together” any day now in the mail. I looking forward to hearing how this magazine impacted each of you.
May you be filled with His grace and peace,
Jim
Interesting. I know someone just like this. This isn’t a person that’s ready to start a church. They may not be called to that even but right now it’s questionable if they even know God. I think the interest needs to get strong enough to where he and his wife are asking for more. So if I was the cousin, I think prayer is the only way. God needs to act on what’s been said to them already and what they’ve gone through. Pray also for a local Christian to come into their lives. Maine is a hard place but with God all things are possible.
There are some things that stick out to me in this;
First: He believes in God, that Jesus died for our sins, and yet has not made that decision for Christ.
Second: It seems as though this has gone on for some years, his not accepting yet wanting to know more.
Third: He is hungry to know so much more, yet will not commit. It seems as though he were waiting for something to happen, an answer, a “happening” to occur, before he will make any commitment.
First, I think of Paul. When and how he came to Christ was extremely important. It happened in such a way and a time that, when he did make that commitment, he did so with such zeal and fervor that we now have a Mission Field. The time he spent not knowing Christ and, indeed, fighting against Him, defined the commitment he did make!
Second, it seems as though God could be using this time in much the same way He did with Paul. To develop a great, deep desire to fulfill a call that only he can. One that will be better understood with time. Paul did not come to Christ while He was still here, not while he sat in instruction. He came when his time, according to God’s timetable, was ready! When Paul’s mind and heart were ready for that decision and for a call to Ministry. The hunger he feels, may be along that same line. Fielding wants to know, but isn’t ready in understanding. Is it possible that God is holding back on something until that time has come?
For what? Is it possible that God would have Fielding to start a Church there? Fielding will have a great understanding of why a Church needs to be there, from his own time before conversion. He will also have this huge need to do more than just sit back and do nothing! His wife wants to do more than that! He is hungry and he knows what he is hungry for. Many people I know, are going to hell, and they know it! It isn’t because they want to, not because they like the idea, they just don’t know where else to go! Fielding may very well be that answer for that area.
Instructions for Fielding and his wife? “You already know the answers to any question I could ask. You already know who Jesus is and what He is. You also already know what you need to do. I give you my word: I will support you when you do! If it’s prayer you need, I will do it! I will do that anyway, but , so you will hear the words…Regardless of what it takes…I will support you and Felicia, no matter what.
Sorry I forgot to put my blog address on there!http://bryansthots.blogspot.com
This is my answer from my post http://spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/2012/07/missional-question.html
This is a tricky one. By American standards, we would have trouble reaching Fielding and Felicia. We can’t easily pawn them off on someone else, and we can’t just hand them a book.
If I were the cousin I would suggest to Fielding that if he is going to read anything, he spend time in the Bible. He doesn’t have to read a lot at once, but he should read it with Felicia every day. They can talk about what they read and pray about it. I would encourage Fielding to look at God’s glory in creation. I would tell him that we are God’s building, and that He wants to build us together as His temple, not as a physical building, but a house made of people.
As the cousin I would need to take a more active role in reaching out in between visits, making sure I prayed for them and helped with questions and discipleship as much as possible.
I would explain to Fielding that God speaks to His people, and that every believer has the Holy Spirit. I would explain from John that the Spirit leads us into all truth and reveals the Son, and that they can grow in this way.
I recently read The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch, and he talks about how the church expanded in the first couple of centuries after Christ, and how the Chinese church grew exponentially after all foreigners were expelled and Christian leaders jailed or killed under Mao. Despite the lack all the things Americans consider essential to church growth, these churches thrived. I think if the cousin takes the time to offer support and helps Fielding and Felicia recognize that they have the basics – the Bible and the Spirit, that they can grow and thrive in their environment.
I shut my blog down so I can’t do the synchro. Here’s what I’d do –
1 – pray for him and his wife when they came to my mind
2 – especially pray before I saw them
3 – look for the open door next time I saw him. if an opportunity came up when I could talk about the Lord where it was natural and not forced, I’d take it
4 – let him know that I was available to talk more about God and answer questions anytime on the phone
5 – pray that God would bring some christians around them to continue the seeds I planted
http://harvestofpearls.com/2012/07/09/synchroblog-fun/
My Answer:
Fielding, we have had some great times sharing Christ together in the past, and I would like to get together with you and the family more often than once a year. We are family all year, so how about we set up visits where that I can come to see you, Felicia, and the kids about every couple months. In the meantime, I would like to call you and touch base with you on how the family is getting along. And if you like, among other things, we could also continue our conversation about Jesus on the phone in between visits. I should have thought of this a long time ago. I am looking forward to your input, especially since Jesus is the master builder of His Father’s house. In fact, Jesus is said in the Bible to be the cornerstone and foundation of Father’s house. And I would love to get your input on the importance of the right foundation and materials for building. Jesus was a hand-on builder when He was on earth in the flesh, and He is building right now too, only a spiritual house. Your extensive experience in this area is of great value. Your hands on know-how about building might just open up a different view of Christ, maybe even somehow relating to how God is building His house today.
