Evangelical or Esoteric

Ron


Esoteric, Intended for or understood by only a small group, especially one with specialized knowledge or interests: an esoteric philosophical doctrine.

Evangelical, The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word evangelion, meaning “the good news” or the “gospel.” Thus, the evangelical faith focuses on the “good news” of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Christ.
We have made a salvation culture out of an evangelical movement and are failing to impact on today's world, unlike those that have done the job in the centuries that have come before ours.
In business terms, we have been chasing the same market share - the 40% - the red ocean (so-called because of all the blood in the water), while the 60% blue ocean has mostly been left to its own devices.  In doing so, we find that the majority of the church growth we see today is people moving from one church to another, developing a false economy.
This movement leaves us with the big question  “How do we reach the blue ocean?”

What we are doing is not working, and admitting that is the first step to improvement. We need to stop selling a gospel that is focussed on salvation - which is an important part of our message. However, if you are under 80 and relatively healthy, you will only find small comfort in the knowledge that you are going to heaven when you die.
 What would it look like if we empowered and encouraged all to change the world right now, no matter where you are, or what kind of community standing you have? 
It seems that at the moment people who need Christ are only getting close when being part of a drug deal on the church house steps or sleeping rough on the church grounds. Today we find the church leaders have little to do with and no knowledge of the beautiful miscreants that dwell on the fringe in their area. The church leaders do not know their names or their situations, but the streets do, the church will not accept them as a family member but the gangs will. The government programs are falling short for many leaving them in an unexcaperbull downward spiral.  


What would it look like if the church developed a guerilla combat style of making apostles?
Through finding people on the fringes and empowering them to be a child of God right where they are. Just stop and imagine an empowered apostle for God to work through in the middle of some of the worst situations you can image. If we could fan the sparks of the men and women and accept and love them, I believe we could set the whole city ablaze for Christ.
The battle ensues when teaching the gospel to people who have been ‘educated by the streets’ and are often illiterate, battling addiction, mental ill-health or criminality. 
The Fringe Church has had some success in this area. We would love your help in developing new strategies and tools to be more efficient in making disciples and finding people for God to use powerfully.

02 May, 2022

Recent Articles

Share On