The Church in the World and the World in the Church

You’ve just accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Three years from now, do you know how many non-Christian friends you’ll have, on average?

Zero.

There is a constant temptation for Christians to insulate ourselves from the world and settle into a comfortable existence with people who are just like us. And since none of us are immune from this tendency, the leadership team at Harbor has been praying about ways to challenge this trend in our church. With some help from Total Church, we’ve boiled our biblical mission to be disciple-making disciples down to three simple steps that we’re encouraging each member of our church to pursue:

1. As individuals/families, develop significant relationships with non-Christians
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world (1 Cor. 5:9-10)

Just hang out with non-Christian friends/coworkers/neighbors in their own context. Go out with them after work. Go to their parties, clubs, and events.
Be appropriately open about your own love for Jesus, and the difference he has made.
Get ready to be criticized by “religious” people, as Jesus was.

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2. Take the gospel community into the non-Christian contexts you have established
We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us (1 Thess. 2:8)

Along with your church community, pray specifically for people you know.
Look for tangible needs and opportunities to serve above & beyond what’s normal.
Look for natural opportunities to bring up spiritual themes in conversation, gradually climbing the “ladder of offensiveness.”
Look for opportunities to invite the gospel community to join you in non-Christian contexts.

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3. Bring non-Christians back into the gospel community
I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me (John 17:23)

Plan natural gatherings that will include Christians and non-Christians (barbecues, football nights, etc.).
As a gospel community, look for natural opportunities to inject the gospel into conversations and relationships.
When appropriate, invite to church service and/or community group.

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A few Harborites are already committed to champion this kind of missional living in our church, and intentionally build bridges between the church and the world. Keep your ears open for connecting events they plan, and keep your eyes open for the opportunities God gives you to connect with your own corner of the world and bring the church and gospel along with you.