Act 2:5-8 New Life Version (NLV) 5 There were many religious Jews staying in Jerusalem. They were from every country of the world. 6 When they heard this strange sound, they gathered together. They all listened! It was hard for them to believe they were hearing words in their own language. 7 They were surprised and wondered about it. They said to each other, “Are not these Galileans who are speaking? 8 How is it that each one of us can hear his own language?
These verses were part of Men's Group this evening. The one I have made larger is one that hit me in the face as it was read. It caused me to wonder if we as the Church are speaking in "the language" of those we are trying to meet.
I wonder if we use words that are a code for us insiders. Not always as an attempt to keep the not-yet-christians or any other new comer in the dark but simply cause we have always used the terms; "born-again, second blessing, save, washed in the blood" to name a few.
I also wonder if we need to reach those that are not-yet-christians that are say under 45 years old and younger if we need to change our language? How we present the gospel; both in words and also in other ways; which I, as a 50 something former pastor turned hamburger flipper, am not sure I can innumerate. Change our time frame; both hour and day? What makes Sunday between 9 a.m. and Noon the time for church? Why not Friday at 7:52p.m. or Saturday afternoon or Tuesday evening? Change our method of presentation? Is there a way to do the sermon as a text or email that then can be discussed at the "worship time" (even that phrase "WORSHIP TIME" is our/my language.) These and many other thoughts go wandering through my wondering mind this Wednesday evening between 6:00 p.m. and 7:29p.m. followed by Choir practice.
These verses were part of Men's Group this evening. The one I have made larger is one that hit me in the face as it was read. It caused me to wonder if we as the Church are speaking in "the language" of those we are trying to meet.
I wonder if we use words that are a code for us insiders. Not always as an attempt to keep the not-yet-christians or any other new comer in the dark but simply cause we have always used the terms; "born-again, second blessing, save, washed in the blood" to name a few.
I also wonder if we need to reach those that are not-yet-christians that are say under 45 years old and younger if we need to change our language? How we present the gospel; both in words and also in other ways; which I, as a 50 something former pastor turned hamburger flipper, am not sure I can innumerate. Change our time frame; both hour and day? What makes Sunday between 9 a.m. and Noon the time for church? Why not Friday at 7:52p.m. or Saturday afternoon or Tuesday evening? Change our method of presentation? Is there a way to do the sermon as a text or email that then can be discussed at the "worship time" (even that phrase "WORSHIP TIME" is our/my language.) These and many other thoughts go wandering through my wondering mind this Wednesday evening between 6:00 p.m. and 7:29p.m. followed by Choir practice.
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