Oh, and I wanted to mention to you that Father reveals Christ to me in creation, in the nature that is around us. I have never mentioned that before, but I meant to tell you about it several times. Father has revealed Christ in nature to me for years. Maybe it’s because I never used to read any of the Christian books or anything, in that way we are a lot alike. Though, I have read some interesting books for the last four or five years now. When I see Christ in nature, I usually try to find that revealing in Scripture too. And you know what? It is always there, right there in the Scriptures, but only in different words. I love it when Father does that! I know we could have some interesting conversations about Jesus revealed in creation, being that you are more attuned to nature than I am. Let’s face it, you are more of an outdoors person than me. and I have a feeling that between the both of us, we may be given the sight to see Christ is a way we never have anticipated. I am so looking forward to getting together again, and I am also looking forward to our phone conversations. So that it will not cost you anything other than your time, I will call you. That’s only fair, after all, I don’t have two children to raise and feed, so I can afford the phone calls. I am so glad that Father brought this idea to me. It could be a real encouragement for all of us.
I brought you and Felicia some gifts from home today. I have two mp3 players and a whole lot of extra ear buds, so I thought I would download some audio files about Jesus on one of the mp3 players that I don’t use. And I don’t want it back, it is a gift for you guys, not a loan, like I said I never use it. These audios have been encouraging and very helpful to me. The audio files are recorded from live events where believers shared Christ with one another. I have some other audio on CDs for you, and some DVD’s too, since the mp3 player only holds so much. I have plenty of audio files, audio books and videos that I have found to be a huge encouragement for me. I have been greatly blessed by these fellow believers sharing Christ, so I thought you might enjoy them too. I won’t drill you on them or anything like that, not at all. They are merely for your and Felicia’s enjoyment, no questions asked. Oh, I almost forgot, a couple of sisters in Christ thought you and Felicia might like these two books, so I brought them with me to give you all. They also sent a third book, I have it right here. It is written especially for children. I thought maybe your oldest could read it to your youngest, or however they want to read it. I hope they like it.
These same two sisters, and their husbands who are also believers in Christ, wanted me ask you guys if it would be alright is they came with me once in awhile for a visit. They could stay at a motel or the bed and breakfast, or whatever arrangements need to be made, so that we could come together and share Christ right in your house, the living room is usually pretty comfortable. Actually, that’s how they did it in the New Testament. If you want, talk with Felicia and let me know what you all decide when I give ya ring later this week.
Fielding, I have been wondering about something lately. And just so you know ─ I’m serious. What if on one of my visits, I was to help you build something? I would not know what I am doing, but maybe I could be of some help to you. And I think the experience would be real good for me. Please, just try not to let me hammer my thumbs permanently flat! How about making my wondering a reality? It would be a hoot, along with some heavy laughter, no doubt. What do ya say cousin?
Fielding Melish and his wife are living in a desert place. But throughout history streams of living water have erupted in drier places. Anywhere God shows himself, hunger grows because his presence calls to all people in one way or another; albeit very subtly.
Fielding’s cousin would be well advised to begin informal prayer meetings with the couple and nudge them toward looking for God’s miraculous provision for those who seek him. Jesus said, Ask, and you shall receive; Seek, and you shall find; Knock, and it will be opened to you.
God loves deeply and watches closely to see faith in him exercised anywhere. I believe his ears prick up a little at the sound of a sincere cry for his attention. Then, faith will grow by leaps and bounds when he provides exactly what they need in his always unexpected way.
The flame-front of His Holy Spirit follows the fuel of the fields which are dry and thirsty. When the need is great and souls cry out to him in earnest, that is when he shines and shows himself as he was to Jesus; the loving father who provided when he needed it and the guiding light in daytime or darkness.
So, my advice to the cousin is to be a life-line by teaching them to pray and look for God’s answer. Also, by drawing on the resource of his own church -getting them to pray continually asking God to fill them with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that they may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Col 1:9,10) –Perhaps the Lord would lay it upon the hearts of some to take an interest in the couple by being pen-pals or arranging meetings.
However he chooses to do it, the Lord can make flowers bloom in the desert and families of believers crop up out of nowhere. All he needs is an invitation.
Hi Frank,
I do not have a blog either, but do have a response.
If I were the cousin, I would let Fielding know that if he is truly earnest in forming a relationship with Christ, it will happen – BUT – just like a good marriage relationship between man and wife, he will need to spend some time cultivating that relationship. I would suggest that he set aside some time with family to wait upon the Lord with Bible readings, meditation and prayer, as the Holy Spirit leads. Say maybe 1/2 to one hour to start. One who is truly seeking the Lord will come to want more of Him and therefore will seek longer and more frequent time with the Lord. As he and his family become more intimate with the Lord and begin to know and hear his voice, the Lord will lead them to find / meet with others of the same ilk. As one’s mind becomes so attuned to the Lord, one’s mind will continue to abide in the Lord no matter what the circumstances – work, play, etc. It is about making Christ the Lord your life by giving Him your life, that he may occupy the center of your being, doing a work in and thru you, moment by moment.
If I were the cousin, I would call or write to encourage my cousins to continue their walk to, in, by and for the Lord. The cousin should also impress upon Fielding that sacrifice is needed to have this relationship, but like a mother who gives birth, it is soon forgotten as the blessing of the relationship with Christ takes root and grows by leaps and bounds! He is our Lord, our Saviour – our Way, Truth and Life! He gave his life for us, can we do no less?!
When Christ walked the earth, he was in constant communication with Father. Each step he took was in accordance with what his Father desired of him. We are to aim for that same kind of relationship.
Shalom
http://www.pilgrimgram.com/2012/07/testimony-and-synchroblog-experiement.html
Testimony Time:
This is indeed a common issue today: people that cannot (for one reason or another) be part of a church, but need what a church offers.
We experienced this scenario, though our experience was in the back-woods of central Washington, notMaine. We were hunting there, and camping in the front yard of one of our party’s cousin. The cousin & his wife were in pretty much this exact situation. He worked for the local fire department.
