8.12

Talked with a friend about evangelism, specifically the question of proclamation vs. relational. He told me that he found the recent emphasis on relational evangelism frustrating. In some instances, he felt that the relational evangelism holds people back from proclaiming the gospel. It tends to make us dependent on ourselves to be winsome, charming. Almost as if we need to cozy up to someone before we can tell them about Jesus.

In a way I agree. I don't much like an emphasis on any particular approach. The reason I don't like it is that an emphasis on any form tends to be concerned with the bearer of the good news. Evangelism isn't some activity that stands alone. It is part of a broader call to love. The good news begins with God loving the world, loving us. We are set free to love others. The heights of this love is demonstrated when we love those who do not, cannot love us in return.

Evangelism is the sharing of this good news in love. Love is concerned with the other, and so in evangelism, love ought to be concerned with the recipient. The bearer of the good news ought to set aside comfort, preferences, self fulfillment. Love presses us to try to figure out what would be best for the recipient. Let's not get hung up with effective evangelism or our particular gifts. With evangelism like all else, let us be ruled by the law of love.

8.1

Took Jacob out for a surf this morning for his birthday. One of his friends came along. Over the past year or so, I've been taking some of Jacob's friends surfing. There are about four or five boys who routinely go with us. The kid who went this morning is the most dedicated. He happens to also be on Jacob's water polo team - both club and High School. In the past year of countless hours on the pool deck, we've begun to build a friendship with this kids' parents too. They are great people - humble, considerate, kind.

With the potential for a long term friendship for all of us, I'm looking forward to what God will do with the ties he is building.

Taking thirteen, fourteen year olds surfing is not my ideal for "going for a surf." Gotta go pick them up, round them up. Some of them don't know what they're doing. It's hectic. I've grown accustomed to surf being my place, a getaway.

I may have said this before, but it bears repeating. It's not the great sacrifices that keep us from getting involved with people, it's the minor impositions. Not the sword we fear, but the paper cuts. I'm learning that imposition is the pathway to relationship. Friendship. Fellowship. Community.

I've let my son impose on my surf. Because of Christ, I've let him and his friends disrupt my peace. And this morning, I had such a great time sharing waves, conversation, laughs with the boys.