Transformation

If we're honest with ourselves one of the reasons that we don't participate or engage in "evangelism" or "discipleship" is because we don't think that transformation is possible. We have a "what's the point?" mentality. This person isn't going to change, so it doesn't matter.

Incarnation –> Reputation –> Conversation –> Confrontation –> Transformation

It doesn't have to be that way though. We can see change and transformation happen in the lives of people. As we practice incarnation (living into a place) and build a reputation, then we will have a platform for conversation. Conversation brings with it confrontation. If we can embrace the confrontation then what happens is transformation.

When we think of transformation we must think small. Most of us want to see large and sweeping transformations take place. We want the one who holds a polar opposite position from our own to do a 180 and be "transformed". The thing is, this isn't the way people generally work. We don't tend to change core beliefs that we've held for long periods of time just because some person tells we should change.

This is really hard for us to get our minds around. We "know" we are right. Why can't this person see that they would be better off seeing the world "my way"? This kind of thinking is especially prevalent among my tribe of evangelical Christians. We "know" we have the way, the truth, and the life all figured out. The world would be better if everyone would just come around to our way of thinking.  It's also prevalent within the context of every tribe (yes I'm looking at you secular humanists).

We don't really have patience for transformation to take place. We want it accomplished now. We want that person over there to convert and to do it now.

I think the best class that I took in seminary was one from Dr Jerram Barrs called "Evangelism and Outreach". It was a class largely based on his book, "The Heart of Evangelism". The thing that most impacted me was the reality that "preaching the gospel" was about meeting people where they were and challenging their heart and mind with the gospel. For some people this would be a call to trust Christ. For others, it is engaging with a particular aspect of their belief system that is a barrier to them coming to faith in Christ. Transformation occurs as we challenge people with truth. That challenge can be big or small. It can bring about total transformation or a small transformation. 

In some sense what we need to do is change our expectations. For the Christian this means that we need to trust that God cares more deeply about the people in our lives than we do. It means that we don't need to try and "convert the heathen". It means that we can simply engage in conversation and confrontation. Transformation will occur. It's the natural result of confrontation. We need to be OK with the small transformations. Each small transformation is one step closer to a larger moment.

When that larger moment comes we may or may not be present to celebrate it. But, we'll have played a significant role and we'll have been faithful with what God has entrusted to us.