"In Our Own Evangelical Ghetto."
By: Rev. Jack Schneider
“It has always been my ambition to preach the Gospel
where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s
foundation. As it is written: ‘Those who were not told about him will see, and
those who have not heard will understand.’” [Rom.1520,21, NIV]
“We hide in our own evangelical ghetto, and we go to
churches that would only be welcoming to people that think like us.” So writes Jeff Christopherson, vice president
for the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Missions Board.
We might think at first glance that his comment applies
only to his Baptist brethren -- but it doesn’t. The fact is, studies today are
showing that 60% of the non-Christian population has no relationships with
Christians. Few Christians embrace them,
not in neighborhoods and communities, and certainly not across ethnic
boundaries. A non-Lutheran friend of ours calls it a “suburban social ethnicity
that uses shared values and religious consumerism” and nothing to do with a sense
of mission for God’s Kingdom.
Ouch. If they smell like us, look like us, talk like us,
think like 
us and, most importantly, think and
believe the way we do, they’re okay. If
not… Well, there’s another church down
the road for people “like that.” God forbid we should ever become this kind of
dead church. A church like this has lost its purpose for life in this present
world, abandoning Jesus’ call for abundant life here and now while we have both
feet on terra firma. Yes, we live in the midst of strife and sin, but Jesus’
promise and ministry are fulfilled in sweat and blood and tears, not through
halos and harps and clouds.
us and, most importantly, think and
believe the way we do, they’re okay. If
not… Well, there’s another church down
the road for people “like that.” God forbid we should ever become this kind of
dead church. A church like this has lost its purpose for life in this present
world, abandoning Jesus’ call for abundant life here and now while we have both
feet on terra firma. Yes, we live in the midst of strife and sin, but Jesus’
promise and ministry are fulfilled in sweat and blood and tears, not through
halos and harps and clouds.
Both Jesus and John the Baptist had the same message:
“The Kingdom of God is at hand…it is near…it is among you…in you.” Be about the
King’s business! Share the Good News, for the time is coming when the window of
opportunity will not be open for others to hear it and the Spirit can no longer
work on their hearts.
I have the privilege of mentoring Ed Torea in our
Seminary’s Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology program as he and 5 other men
study for the pastoral ministry. How powerful it is to hear how God has led
them across African deserts and Asian deltas to join Ed in this great journey
of service in the Kingdom because someone cared enough to reach across ethnic
and social boundaries to share God’s Word with them.
Lutherans who don’t look or sound German? Wow!
Whodathunkit?!
Just remember: on the horizon is the Lutheran Church of
Ethiopia -- 6 million people. And they don’t look German, either. Praise God!
- Jack
