One Town, Two Communities

hey everyone, here is my latest blog as it was published on the baptist standard website @ http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11347&Itemid=9

It's a blessing to see two churches in the same town reaching two drastically different groups of people.

We have been working with Alan Reed and the incredible team of people working with Pursuit Church getting started in Fort Collins. It has been very interesting to see the difference in the part of town Pursuit is reaching, versus the area that the other church we have worked with, Inside Out, has been focusing on. We have learned to adjust to the suburban, family-oriented south side of town from the more New Age, collegiate north side of Fort Collins.

What a blessing to work with such unique churches reaching almost opposite communities within one town!

Having such a well-rounded view of ministry to all different ages, has reminded me of the beauty of how there is no specific type we must conform to as the body of Christ. God has uniquely equipped each of his children to reach people of every walk of life, whether homeless, college students, business professionals, moms, hippies, artsy people, musicians, athletes, Goths or whatever. All are equal in the eyes of the Lord. Jesus does not want them to become what much of the world may view as the squeaky-clean Christian “type” before they can come to him. He wants them just as they are, with all their quirks.

In the same way, we do not need to morph our interests and hobbies to fit into one specific missionary mold to be effective in outreach. In fact, I would say conforming that way would hinder our witness, since what makes us tick probably does the same for someone else. And that provides common ground on which to build a genuine friendship that potentially develops into sharing Christ.

It gives me great peace knowing that I do not have to be good at everything—just allow God to use my individual interests and talents to reach those with whom relate.
I am not saying that we are limited to being a light to only those who are like us, because God breaks down those difference barriers daily as his people seek to be light to the lost. However, there is something special about meeting others when are in our element that allows nonbelievers to see that Christians are indeed real and unique people. I do not think that many would argue against the simplicity of doing what we love and meeting others as we go, forming relationships that will plant a seed in someone’s life and possibly even bring them to Christ. There is no formula, and the organic connections that are made through all different people make up one body. For that, I am thankful.
As it says in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” Just as Fort Collins may be two distinctive communities making up one town, all groups have place within the all-encompassing, impartial body of Christ.