This is what we did: We changed the subject, moving away from the problem (“How do I meet to spiritual needs?”) toward more of an experiential relationship, in the belief that an experiential relationship is more likely to be self-sustaining than an obligatory or intellectual relationship.
So we prayed for some specific miracles, and God answered. One was a successful hunt for the cousin (they needed the meat), and the other was for a change of a “final, incontestable” government ruling that meant the fulfillment of a 20-year old dream for them. The final ruling was reversed a couple of days later.
We shared some excellent fellowship while we were there, generally around meals, and essentially modeling a home group for them. We took a day off of hunting (something of a miracle in itself!) to clear some land for the answer to one of the prayers, and God threw in another rather dramatic miracle to sweeten the pot.
In the midst of all this, we took the time to teach, to convert what they were experiencing into an understanding of who God to them, and who they are to Him. The miracles helped the process.
When we left, we stayed in touch by phone, answering questions, fanning the flame. They began inviting neighbors to their home for meals, sharing (NOT preaching) all aspects of their life, including fire department issues, and also what God had done for them.
Eventually, it turned into a {simple church, house church, organic church} fellowship and while they never used the word, they were essentially pastoring folks in their rural community, as much through the fire department as through gatherings in their home.
We went hunting in the same territory the next year, met some of their friends, shared a more meals and more stories, discussed new answers to new challenges, and brought home more meat.
Fielding doesn’t need to be preached at or overloaded with Bible knowledge. He needs to see and experience the love / life of Christ. The only way is daily interaction. So, the cousin could move near him or pray for God to send a family or some families to move there.
Frank,
I would suggest two things:
1. I would encourage Fielding to use his natural interest and hobbies to establish relationships with those in his community. For instance, he could link up with a group of people who have similar interest to hunting and/or building and just develop a relationship with them. Some may be surprised how the Lord could use that to segue into building Himself into the middle of that relationship.
2. I would also encourage him to use those same skills and interest into helping the disadvantage in his area such as volunteering his time and energy into helping out the needy, organizations that help out the needy, coworkers or friends who could benefit from this service. I believe the Lord transcends the scriptures and exist in everyday things.
I truly believe that he would be spiritually fed by partaking in those suggestions. In addition, I believe the Lord would/could utilize that to establish a community of believers in his local.
There may not be a Church building in every town that meet our needs, however, there are always needs that need to be met in our town.
“Fielding we have spoken a lot about Jesus over the years, but to my shame I must say there is one thing I haven’t told you yet. Recently the Lord reminded me how interested he is in us. He came and shared his and his Father’s love with his disciples so that his joy may be in them and their joy may be complete. I believe this is what Jesus is also saying to us today. Wow it really struck me that he wants to give us joy! That is when I decided I have to share this discovery with you.
Further he is inviting us to be his close (best) friends. He is extending his hand of friendship and is inviting us to be his best friend. Close friends share intimate things with one another, things they won’t even tell their wife or family. Jesus says he shared everything he heard from his Father with us; he held nothing back. He opened up his heart for us (it has been recorded in the Bible for us). He is asking us to walk and talk with him all day, every day. That way we show him we care about him and then he can also show us how much he truly cares about us.
Isn’t that fantastic! You can talk with him about your work, your problems, your worries, your wife, children, family and the hings that make you glad.
I have begun to try to listen to what he is saying to me. That is not the things in my head. I find he speaks to me inwardly. I am sure you will also begin to hear him speak to you where you are working or helping your mom and dad or whatever.
The important thing however is that you also take his hand of friendship. All I can say is that I am so glad I did it. I don’t know if you can see the change he has made in my life, but I can really experience it.” [Cf Joh 15:9-1]
Sounds to me like Fielding is in that place before conversion. In my Baptist days I’d say the cousin needs to close the deal. Confront him with making a decision and then lead him into the sinner’s prayer. I’ve not seen that approach work too well. I think it’s better if it comes from Fielding himself to where he asks, “what must I do to be saved?” so if I were the cousin, I’d just keep praying for him and be available to answer questions when you I got together with him. I wouldn’t be pushy. I also disagree with the ones who said said that having christian fellowship isn’t necessary. I know few who can keep a decent walk with God without having some contact with other followers. Christians need other Christians.
I’ve always been curious, where in the Scriptures do I find this “sinner’s prayer”?
Good question, Scott. You might find “Rethinking the Sinner’s Prayer” of interest: http://frankviola.org/2012/06/18/sinnersprayer/
The “sinner’s prayer” per se, doesn’t actually exist, at least not in scripture. There are references to what should be done in the prayer. If you believe in your heart that Jesus did die for the remission of sins and comfess with your mouth…Romans 10:9
Instead of the Sinner’s Prayer, shouldn’t Mr. Melish be taught that Jesus said “he that believes in me and is baptized shall be saved”? Just a thought from reading Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-38; 22:16; et al.
So, all the things that the Scriptures say save us work together to do so, right? The Scriptures say grace saves us (Acts 15:11), Jesus (Matthew 1:21) and the Word (James 1:21). They also say faith saves us (Mark 16:16, Eph 2:8), confessing Christ saves us (Acts 2:21, Romans 10:9), they also say repentance saves us (Romans 2:37-41). Of course, they also specifically say that baptism saves us (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, and 1 Peter 3:21) and that standing firm to the end saves us (Matthew 10:22, Mark 13:13).
