Just Walk Across the Room

I have been making my way through a book entitled Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels. When I have finished the book, I will talk about it more. For now, I wanted to focus on one specific section that I have been processing for the last few days.

He provided some interesting statistics about our individual evangelistic fire. When someone comes to Christ, we would assume that the first few years they would be talking to lots of people, trying to convince them to join in the wonderfulness of being in relationship with Christ. What surprised me, however, was that by the eighth year of one's conversion, they have virtually stopped all such conversations. The desire to talk about their faith with non-Christians have all but disappeared.

The explanation that he provides is that Christians begin to surround themselves with Christian friends and immerses themselves in Christian community. Thus, there is no need to go out into the community because Christians are comfortable among other Christians. We get so comfortable with people that think like us that we see no need to go out and talk to non-Christians about our wonderful relationship with Christ.

Reading this made sense, but it is also disturbing. In my trips to and from various places as a pastor, I listen to a lot of radio. We have XM radio, which works out very nicely. I have taken to listening to the Christian radio station that they have on there. Some of it is fine, some of it is not. I did hear one gentlemen talking about how, as a Christian, you may need to find new friends, Christian friends. In this way you can avoid the sinfulness that can come out in your non-Christian friends.

On one level, I would find it difficult to sever friendships I have had for years simply because those friends are not believers. I also feel called to continue our friendship so that one day I might be able to have a spiritual conversation with them and have them think about the role Christ can play in their life.

So where am I going with all this. I would like to think about the following:

• Do you challenge yourself to minister to those outside of your own church community?
• Are you willing to eventually talk to your non-Christian friends about your faith when the right opportunity arrives?

I challenge myself to do this more often and I would hope that you will, too. God bless.