A Secular Creed (Part 3)
This is part 3 of my Secular Creed series, in which I present practical strategies for engaging the secular culture around you. Start by praying and evaluating the gospel’s importance in your own life. Then you will be prepared for the next two, as follows.
#3 Make small talk
Eugene Peterson, pastor and translator of The Message Bible, loved the phrase, "the ministry of small talk."
Peterson meant the everyday banter that is the stuff of life: How's your daughter's soccer team doing? I like the color you painted your house. Did you catch anything on the lower Deschutes? Was your COVID test negative?
We have a young family that just moved into our neighborhood. The father is pretty handy, always working on something around his house. Since I don't have a handyman bone in my body, I'll often ask questions about what he's doing and how he does it. It's not sharing Jesus, but it's small talk that someday may turn into big talk.
Friday shoveling snow there was a banter among the neighborhood. That's small talk that may have big results.
#4 Pay attention to where God may be working
Certainly, a crisis in someone's life is an opportunity to tangibly demonstrate Christ's love and concern. A health issue, a broken relationship, an unspeakable tragedy all can be the opportunity to speak truth and demonstrate love into a person's life.
I found out that an acquaintance had a family member deeply involved in an aberrant religious group. Their involvement has caused a rift in the family. Seizing an opportunity, I told them that this group wasn't following the way of Jesus. I also told them the truth about Jesus, trusting God for opportunities to speak more.
And without being condescending, ask people if you can pray for them.
I was on a rafting trip in Idaho last fall. One day, my guide asked if we could stop for a few minutes while he spread some of his father's ashes along the river. That led to a conversation about his dad (he was a believer) and the influence he had on my guide's life. I asked if I could pray for him. He readily accepted. That led to a conversation about the Lord.
Joe Aldrich, past president of Multnomah School of the Bible, said, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Let's be attentive to where God is at work and act appropriately.
In my next and final post in this series, I will share three more ways to effectively share the good news of Jesus with your secular neighbors.