Saying that any one or two or three of those saves us without the others (and other things not listed) denies the truth of Scripture. Salvation is simple but at the same time complex. Christ died to cleanse us of our sins, but that cleansing involves actions on our part to acknowledge/accept the actions on His part. Whether you say that action on our part is belief, belief + confession, or belief+confession+anything else, you are acknowledging that something has to be done by the individual being saved. If you are willing to acknowledge that we have to do some of what God’s word says we have to do, why would you be unwilling to acknowledge that we have to do all of what He says we have to do?
My Answer:
I have come to believe that disciples make disciples. After all…Jesus told the original disciples to go and make disciples. And how is that done? Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”
As I read that carefully and slowly what jumps out at me is the fact that disciples should be teaching new and potential disciples the commands/sayings of Jesus.
John, one of the original disciples later wrote: “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.”
At the core of discipleship is getting to know Jesus and the things he taught. If you think about it all the recorded sayings of Jesus can easily be read at one sitting. Through just these few sayings we get a real glimpse of God’s heart. Through these teachings (and the help of the Holy Spirit) we come to be drawn towards Jesus as the Teacher and King that he is. We learn and want to learn more as all good disciples (students) should.
A call to discipleship is a call to a 24/7 school. The classroom for the disciple is all around us…all the time. The older students encourage the younger. We are learning from Jesus…our Teacher who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What he has spoken….like do unto others as you’d have them do to you or love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself ring fresh and true today as they did then.
If I was Fieldings cousin, I would share these type of thoughts with him…inviting him to join up with me in this school of Christ. I would offer to be an availble older student working with him as a younger/newer one thru letters, email and occasional visits. I would encourage him to put much attention to the sayings of Jesus, even memorizing them, pondering them and meditating upon them.
When the time is right I would teach him to do the same with others nearby. He could invite them to his home and be students together. And on and on it should go.
But he’s not yet a disciple so we have to back up and answer the question of how in this circumstance does that happen. I think that’s the heart of the question.
In the scenario it seems as if Fielding is open to the Father. We can assume that the Holy Spirit is drawing his heart. Therefore we make a disciple by inviting him to be a student with us exploring Jesus sayings. The choice is then Fieldings (or anybody for that matter) if they want to make that committment.
I believe you are both right, in part. What I find missing in your exchange, as well as in many other answer suggestions reflected in this exercise is the absence of addressing Felicia’s desire to find a local church. She is not just a potted plant in this scenario, and unless Fielding experiences a soverign revelation as did Paul, she might well be the catalyst in bringing her husband to Christ. After which the three of them, as primative as it may appear, when they do come together in His name, for His purposes, as well as mutual edification, however and whenever that may occur, would then become church. This, I believe, is critical for them to understand or they will never get off the ground. Through prayer and obedience to the Spirit’s leading, Jesus will build His Church, and disciples will make disciples, but I doubt if it will look much like what most of us here in America are so familiar with. The “office” folks may or may not surface initially, and you can bet it will get messy, but rest assured, if and when the right ones do surface, and Godly leadership is raised up, they will ultimately be a major blessing because they will come to serve, and not rule. Below is my shorter input, which, I’m quite certain, was only partially worth submitting.
Link to my post about it: http://www.kellyjyoungblood.com/2012/07/being-christian-in-remote-area-how.html
My answer:
As I read this idea for the synchroblog this morning, I thought it was a fascinating question. It shows how much we rely on two things in particular to feed our faith and grow in it: gathering together in church and reading our Bibles. It also made me think about how, although we talk about surrendering our lives to Christ, it may take us many years to completely surrender as we are always learning and growing.
I think what is missing is acknowledging the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives. It is only in recent history that people are able to have individual Bibles, and in many countries, people cannot gather together for church (as we know it).
The best advice for Fielding is, I think, prayer. Fielding doesn’t need to be able to read or be with other people. He and his wife and children can pray together and grow together and seek to be led by the Holy Spirit. They can have discussions about their hopes and dreams and questions and doubts. Fielding’s cousin can provide support through phone calls or letters.
I think the cousin shouldn’t give him any advise, but just be there when Fielding reaches out for more. Let go and let God. He will find a way. People never will.
Considering Fielding’s entire situation, my thought boils down to this: Fielding and Felicia need to encounter Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God. If they cannot go to where the Body of Christ is expressed by a group of Christians, then the Body of Christ needs to come to them.
If I were Fielding’s cousin:
“Fielding, since you and Felicia can’t come to us, we are coming to you. We are relocating to where you are, so that you and Felicia and we can experience and get to know Christ together.”
The question isn’t what *Fielding* should sacrifice. The question is what the followers of Christ are willing to sacrifice in order to express Christ to someone who otherwise isn’t going to see Him.
This sounds nice but I could never put another person in that position or ask them to do that. Are you saying that YOU would move to remote Maine right now if you were related to Fielding? Where are you going to find work? How do you know that this is even God’s will? I really don’t understand this answer and am curious if you are 100% sure you would do this given the circumstances. Most people couldn’t even do it if they wanted and it’s no guarantee that Fielding would turn out to be a disciple. and what if God wants the cousin to move somewhere else?
Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’d be willing to do what I suggested. It’s not something Fielding has requested, but something the cousin is offering. The presupposition is that God has already made clear that this is the right choice (and that He has closed all apparent doors for Fielding and his family to be the ones to move).
I’m also speaking from personal experience. In 2001, my husband and I moved from Oklahoma to Germany and spent six years there because a group of Christians needed us.
I’ve read the comments so far and it seems to me that some people are missing what’s really going on. In the scenario Fielding says he believes Jesus is the Savior, but so do most Americans. The issue is has he met Jesus himself personally. Has he given his life to him. It doesn’t seem that this is happened or at least it’s not clear if he has or hasn’t. so the issue is, how to bring Fielding to the Lord under these conditions and then how to get him and his family to grow after that. am I right?
