From the Pastor’s Desk – July 2023

Mona, Patty, Sue, Karen and I recently attended a seminar “The American Religious Landscape: A Deep Dive Into the Date,” with Dr. Ryan Burge.  Dr. Burge introduced us to the “Nones,” those who identify religiously as “nothing in particular.”  This group makes up a whopping 30% of our population!  He describes a large portion of “Nones” as coming off a train, standing on the platform with no idea where to go next.

One important takeaway from these sessions is that the “Nones” are simply looking for answers, direction, and a caring community.

If we are going to be effective in reaching people for Christ we are going to have to start showing people that we really care.  Evangelism and missions must be relational in nature.  There is no record of Jesus walking up to someone out of the clear blue sky and saying: I am the Messiah and then him beginning to show his care for them.  No, he showed his care for them first and then he revealed himself to them.

A story is told about a man who was on a luxury liner and suddenly he falls overboard.  He can’t swim and in desperation he begins calling for help.  Now it just so happens that there were several would be rescuers on deck who witnessed the incident.  The first man was a Moralist.  When he saw the man fall overboard, he immediately reached into his briefcase and pulled out a book on how to swim.  He now tossed it to him and he yelled: Now brother, you read that and just follow the instructions and you will be alright.

The man next to him happened to be an Idealist.  When he saw the man fall overboard, he immediately jumped into the water and began swimming all around the drowning man saying: Now just watch me swim.  Do as I do and you will be alright.  The person next to him happened to be a member of the Institutional
Church.  He looked upon the drowning man’s plight with deep concern.  He yelled out: Now, just hold on friend.  Help is on the way.  We are going to establish a committee and dialogue your problem.  And then, if we have come up with the proper financing, we will resolve your dilemma.

The next man on deck happened to be a representative of the school of Positive Thinking.  He yelled out to the drowning man: “Friend, this situation is not nearly as bad as you think.  Think dry!”  The next man on board happened to be a Revivalist.  By this time the drowning man was going down for the third time and desperately began waving his arm.  Seeing that, the revivalist yelled out: Yes brother, I see that hand, is there another?  Is there another?  And finally, the last man on deck, was a Realist.  He immediately plunged into the water, at the risk of his own life, and pulled the victim to safety.

My friends, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  There are plenty of “None” in Red Bud hoping to find a community that cares.  We need to care.  We also need realists in the church willing to plunge into the water and go to work.

Amen?

As always, I welcome your comments,
Pastor Cory