Two Somewhat Random Thoughts

I have called this the Fellowship Project because it is an "experiment in faith," but I recently read an article that really challenged me about how I view my neighbors and those around me. The article talked about how most evangelism efforts, and many Christians leading those efforts, view people more as "projects" and not so much as people. When I take time to include someone in my day or intentionally invite my neighbors over for worship, or even for a burger, am I looking at that person as my project, or my neighbor? Unfortunately, that's not always an easy question for me to answer. I know how it feels to be someone else's project and it's not that appealing. As I search through Scripture I don't see Jesus ever treating someone as a project. In fact, most of the time people were coming to him, not the other way around. I also see Him sending His disciples out into homes and into communities and even giving them permission to "give up" on people who weren't interested in what they had to say. But as they went they began to see the world and the people of the world the way that Jesus saw them, with love and compassion and with a desire for them to know God intimately and love Him deeply. I have to keep that as my focus as well and not get too tied up with results for this project that God has placed me in.

On a somewhat related thought, I finished reading a book called "I Sold My Soul on eBay" by Hemant Mehta. Mehta is a self-labeled "friendly atheist" who visited dozens of churches and evaluated their services on how they were doing, at least from an atheist's perspective. The book is pretty interesting and sometimes very insightful. There are obviously some things that he disliked that you and I would applaud as believers, but overall the book was a good read. There was one quote near the end that I want to share with you. It hit me personally and I want to give it more thought and examination, especially as it pertains to Fellowship Project.

"...many churches boasted about their rate of planting new churches. However, starting a new church is nothing to be proud of - not unless that church is working to improve and serve its community, including all the people who live there. In situations where Christians limit their help to other Christians, the church seems to be more a religious club than a true ministry to others." ~ Mehta

What do you think?
Blessings,
Shiloh