Tom, your analysis is correct. All we know for sure is that Fielding is interested to learn more about God when he’s with his cousin. It is unclear if he has encountered the living God in Christ yet. Fielding “believes” the way most Americans believe in God. It’s belief in the idea that the concepts are true.
“[Fielding] believes Jesus is the Savior of the world who died for our sins and rose again from the dead.”
Fielding is saved. Am I missing something? Do we really need to question this individuals salvation? Besides if he was not, it seems we don’t need to try to save him since it is God’s work alone. Since God has already put his saved cousin in his life it seems God’s working and moving. Considering the fact the Spirit is upon all, all will be well.
Back to Fielding being saved.
Without going deep. Watchman Nee just taught somethings to me out of his book, The Normal Christian Faith, on Calling upon the name of the Lord. Overall, you don’t even need to call, nor pray, but believe in the Son of God and everything is added. A mere give a little room in your heart for the Son and all will be well. Fielding of course hasn’t surrender his life over yet, who has or can completely? Isn’t that what will happen when we are glorified with Him someday? When was surrounding your life a pre-req for salvation anyways?
So I hold to my statement. If any of my truths I just wrote are biblical off please correct me. I am being honest here and don’t argue, I am a new Christian and need to know where I am wrong.
Most people who live in the USA give mental assent (“believe”) that Jesus is Savior. I think the stat is over 80%. Some studies have well over 80%. But that doesn’t mean that they are all regenerated and know the Lord.
So according to the scenario, we cannot assume that he’s regenerated. That’s why he says he’s “in the middle.” He’s open and interested, not anti- or against-. But he’s also not following the Lord with his life. That’s part of what makes the question so intriguing. He represents countless people today. They are “in the middle” so to speak.
Wait is the story saying how he believes it to be true but fielding is not personally trusting in the Christ God sent?
Let me try again: Giving mental assent is one thing; entrusting one’s life to Christ is something different. Let me make it simple lest we off into theological rabbit trails and get off the specific question. In this scenario, the cousin isn’t sure what’s going on in Fielding’s heart. There is no evidence to suggest that Fielding has entrusted his life to Christ. So he is not going to assume that his “belief” is anything more than mental assent. So Fielding is interested and open and has no problem saying, “yea, I think who Jesus said He was and what He did is TRUE.” But nothing beyond that at this point. That should clarify your question. Thx.
Disclaimer: my comment offers no solution. I just wanted to say that I believe this is a growing and relevant issue today and I REALLY look forward to the suggestions others have to share.
Most of the people my husband and I have ministered to in the US were in a similar situations. We’re always traveling so we’re constantly meeting new people and develop relationships away from where we live. Not intentionally, it just happens. But even when we get to introduce Jesus, and that person has a legitimate encounter with Him, half the time we never hear from them again – even if we give them our contact info. With some of my closer friends who are alone in their relationship with the Lord, I’ve tried Skyping reguarly to check in and be available, but it’s still not enough – and not only that but in some cases my husband and I get distinguished as “super” or “special” Christians rather than a sister and brother who just want dedicated, growing relationships with Jesus and His Body side by side with everyone else.. In those instances, we’ve found the person never learns to be responsible for their own relationship with Jesus, they just kind of wait until we’re back in town. If people that go that long without physical food die of starvation, so course the same thing happens spiritually! (And by the way, we see this with both people who have grown up in the church and drug addicts who have never stepped foot in a church, so it’s not exclusive to any particular background or age-range.)
Same case in India. Unless you have an encounter with a head of the household, it creates an incredibly awkward (if not dangerous) situation for the individual who just came to know Jesus. Especially if they’re a woman or a servant. They can’t just go back to their family and announce they’re a Christian and it’s all hunky dory. No, they keep it to themselves and have to go on with their lives as before, because meeting their family’s day-to-day needs comes first. That’s their reality. Unless the seed has a good environment, it will be choked – sometimes physically as well as spiritually.
Totally looking forward to reading the responses to this challenge.
Nice observations Ashley!
Fielding sounds like the perfect candidate as a man of peace. Luke 10: . Here is where we pray for an apostle to be sent. Thank you Jesus, send to Fielding an apostle to establish the foundation of you in his life and use his home as a centre of worship and glory to you.
Not a blogger;
Their lives are starved of spiritual experience and rooted in the carnal. I would start by enjoying the ‘nature’ side of God as a family in their immediate surroundings or a nearby conservation area or the park. This could lead to ‘wonder’ as well as enjoyment and the start of questions about creation. This can also be enjoyed at night with sunset, stars etc. It will foster good family relationships; talking and listening and questioning with a curiosity for answers to questions that maybe parent’s cannot answer without referring to the Bible.
The questions raised by this sort of family time coud then be discussed with the use of a Bible; The Mirror Bible (Francois Du Toit) I feel would be ideal for all age groups, especially as this translation takes into account the overall meaning of the Chapter that is being read as well as that of each verse. It is prarphrased from the original Greek text.
As this becomes part of family life, other family members will be told about it and could be invited to a home meal and asked to join in the discussion. These things tend to snowball, so could eventually include friends and neighbours. This could be the beginning of planting a church or home group.
Sounds good to me…..wish I could go! Love and blessings!
http://wisdomshouldwork.blogspot.com/
Do evangelical Christians make people feel bad who don’t fit the celebral, middle class, stereotype of good evangelicals?
