Outside - In

I recently had dinner with a woman who has recently come back to our Body. She told me that when she returned, she saw the “same old Believers Fellowship – only shrunken some.”

She went onto explain that how – when she went there years ago – there was a small “core” group of 10 to 15 centered around the pastor and how that group was still intact with some new people in the outer circle and some people hanging on around the fringe. She felt like she was “on the fringe”.

Then she made the following metaphor, that those on the fringe are like hurting or old animals. Easily picked off by the wolves. These people are – more or less – not made to feel really welcome by our Body. Why?

I’m going to go with:

(1) It’s hard. Meeting someone new; taking them to lunch; getting to know their family; allowing them to become part of your life … that’s hard work. It takes time away from the people you are already friends with.

(2) It’s tough. Sometimes, the new people have problems – hard problems. Problems that the easy “all things work together” or “no weapon formed against me shall prosper” won’t easily wipe away. Helping people who have problems means that you have to take on part of those problems yourself. And – don’t I already have enough problems?

So - to sum up: it’s hard and it's tough. That pretty much exempts us (as Americans) from getting involved. Americans are not allowed (by federal law – I understand) to be made uncomfortable. But even some who make themselves uncomfortable are not immune from this.

I know some Christians who can pull a multi-day fast; but will get offended by a man with a nose and tongue ring. Why? How can it be easier to deny your own body food and deny someone else’s a friendly handshake and greeting?

I have this theory – it might be wrong but, here goes. True Unity is harder than Holiness.

Once you have made the decision to live a Holy life, God is there to help you. Sure, you’ll stumble along the way. Yes, you won’t be perfect. But, God will be there with you – to prick your heart and turn you to repentance. However, Unity requires the acceptance of another person. Anyone who wishes can accept God. But, accepting this dirty, stinking, homeless man;or accepting that a Catholic believer might have a Spirit-filled life; or accepting that the guy who is fighting a coke habit and can’t keep a job can be used by God: that takes more than most of us are willing to offer. And by “us” – I mean “me”; it’s hard for me to speak for you.

It takes the love that Jesus showed for each of us on the cross.

So – back to the fringe.

The fringe is real. Every church has marginal, at-risk, hurting “members” who could slide away from where God wants them over the slightest thing. But, what can we do about the fringe?

My friend’s suggestion is that those of us who are strong in the Body patrol the Body. We work the back of our building and we ask questions: “What do you need?” — “How are you today?” — “What can I do for you?” Not what can God do for you. You – let God will work through you. Get to know the people “in the fringe”. Bring them into the “middle”; work to protect them. Think how much easier it will be to keep a sheep from becoming lost than it will be to find him after it gets lost.

And – here’s the hardest (and best) part of all. This is not a “platform” thing. This is a Body thing. My Pastor is only one person and he has his plate full with what he’s doing. However, the Body has lots of people. Some of whom need to be willingly out patrolling the fringe looking for ways to keep these “at risk” believers safe. We need to be actively walking out – in love – the Watchman’s walk; the Shepard’s walk. Keeping away wolves and bears and all manner of attacks.

Our inner circles need to be made larger; our cliques need to be broken up. We need the kind of love that seeks out needs and then – once found – meets them. That’s the kind of love that Jesus showed so often.

Thanks for listening.

Andy