” if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8 (NIV)
The definition of leadership is influence. Everyone influences others which means that in some way, shape or form, you are leading someone either toward God or away from God depending your influence on them.
This is the principle behind today’s scripture reading.
There are two things that Christians should strive for in communicating their relationship with God to others. . . . . clarity and God’s power at work within and through them.
This is why I am very conscious never to speak “churchese” or to use to seminary level theological vocabulary. A great goal for every Christian is to be able to communicate the great things of God and of Jesus with clarity in everyday language. A second great goal is to be able to articulate how you see God at work in and through you beyond your own power to accomplish things.
I really thing many are hungry for both of these. In fact I would go so far as to say that in today’s world we need to find ways to say that we are Christians without using the word “Christian”. Why? It’s been slandered so much in the public media, that the world itself may shut off the ability to hear the great news of the Gospel. I think that is absolutely true of the word “evangelical’.
Its a shame that the meaning of such words does get so distorted over time. I sometimes wish there was a way we could reclaim them and properly define them rather than throw them out and have to look for new words! But I guess it is good because as we look for fresh words it somehow keeps our faith fresh too as we find new phrasing instead of tired cliches.
ReplyDeleteFor instance instead of "missionary" my organization referred to me as a "cross cultural worker". There's just too much baggage attached to the word missionary now.
On another note, it scares me when I realize the explanation of the Gospel has even begun to feel a little bit tired and cliche TO ME on occasion. How do I expect to convey the miracle of grace to others when it doesn't even feel like a fresh reality in my own life?