My quick, not terribly thought out, knee-jerk reaction, answer:
Why should these people be made to feel that they are not “doing enough”? I find them to be saint material. Why is it not enough to do their best as good parents, good adult children of their own parents, good siblings, good cousins, good neighbors?
I get the impression that there is pressure here for the Melish family to conform to a cerebral, college educated, ultra-literate standard? For a millenia and a half the Christian world was illiterate, but there were still good Christians. Why has reading become a prerequisite for being a good Christian? No matter what Martin Luther thought, the Kingdom of God does not depend on the printing press putting a Bible in every hand.
In this case, the Melish family would do well to lean heavier on another technology, not from Gutenburg, but from Graham-Bell. Spend some time with the Christian cousin on the phone. With unlimited cell phone minutes, friends and family circles, or night/weekend rates, Fielding and Felicia could develop a phone network of fellowship and develop home-church worship.
I ask if the Melish family couldn’t find a Catholic church nearby? I don’t find the Catholic church to fit any of those three categories, highly legalistic, highly libertine, or just flat-out flaky.
http://esztertun.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/the-gospel-for-the-middle/
As my family and I live out in the middle of rural farming land ourselves, this story interested me.
The first biblical scenario that came to mind was that of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-39. They were alone, travelling by chariot in the desert, between cities, when the Ethiopian stepped into faith in Jesus as the Christ. “And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’” He then stepped right into the body of Christ.
In my way of thinking the Melish family situation is a most wonderful way to see God alive in His church! Fulfilling fellowship in Christ can and does exist even out in the middle of nowhere.
My family, friends and other readers know that my belief on church is, that as believers we are God’s family; we are living stones built together by the Spirit of God as His temple; we are parts of one body–Jesus’ body . . . in other words, Christianity isn’t a religion, but is just being part of Him.
So, it follows that I would suggest to the Melish family that there is no need for an organized church complete with building and programs.
My approach would be to share, that after our many church experiences, we have been meeting informally for a few years with other believers who happen to be both relatives and friends. We encourage each other to prepare to share weekly what God has shown us of Himself. There is no order of events, no obligation to perform; just a hope to see a clearer picture of Christ in each other, to encourage each other, and to strengthen His body by loving each other. (Of course, it’s not the bed of roses it sounds like–it’s real life in the real world…but that’s a whole other post.)
As the Ethiopian said, “What prevents me…?” In that mindset, I would say, what prevents them from jumping right in to Jesus as the living water? What prevents them from living together both as physical and spiritual family, worshipping together, getting to know Jesus better together? Then in His time, they can expect to see Him extend and grow His family around them naturally.
Weekly, bi-weekly, daily–however often they believe God directs them–they can teach “one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in [their] hearts to God.”
And as their cousin, I’d offer to join them as often as possible, to help them feel more comfortable meeting in this scriptural way.
If I were Fielding’s cousin, this is what I’d say:
There’s a terrific story in the Bible, told by Jesus, about a man who works with his hands.
A farmer, planting seeds.
The story describes four possible fates for that one powerful seed.
Although Fielding doesn’t like to read, everyone enjoys a good story. Especially when the characters are people like us.
The parable of the sower (Luke 8:5-10) would fit on an index card. Fielding can write the story on the card, then tape it to his bathroom mirror. Each day, he would commit to reading that story at least once, for one year, until he sees his cousin again.
That’s a commitment of one or two minutes per day.
But Fielding would be hearing daily what Jesus said concerning faith — Fielding’s faith, in particular.
The parable itself turns into a seed.
The seed that yields hunger for more.
Assuming they have internet….there are many churches that post or stream services….to include mine. Then at some point someone needs to plant a church in the area. My own church is working on scenarios for just such types of situations. If this is more than theoretical I might be able to connect them to someone who could be of help.
What if I were Fielding’s cousin?
Begining today I would mention Fielding and his family in my daily quiet time with Father.
Hopefully, when the time came for my next meeting with Fielding and Felecia, Father would have made clear to me in what way I could be of use to them.
My own story is not to different from that of Fielding and his family. I grew up in rural Minnesota – 5 miles from the nearest town. There were no churches in that town worthy of my parents’ approval*. My parents were very busy with 4 children and a farm to run. Yet every day they gathered the family together and read a passage from the Bible. And said of the passage what they felt Holy Spirit wanted us to know about it.
In a way, Fielding and his family are far better off than many urban dwellers. There is no need for them to extracate themselves from a comfortable megachurch in order to begin a discovery group. They already have one – mom, dad, and the two children. All they need do is – starting with the Gospels – read a portion of scripture together each day, and seek to discover what God is saying to them through the passage. And cousin is just a phone-call away to answer questions and pray with them over the phone.
Jesus once said something like this, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with them.” As a cousin who loved them, I would be content to see this family safely in the hands of the One who loves them far more than I do.
note: my parents eventually found ways, to be meeting with other believers, however, it was the family devotions time that foster the fondest memories.
P.S. I would not be suprised if – after a measure of time with their own discovery group – this family would not be prompted by Holy Spirit to start discovery groups with nearby friends and family.
my blog . . .
http://rickrichtersblog.wordpress.com/
In Ephesians, Paul wrote and prayed that(for all Christians) the Spirit would do the following:
- Open the eyes of our hearts to know who Christ really IS, in all of His glory.
- Show us the assurance of our great calling in Him.
- Experience the working of Christ’s indwelling Life, strength, power.
- Know the great dimensions of the Love of God in Christ.
