My wife used to or perhaps still does pray for the salvation of celebrities like Marilyn Manson. For better or worse I have never done this. I think it is interesting to contemplate how we prioritize evangelism. Missionaries have often prioritized the "chief" or tribal leader in a community with great success. Mission organization currently often prioritize "least reached" people groups. Many Christians argue for a priority for the poor whereas others clearly prioritize those homogeneous to themselves. I find it interesting to contemplate Jesus disinterest in pursuing those in power and repeated choice of the lowly person: fisherman, outcast, rebel, poor, sick, adulteress etc. In fact when Jesus had opportunity to engage with those in power such as the Chief Priests or Pilate or Herod he is mostly silent. Paul on the other hand almost seeks out those in power to preach to, although finds his way to them through condemnation and by being arrested rather than seeking audiences specifically. However, while Jesus spoke very little to Pilate, Paul is bent on taking his message to the emperor. Do we seek disciples among powerful leaders? or insignificant fisherman? How do you decide how to prioritize your evangelism? Is Jesus vs. Paul a false dichotomy?
Monday, January 10, 2011
Priority Evangelism
If you could be involved in just one person deciding to follow Jesus in 2011 who would it be and why? Would you pick Marilyn Manson or some similar anti Christian celebrity? Would you pick a politician like Kim Jong-il the leader of North Korea? Would you pick someone with a talk show like Ellen or Oprah? Or someone closer and less globally powerful like your neighbour? or your parents? kids? or spouse? Would you pick the homeless man or woman in downtown Abbotsford? the drug addict? or prostitute? Who would you prioritize? How would you prioritize?
My wife used to or perhaps still does pray for the salvation of celebrities like Marilyn Manson. For better or worse I have never done this. I think it is interesting to contemplate how we prioritize evangelism. Missionaries have often prioritized the "chief" or tribal leader in a community with great success. Mission organization currently often prioritize "least reached" people groups. Many Christians argue for a priority for the poor whereas others clearly prioritize those homogeneous to themselves. I find it interesting to contemplate Jesus disinterest in pursuing those in power and repeated choice of the lowly person: fisherman, outcast, rebel, poor, sick, adulteress etc. In fact when Jesus had opportunity to engage with those in power such as the Chief Priests or Pilate or Herod he is mostly silent. Paul on the other hand almost seeks out those in power to preach to, although finds his way to them through condemnation and by being arrested rather than seeking audiences specifically. However, while Jesus spoke very little to Pilate, Paul is bent on taking his message to the emperor. Do we seek disciples among powerful leaders? or insignificant fisherman? How do you decide how to prioritize your evangelism? Is Jesus vs. Paul a false dichotomy?
My wife used to or perhaps still does pray for the salvation of celebrities like Marilyn Manson. For better or worse I have never done this. I think it is interesting to contemplate how we prioritize evangelism. Missionaries have often prioritized the "chief" or tribal leader in a community with great success. Mission organization currently often prioritize "least reached" people groups. Many Christians argue for a priority for the poor whereas others clearly prioritize those homogeneous to themselves. I find it interesting to contemplate Jesus disinterest in pursuing those in power and repeated choice of the lowly person: fisherman, outcast, rebel, poor, sick, adulteress etc. In fact when Jesus had opportunity to engage with those in power such as the Chief Priests or Pilate or Herod he is mostly silent. Paul on the other hand almost seeks out those in power to preach to, although finds his way to them through condemnation and by being arrested rather than seeking audiences specifically. However, while Jesus spoke very little to Pilate, Paul is bent on taking his message to the emperor. Do we seek disciples among powerful leaders? or insignificant fisherman? How do you decide how to prioritize your evangelism? Is Jesus vs. Paul a false dichotomy?
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