My Confusion About Evangelism

Free copy of this book available to anyone from Connell Church of the Nazarene

I finished an awesome book a couple of weeks ago called Evangelism without Additives by Jim Henderson (not to be confused with the creator of the “Muppets,” Jim Henson). The book describes a post-modern, non-confrontational style of evangelism. It sounded like evangelism I could do, a lot easier than approaching people on the street to ask them if they know Jesus. Henderson’s suggestions include using the same stores and restaurants and getting to know the folks who serve you week after week (it’s hard not to use the same restaurants and stores when you live in Connell). He also talks about giving “free attention giveaways,” which he describes as simply treating people as if they are genuinely interesting, not just nuisances or unimportant.

As a pastor I have been trying to emphasize the importance of meeting the physical needs of people in our community. We’ve done a great job of this, buying tons of groceries, clothes, diapers and electricity for families in Connell. Reading the book made me realize that a lot of the work I have done to meet needs has been more selfish than truly in the interest of reaching out. My motivation for meeting needs in our community has mostly been in order to flee from the wrath to come. I have not been all that interested in the souls of those whose physical needs we are meeting. I guess I have been over emphasizing Matthew 25:31-45, the story of Jesus separating the sheep from the goats based on who gave a cool cup of water to the least of these.

If asked to tell you which is more important, a cool cup of water or a saving relationship with Jesus, I would quickly respond, “a relationship with Jesus.” But when asked to meet peoples’ needs I often act as if groceries and baby wipes are more important than salvation. I am much quicker to ask about, and respond to, physical needs than spiritual needs.

I never want the help our church is able to provide families in our community to come with strings attached, but I should be doing more to let people know that we do care about their spiritual needs as well as their physical needs. Henderson offers a lot of non-threatening, helpful solutions for letting people know that I care about more than just their need for flour and eggs. Simply telling people that you will be praying for them (and actually praying) is a great way to let people know that you care about them.

For me there is a difficult balance to strike. I am resolving to care for the spiritual needs of people in addition to their physical needs. I hope I am able to express my concern for peoples’ spiritual needs as genuine concern for the whole person, and not seem as though I’m just looking for sinners to condemn.

February 23rd is coming

In case you don’t have any ideas for my birthday yet:

I dig stools!

Reflection on my first year as a pastor

Connell Church of the Nazarene

I have learned a lot in my first year as the pastor of Connell Church of the Nazarene. I know that I have grown in more ways than just as a pastor, but at this time it is easiest to focus on church stuff. Here are five things I have learned, or that have been confirmed to me in my first year.

1. Alyssa and I have both been honored by the access that people grant us to their lives. It’s humbling to be accepted into intimate family moments, simply because we are in the role of pastor. We consider the moments that we have been able to share grief, weigh options, and celebrate with families in our church to be pure joy. These blessed moments were not in our set of expectations, but have proven to be some of our favorite times this year.

2. I have learned the value of considering my role to be that of steward. God has given me this time and place to minister, and His expectation of me is faithfulness. When I forget that I am steward, and not God, I get stressed out. It’s God’s church, He’ll protect it, and accomplish His will in it. I hope He’ll use me as He does, but I’d rather see God do cool stuff in Connell than get  credit for His work.

3. Related to #2 I have learned the importance of self-care. I started enjoying my job a lot more when I started working out regularly this Fall.

4. I’ve confirmed that I really enjoy studying God’s word. It’s so cool to me that I get to study the Bible every week and share what I have learned with an audience that genuinely wants to hear what God is teaching me. I am so blessed to be in a church that is so gracious as they encourage my growth as a preacher.

5. I am learning the need for a powerful display of God’s love through His people. I need this in all of my relationships and attitudes. As a church we need to become more comfortable speaking the language of God’s love to one another and to the world around us.

Those are five things, in no particular order, that I have been learning this year. I know there is a lot more I need to learn, I’ll probably catch it all in my second year.

Welcome to my blog

This is the blog of Paul Clark. I am married to Alyssa, which is increadibly lucky for me. I am pastor of the Connell Church of the Nazarene, which is still pretty strange for me. I don’t quite know exactly what I’ll blog about, probably stuff that no one will want to read, but I won’t want to forget.

I feel compelled to blog by the fact that I’m a 27-year-old pastor. I’m sure there are better reasons to blog, and if I can’t think of a better reason, I probably shouldn’t do it. But here I am. Someday I’ll write something of substance. Keep checking back until that day happens.