Evangelicals Now
<< December 2009 >>

The Commentary

'There's a church in my life'

During November the European Union’s Lisbon treaty was finally ratified. Without any kind of public referendum on this in the UK, a great deal more power has been ceded to Brussels.

But beyond the politics, what kind of entity is the EU spiritually? Some have warned us of the power of Roman Catholicism behind it all. But if a recent trip to Paris is anything to go by it is far worse than that. The same spiritual deadness of secularism, which manipulates all public life here (from government, through education and the media), seems to hold an even greater sway there. Catholicism in France’s capital shows every sign of being in decline. A poster outside many of the churches of a smiling woman declaring ‘There is a church in my life’ turned out to be nothing more than an appeal to the French public for money. The campaign said that anyone baptised as an infant in an RC church belongs to the church and is responsible to meet the church’s needs. It all looked a bit desperate.

The danger of visions

Obviously every evangelical with any love for people and for Jesus prays for the complete reversal of this situation in terms of God sending a revival. We long for the Holy Spirit to bring new life to millions, not only here but throughout Europe. Our hearts simply leap with the vision of how different our homes and our streets and our cities would be if all the people were filled with the love of Christ.

But we must not get carried away with visions. Visions only become realities as Christians pray and take practical steps. In his recent book, Journey (IVP), Alec Motyer tells us that we need realistic goals and practical planning, stage by stage, to see visions come true. ‘The goal is our vision; the next step is our policy… Someone once said, “Ask a Christian minister lately arrived at a new charge, ‘What’s your policy?’ and often the reply will be, ‘To see this church full, without an empty seat.’ No, that’s not a policy; that’s a vision. A policy is how you are going to get there.” Visions are great and indispensable… But our policy must always be kept severely within the bounds of what is practical, realistic and manageable. Otherwise the vital next step is not defined, and will never be taken.’

Practical steps

It is true that Satan smirks with delight when Christians propose grand visions but plan no practical steps towards seeing those dreams fulfilled. They are just setting themselves up for another failure. The story of Gideon should remind us that when God is truly at work, not only does he provide a marvellous vision (Judges 6.14), he also leads us to take practical steps, (Judges 7.15-17).

As we think about outreach this Christmas, what practical steps are we making to get the unchurched to actually be there to hear the gospel? It might come down to the nuts and bolts of offering a meal to an overseas family or a lift to the service for the elderly neighbour.

If we are involved in the Passion for Life mission next Easter, it is wonderful that we have this or that evangelist coming to our area. But people will not come to listen unless Christians take practical steps to befriend them and get them there. Let’s have the wisdom and guts to be practical. How wonderful if that slogan ‘There is a church in my life’ became true in all its gospel reality for many people.

John Benton