Influencing Culture

At the end of this post you will find a link where you can download a very thought provoking article from Gabe Lyons of the Fermi Project.  It's long, but well worth the read.  You're welcome to just skip my thoughts and read the article, but for what it's worth...

I resonate with so much of the article.  The idea that the church should reclaim it's voice and influence in culture, rather than create a freakish sub-culture is beautiful.  I can't possibly over-emphasize how much I want this type of mindset to permeate the church plant.  I hope the church has an influence beyond simply people "getting saved"--as important as this is and needs to be emphasized.  As Christ followers we should be agents of change, working in a winsome and creative manner to allow the Kingdom of God to be more fully known and experienced.  I also love that the article makes it clear that "real ministry" is not exclusive to those who vocationally work for a church, etc.  If I had a different vocation, I would want desperately to participate in a Christian community that encourages me to influence the vocational sphere God has put me in...believing that it is not by chance, but rather strategic. 

Is this all leading to a big "but"???  Sort of.  For me, I just need to hold the idea of influencing influencers in check.  I need to make sure I don't just spend time with people with some cultural sway.  I also need to spend time with those who (from a human perspective) don't have much leverage.  People who may never be on the cutting edge.  People who are marginalized.  People who are overlooked.  People that Jesus seems to have spent time with. 

It'll be a tricky balance, but one I hope the church plant can work towards.  Being both strategic and intentional without losing love and compassion.  I think the most helpful thing is a fresh dose of reality, as I realize that I was not chosen by God because of my influence, etc.  There is nothing special about me, but yet God "stooped down to my level"--I guess it just comes back to living in light of the Gospel and not making this an either/or situation. 

Download influencing_culture.pdf