Redemption Boulevard A Multicultural Worship Ministry

When I see my neighbor standing outside I’ve been trying to make it a point to go talk to him.  The last few times we’ve talked about World Cup Soccer.

But this last time he talked about one of his business trips back from San Diego.  He was sitting next to a former bank CEO.  The conversation did not start well.

This former bank CEO asked my neighbor what religion he practiced.  When he responded that he practiced the Islamic faith this other man said something like this…”Don’t you know you’re going to hell?”

My trip to China…

Several years ago, when I was in college, I went to China on a mission trip with a Christian organization.  We studied the Chinese language during the morning time and developed friendships during our free time.

Due to security reasons they told us to develop solid relationships with the students there before we shared Christ with them.  I didn’t get the thinking behind this until later, but it did make sense.

Often times, here in America, I think we’re so ready to tell someone what we think and feel before we really get to know someone.

Imagine this scenario…

What if I came up to you in the street and just started talking about multicultural worship?  What if I started going on about how your monoethnic church is in sin and you needed to change this and that?

Would you try to walk away?  I probably would.

Alternative…

What if I started developing a friendship with you first?  What if I got a chance to meet your friends and vice versa?  And then, after a few months I invited you to come to my church?

Would you come?  Would you be more open to listen to what I have to say if we developed a friendship first?

The bottom line…

If we plan to reach people in our neighborhood, then we need to develop strong relationships with the people in our neighborhood.  It doesn’t mean that I’ll share the gospel message on our first meeting.  And maybe not in the second or third, but we’re laying the groundwork to be able to do that.

I want to encourage you to ask questions and listen to the people in your neighborhood before you share the good news.  Otherwise, you might be turning more people away.

What do you think?  Do you think it’s important develop a relationship first?  Do you think you should tell them the Good News and trust God has prepared their hearts to listen to it? Or…is it a combination of both?

Share your story and your life…

Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284

© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.

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