Essentially, that Christ would really be at home in our hearts, living out His life through us, in the world – unto the Father.
That we would house and embody this great Christ, as the true steward of the Father’s fullness of love and glory – in, yet above, all things.
His prayers were predicated by explaining our high calling in Christ. (reduced and paraphrased both above and below).
To receive, share, and reciprocate the Blessings of God, all which are in Christ.
The receiving and sharing is Christ. The reciprocation is Christ.
To back it up just a little further, He was writing Christians who gathered intentionally with each other – after hearing a presentation of Christ, which frankly, sounded much like Frank Viola’s sermon and e-book Epic Jesus.
Paul does address or give brief emphasis to “home life” and the busyness therein, later in the letter. Certain aspects of life which required common decency (work, family ect.)are then treated more as an afterthought of the greatness of Christ and our high calling. (Related to, but not in place of.)
This contextualizes, or frames, not just the Melish’s dilemma, but Christendom at large.
Most Christian “issues” or “problems” subsist in the big picture framework as outlined above, stemming from Ephesians – rooted in who Christ IS.
So where do we go from here ?
Honestly a presentation of Christ like that of Epic Jesus needs to be laid as foundation. (How this practically happens I don’t know, it’s always a miracle when it does happen though – typically it’s a message presented by those ‘sent ones’ with such a message burning in their hearts.)(If I am Fielding’s cousin, I am chiefly concerned about them grasping such a message.)
This could rouse the Melish’s beyond some of the constraints that are under their control.
(They may get more inspired to know Christ and (even Fielding) may read a bit more, hopefully connecting with people and resources via internet.)
At minimum, their fellowship (just the two of them) and their practicing of His presence should change quite remarkably – if they are both impacted by an Epic Jesus type message.
(As Fielding’s cousin, my next chief concern is that they learn to practice His presence, after being impacted by an Epic Jesus type message.)
This can be sustaining for them, but not as balanced nor as full as we are destined for in Christ.
This sustenance could lead them into finding true fellowship. Hopefully where a group gathers informally, to learn to live by the life Christ, aided in some capacity by an organic church-type planter at some point in the group’s lifetime.
(As Fielding’s cousin, I, together with the Melish’s, would enter in reliance on the Lord to depend get them there, in His time.)
To recap, this issue like all ‘issues’ must be seen in the larger context of our calling and Christ.
It really is grace from start to finish, with the Spirit revealing the reality of Christ all along the way.
There may be seasons of leanness, where before true community is reached, Christ is the substance between them, in a less full or balanced way, yet utterly vital nonetheless.
I’d depend on Christ to aid and accomplish through me, loving them as I would wish to be loved, if I were in their shoes.
And I am.
I’m a Mendish too.
Are you ?
EDIT
This sustenance could lead them into finding true fellowship. Hopefully, where a group gathers informally, to learn to live by the [indwelling] life [of] Christ…
(As Fielding’s cousin, I, together with the Melish’s, would enter in reliance on the Lord to depend [on Him] [to] get them there, in His time.)
Bill Johnson once said, “There’s nothing more boring than church, and nothing more exciting than God.” Bill wasn’t church bashing when he said this. He was observing that when it comes to capturing the imagination of man, church services pale in comparison to the person of God. If I have a choice, I don’t want to turn people on to church, I want to turn them on to a Jesus who can touch them with his love and compassion and capture their heart, like He did mine.
If I were Fielding’s cousin, the next time I visited, I’d introduce them to a personal God who interacts with them in their daily lives.
Most people have dreams. But most are unaware that their dreams are messages from God. He’s already speaking to people. What they need is someone to reveal what He’s saying. I would spend a few hours discussing the dreams they’ve had and decode the hidden messages Papa has been sending and perhaps teach them how to interpret their own dreams.
Most people have aches and pains. If my cousins have any, I’d spend time praying with them to be healed. Afterward, if they’re interested, I’d teach them how to heal others by the power of the Holy Spirit. Healing is another way that the reality of Jesus becomes personal to us.
On an average call, I spend about 10 minutes in my ambulance with a patient. In those ten minutes, I have a lot of work to do, but I try to reserve a few minutes to introduce them to the presence of God. I invite Him to bring His presence into the ambulance and touch them.
Everyone experiences God’s presence in a different way. Some report feeling an unusual sense of peace come over them. Some feel tingling, others report a floating sensation or a lightness of their being. But nearly all of them feel God touch them in a personal way.
Most people who aren’t committed followers of Christ haven’t experienced Him in a way that’s personal. I think our time is best spent introducing them to the Jesus they’ve never known. Once people meet Him and experience the reality of His love and compassion, they usually develop a desire to know him in a greater way. All we do is provide an opportunity for them to meet.
One way that I’ve found to capture the imagination of kids is to show them how to stick pennies to the wall by the power of the Holy Spirit. Once His presence is in the room, it’s pretty easy. One day I taught my daughter how to do it. Later that day she taught her brother. That weekend my son and his friends spent hours sticking quarters to the ceiling and learned about a personal God who is interested in the things they’re interested in.
This response can be found on my blog here:
http://mobileintensiveprayerunit.blogspot.com/2012/07/gospel-for-middle-synchroblog.html
Prayer (I know, boring right?). If I could only do ONE thing it would be prayer (along with the yearly visit). Further Watchman Nee says, “if your only going to pray one time about the matter it is better if you do not pray at all.”
Since he is saved and has the fullness of God and Christ within him, prayer would probably be best. Nee also states, “The simpler your salvation is the better off you will be”.
I don’t think he needs instruction since the fullness of God and Christ is within Him by way of the Holy Spirit..
