A post for Christians: how to stop treating people as projects – Part 1 – The Problem

If you’ve read this blog for even a fairly short amount of time, you’ve heard me talk about about making disciples. It is the mission of God’s Kingdom, and yet I have heard many at Faith Church talk about how you can feel very frustrated about making disciples. You agree that it is important, you believe in it, and you really, really want to be a part of it, but most times you feel defeated before you even start.

According to recent stats, our country’s population has gone from 96% Christian in the year 1900 to 73% Christian in 2015. You and I have a great heart and desire to see people become followers of Jesus, and yet so many aren’t interested.  That can create fear and frustration in our minds.

I think of one person who has reached out to a family member countless times, and that family member has responded with “Stop talking, I don’t want to hear another word about this religion stuff!” That is painful to hear, especially because we love our family and friends.  But perhaps despite our good intentions this family member has begun to feel like a spiritual project?

Or you and I might have a desire to reach out to neighbors or coworkers, but our lives are crazy busy, so that there is hardly any time left after we’re done with work and our family schedule. Most days we finish that up as the clock strikes 10pm, and we’re exhausted. Who has time for reaching out?

How many of you would love to reach out, but you feel like it is next to impossible? You wonder if it means quoting Bible verses, winning theology arguments, and praying out loud with people. And all of that leaves you feeling sick in the stomach, and defeated.  You know people don’t want to be your little religious project.  And you don’t want them to be a project either.  You want real relationship.  You’ve found this amazing thing that Jesus offers, and you want to share it.  But it seems to come across as a program.

How would you feel if I were to tell you that Jesus says that his mission is so different from that? How would you feel if there was a better way? A way that fits within the ebb and flow of your real life.  A way that treated people as they ought to be treated, as real people.

In our next section in Luke, Jesus teaches us that better way.  Read Luke 10:1-24 if you want a preview!  And join us at Faith Church to learn more.