I do not think a church needs a witnessing program.  Hopefully church members are faithfully reaching out to neighbors, co-workers, fellow syudents, etc.  It is of course necessary to be intentional about witnessing and a church would not be wrong for doing so with a program.  Families can set aside a certain night if they do not have jobs where they have natural relationships with nonbeleivers.  The church’s best “program” is encouraging one another, hearing the gospel preached every Sunday, and praying for one another’s opportunities. Another essential is equipping its memebers with a working knowledge of the gospel so it is part of their identity and easily explained when given the opportunity. 

The only need I see for our church to be programatic would be a set goal of how we could organize to reach Old Louisville.  Since few live in the area and fewer work in Old Louisville it may be necessary to set up a “program.” 

As many of you know, I work in retail sales with the general public - mobile communications to be exact. This has afforded me many opportunities to meet a “variety” of people. These are people of different ethnicities, social classes, and personalities.

Some personalities are extremely frustrating and difficult to work with, especially those that are plagued with what I call the “entitlement syndrome.” It’s the assumption that we are entitled to something; in some way we’ve been wronged and are due compensation. Some people are very expressive, and let me know in a number of choice words what and why they are entitled to something.

I shouldn’t be surprised that I face this entitlement syndrome with regularity. According to Consumer Reports Jan. ‘06 edition, “Cell [phone] carriers ranked below services such as hotels, supermarkets, digital cable TV, and even HMOs in terms of how well they please the consumer.” More importantly, I shouldn’t be surprised because I know the selfish, sinful nature of human beings.

It may surprise you when I say this not a post to harp on the “entitlement” attitude of American culture. Actually, it’s an exhortation to self-examination and evangelism. My greatest temptation is to become cynical and self-righteous. I find myself condemning others simply because of their ignorance. I look upon them with contempt because of their disrespect, and I easily notice the “speck” in the corner of their eye.

But what’s most disheartening is the way my heart becomes indifferent to theirs and others lost estate. My sin, self-righteousness, and the “log” protruding from my eye have blinded me to their need of a Savior. My indifference towards those who are rude and disrespectful makes me less apt to be alert and diligent in evangelism.

A faithful brother and co-worker, however, encouraged me with this thought: We as Christians must often be reminded that we are not without sin.  It’s easy to notice the sin of others (How often do you point out your spouse’s sin?) and not our sin against God.  Self-rightousness will snuff out a desire for evangelism but humility and confession before God fuels it.

Don’t miss this article about pastor Timothy Keller in Sunday’s New York Times. Redeemer Pres in Manhattan is simply remarkable. He’s reaching young professionals and artists. They are engaging in mercy ministries. He’s training pastors to plant churches. Should Keller be a model church pastor–Presbyterianism aside?

Many of us know that a Danish newspaper’s political cartoons depicting Muhammad have sparked worldwide violence by Muslims who found these pictures offensive. The latest uprisings have taken place in Nigeria where Muslims have attacked and killed dozens of Christians. However, there is a twist. As reported by the Washington Post, the Christians have retaliated attacking and killing their Muslim neighbors.

In a follow-up article, the Post noted that it is not simply about religion–there are long-standing ethnic and political divides separating these Nigerians. In other words, they are living in an already explosive, volatile situation and are, perhaps, looking for something, anything, to spark an uprising.

Let’s pray that the Gospel is not held in disrepute as the media covers this event as Christians retaliating with violence against Muslims. Let’s pray for peace in Nigeria. Let’s pray that these Nigerians who claim the name of Christ would have wisdom to know how to protect their families from further assault while at the same time protecting the name of their Savior. Finally, let’s pray that these world events would open up doors of evangelism for us. John Piper’s “Being Mocked . . . “ is good fodder for an evangelistic conversation on this topic.