SINCE THIS ISN’T FAIR TO FRANKS RULES,
AS FAR AS PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION GOES:
I would say just continue the practical christian yearly visits.
I know he doesn’t read (and neither do I), but from experience when you are reading Truth out of someones book you do end up reading it fast and easy. He doesn’t have to read these but I would give him..
#1 “The Gospel of God” by Watchman Nee. Since it is VERY simple and mind-blowing spiritual biblical truth a kid can grasp to be smarter than a seminary theologian. This is not the ‘gospel’ but more Gospel 101. The next book recommendation is more the ‘gospel’ for the saved individual..
#2 All seriousness, “From Eternity to Here”. I know it is a big step from not ever being one to read, but once he reads a few pages in The Gospel of God, gets hooked on Truth and finishes the whole book probably within the week or as time allows, then he should be open to pick up on the same lines of Truth and read this one also.
The first opens the eyes of your heart and the second fills your life with love, passion, and true spiritual “fuel” (or a purpose).
-Tom
Boy, this is a tough one and yet it is very true and really happens not only in the US but here in the UK. Would love to see people’s answers on this.
My Blog:
http://scottbiddle.wordpress.com
My answer: I would turn to the Scriptures.
You don’t have to be surrounded by Christians to be a Christian. Jesus says in Matthew 18:20 that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there also. The eunuch in Acts 8 was likely going to be the only Christian around for a while, yet he went on his way rejoicing.
While you do have to have some basic knowledge of Christ to become a believer (because faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of God according to Romans 10:17), you must still continue learning after becoming a Christian. Matthew 28:19-20 records Jesus telling the apostles to do the following 1) go 2) make disciples 3) baptize 4) teach. Note that teaching is listed after someone is made a disciple or baptized. 1 Peter 2:2 says that we should crave the pure milk of the word as spiritual babes.
I guess my advice would essentially boil down to “don’t get discouraged and read your Bible for guidance and encouragement.”
Scott, the guy isn’t a reader and even if he was the bible isn’t exactly an easy read for someone brand new to the faith and knows nothing about ancient hebrew culture. no offense but this strikes me as a pat christian answer and I don’t think it realistically meets the situation.
I would tell Fielding that God is bigger than a building and bigger than a book. I would suggest that he begin praying to God simply to know Him more; that He reveal Himself through dreams, through daily circumstances, through relationships.
I would suggest that Fielding pray also for the spiritual guidance to know what God is asking of him; to know and separate God’s desires and plans from his own and to have the strength to act on those desires and plans even when they seem unrealistic.
I would offer to keep in touch by phone or email so Fielding could touch base with what’s happening in his life. We could discuss scripture without turning Bible reading into a duty. Ultimately, as Fielding felt impacted by God, I would expect he would begin to share those transforming stories with friends and relatives. And as he disciples others, he becomes a disciple.
and I don’t have a blog to participate, but I will like/share it on Facebook for exposure.
I believe Fielding should start by asking our Lord for more of Him. Then make time with family regularly to share their hearts/thoughts…and what they do know about Jesus…doors will open as they seek Him… and His Kingdom… He will do the adding…
We always seem to limit our God. He is able to provide manna for us even in the wilderness. I would suggest that this couple start off spending some time each day, a few minutes at first, in prayer that is from the heart- honest and sincere. I believe that in time Jesus will manifest Himself in their lives in a way that they will not believe possible. He provides for all of our needs and orders our foot steps. He loves us, and as his bride, he will make sure that this couple have what is needed to grow in Him!!
I wouldn’t be able to give an answer, either. I would just listen to them and would be praying for them. I wonder what a good and clever answer would one give to them. Looking forward to it.
I’m not sure his cousin needs to change a thing! If fielding believes in Christ as savior, then he doesn’t really NEED to do anything else.
But, if he really wants to know more about Jesus and the Bible, perhaps his cousin can get him a CD player and the New Testament on CD – in a modern translation that is easier to understand than the KJV. (I suggest only the New Testament because too many Christians get bogged down in the Old Testament and end up with a knowledge of God that is not truly New Covenant.)
Fielding should also be encouraged to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to him as he listens to the Word. The last thing he needs is a bunch of sermon CD’s teaching him the preacher’s own biased view of God.
(This is my opinion, based on my own life experience of having to discard most of my 4 years of formal legalistic dispensational Bible school training and start over with a fresh quest for the real Truth – which I’ve discovered is the person of Jesus Himself, not a book understood intellectually.)
I like the audiobible idea but I might suggest a preloaded mp3 player instead. You could also load a few “Christ Is All” podcasts onto it.
Wow, that is a great question. For me, it would be useful to know if those around him who were not Christians, were of other faiths, agnostics, atheists. Interfaith dialogue is possible to bring others in to the fold and starting discussion. This could lead, at least the agnostics, into believing in Jesus. A new church start could be possible.
I’m not a blogger so I can’t get involved in the synchro-blog but this is an excellent question and there is no easy answer for it. I can hear the pat answers already, “tell him if he’s lukewarm God will spit him out of his mouth!” “tell him to start reading his bible” ignoring the fact that this man doesn’t read books and the bible isn’t the easiest book to understand without the ability to do research and learn the history behind it. as someone who has led many people to the Lord I can tell you I don’t have an answer for this one. the life of discipleship has to be integrated in a christian community and if there isn’t one near him it’s an abnormal situation. there are many places like this in the north part of the united states and that’s why it’s so spiritually black there. maybe someone else can answer this without giving a canned answer.