2.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION
You don't work at a church and likely never have. But, you sense a unique spiritual responsibility over your domain. Whether you're in business, government, education, the arts, or any number of various spaces, you are committed to seeing the reality of the gospel transform that sphere.
You have a deep love and empathy for your colleagues/peers. You get their struggles and understand their dreams. How's this possible? Because you're in it, right alongside them. Yet, you approach life's purpose and questions from a unique angle--through the lens of Jesus Christ--and people know your life is different.
People who don't go to church may even confide in you about spiritual questions. Some may even call you their pastor. You've probably found yourself offering to pray for people in or outside of work hours. You also find and activate other Christ followers who may not have recognized their work as you have--a latent opportunity for gospel personification. You invite fellow Christ followers to pray with you for your sphere and witness to colleagues/peers.
You also have an uncanny ability to rally people from your sphere. People trust you (and have fun with you!), and they'll show up if you send the invite--even if it's an event outside of work hours, people! This is a distinct capability even your pastor doesn’t possess.
It's obvious you care for the people in your sphere, but you also can see what could be. You tell people there's a greater purpose than designing shoes, grading papers, or answering emails. You invite them to explore the person and teachings of Jesus (in both nuanced and bold, creative and simple ways). And…over time, they begin to trust you. You cast this compelling vision of life through 1:1 conversation, in small groups, at events, and yes, even in emails.
Your unique role in the gospel movement in your city involves recognizing your unique call to be a gospel presence in your sphere. You are purposefully placed in this sphere with special expertise and authority to share God's love with your co-workers, managers, clients, and vendors than any pastor could ever be. Are there groups of Jesus followers who are already connected and meeting in your sphere? Have you checked them out? It's critical to find other like-minded Christ followers in your sphere to stay encouraged, create collaborative potential, and support existing efforts to be a collective witness in your sphere. Don't carry the weight for your sphere alone.
…and if there aren't any crumbs leading to a like-minded gospel change agent, that's your invitation to do something! You can only create more connectivity from here, right?! We've heard leaders say that when they found just one other gospel change agent in their context and started praying together, things started moving--you just have to keep your eyes open.
Another great idea is to ask your pastor if he/she knows of other people at your church in a similar place as you. There might be other leaders in your church community who want to see the gospel impact life outside the church walls. You may be surprised of the like-minded people who work in a different sphere but share the aim to be gospel change agents. The true power comes when a strong network in one sphere (like business) links up with another network (like pastors' groups) to impact an issue together (like foster care).
Personal Questions to Consider:
Do I view myself as a change agent for the gospel in my sphere even though I'm not a pastor or ministry leader? Why or why not?
Is there one other Jesus follower in my sphere that I know and could link up with?
Who do I influence that my pastor or church doesn’t? How do I want to leverage that influence for good?
What is one pain that people in my sphere feel that I want to see changed? What is one thing I could do this month that could move toward this aim?
Get connected to learn from Community Champions in gospel movements across the country.
Here are a few just to get things started:
How Consumer Insights Strengthen Gospel Movements feat. Jessica ChinStop Fearing Failure. Live Your True Identity feat. Jamie WinshipHow the Founder of Sackcloth & Ashes is Changing the Stigma of Homelessness feat. Bob DaltonWhat's the Deal with Millennials? feat. Grant Skeldon