Help write my new book and provide me feedback on this article. Please comment at the end after reading this article! – Kent
When the spiritual terrorist, Saul, met the Master on the outskirts of Damascus, Saul discovered he was blind. Some people, against the Christian movement, apparently need to be shutdown to get their attention.
Saul was instructed to go to Straight Street, to the house of Judas from Tarsus. He must have been led there by his companions. Do you think they were aware that they were leading Saul to the calling of a missionary? Probably not.
You can point many people to Christ and many Christians to the mission of the movement. And, really, you have no idea. You never know what God will do with people. It doesn’t matter. You’re not in charge.
Meanwhile, the Master spoke to Ananias, a resident of Damascus and a disciple, a follower of Jesus. The Master told Ananias to go and pray for Saul to be healed. Ananias responded, “Really? Are you kidding me?”
How would you feel, helping a terrorist? Saul’s ruthless reputation was well known. Believers were terrified of this man who was known for his “reign of terror” against the believers in Jerusalem (Acts 9:13-14).
Why are so many Christians in churches risk adverse? Most people in business are more likely to take risks — for money. Get believers in a church meeting and it seems they leave their spiritual backbones at home. What happened to the Christian protocol, “Faith is the assurance of things not seen”? (Hebrews 11:1) If you are so afraid to risk, so petrified to fail, what does that say about your faith?
If you are convinced it is God’s will, will you move forward, blind of the risks, challenges and, oh yeah, the cost?
Ananias sucked it up, (that is, trusted the Master), and Saul got his sight. Would you pray for a blind man to be healed? Really?
Help write my new book and provide me feedback on this article. Please comment below! – Kent
For laypeople–Because people are afraid of losing their friends if they take risks that their friends may not approve or be willing to take the same risks. Because people cherish comfort over risk.
For pastors–Because they could lose their jobs. I did. End result of our Long Range planning after Church Dr. consultation.
For synods–Because they could lose money and thus their jobs. So in my experience, money is dictating mission.I have observed more time and energy being spent appeasing negative people who are risk adverse rather than supporting those who are willing to risk reputation, time and money on the gospel. Synods are protecting their own interests by keeping the limited money flowing into the synod, therefore they must appease those who give the money, many of whom wish to retain the status quo. The top down system days are coming to an end. Conflict results when people are risk adverse to the spirit’s movement.
These are just my opinions from my own personal experience. I realize this may not be true across the board.
Jeanne – Thanks for sharing your experience. I have passed them along to Kent Hunter. ~John with Church Doctor Ministries.