Here's something i've been thinking a bit about lately:
What are our most important ministry tools? We have God fighting for us, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and the Bible- the Word of God. Those are pretty impressive weapons in contending for the gospel, and i would say they trump anything that the enemy has up his sleeve, that's for sure. But what about other resources and materials? More specifically, what do we use to engage the culture and the people around us? One front up here in Stevens Point is definitely the outdoors. EVERYBODY fishes, and if my evangelism did not include some kind of outdoors-based strategy i would literally miss out on well over half of the student population, as environmental issues come far ahead of even humanity issues on my campus. So i'm hoping to buy a boat. And i have a guide license for WI. I want to be able to take out students and men from the community on guided fishing trips and share the love of Christ with them, as well as do discipleship. I know this works, as several people have become Christians while in a canoe with me or standing on shore next to me. Having a boat will serve to multiply that kind of fruitful ministry.
Is this the correct course of action, or am i fooling myself into taking on "unspiritual practices" and attempting to load the gospel into places it shouldn't belong? I worry when my students would rather hang out with non-Christian guys because they have boats or cooler equipment than hang out with me because i don't have any of that stuff. Some of it is their mindset, i know, but i'd love to get rid of any limiting factors if i can. Is that the right way of thinking?
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Right. Wow, three in a row from Kyle. Anyone else? Just kidding. Thanks for the clarification in that last one. I figured you'd want clarification on the "i know this works" part. Stepping too close to the pragmatic line, some might think. Well, perhaps, that's part of what i want to discuss. But what i mean is not that they became Christians BECAUSE i took them fishing. No. They became Christians because of the finished work of Christ and the effectual calling of God. It is His work, from first to last. But we are still called to be "soul winners" for Jesus and to go out into the world heralding the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I've found it doesn't always help to walk up to some guy who i assume is not a Christian and start with "we have a common bond because we are image bearers of God and share a union with Adam." It does seem to attract some attention when i say "i'm on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and love Jesus and college students. It would be a pleasure to go fishing with you and carry on our discussion on the water. What do you say?"
That has given me so many opportunities to have much longer and deeper conversations and build stronger friendships than anything else i've tried. Does this help at all?
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