Secular European culture can be a scary place to do ministry. Ministry in a post-Christian, Postmodern world is perhaps not for the faint at heart. On second thought, this rebellious and cynical world is where the Lord himself served, and he has has called upon his disciples to follow his example. He even prayed for us in this endeavor: "I do not ask that you take them from this world, but that you keep them from evil." (John 17:15) We believe our ministry involves more that constructing 'Christian outposts' in our city where a few can flee to for safety. Rather, we are about engaging and challenging the dominant culture, involving ourselves in the life of the city, and seeking the welfare of our city in order to allow our light to shine before men and women. Our ultimate goal is to see new Gospel-centered communities established in the city which resemble the diversity of the city, proclaim the Gospel to the city, and serve the city.
Our team is engaged in doing what more and more North American evangelical ministries are doing-- we have steered away from an 'attractional approach' of doing ministry--people in France are simply not attracted to the 'church' in a post-Christian and Postmodern milieu Instead, we regularly "go into their world." Secular people do notice that true followers of Christ are different-- when we are doing what we are called to do. When we love each other and love others, skeptical people notice. When we seek the welfare of our city, secular people notice. When we strive to protect victims of social and moral injustice, atheists and agnostics take note. When we affirm human flourishing (not only in the spiritual but also in social, intellectual, and emotional aspects of life), our enemies are taken aback and are forced to reconsider their ideas about people of faith. Most have never before met a true disciple of Christ. We are literally the Gospel to many people in our city. When we open our homes not only to our family in Christ, but also to those on the outside, we communicate our interest in and concern for others. So hospitality is also a key element of our ministry in Toulouse.
When we invest our hours and our lives in institutions and associations of our city (rather than trying to create a Christian version of everything), we end up rubbing shoulders with people who have never before met a Christ follower, and they are fascinated that people of faith can also be thinking, socially conscious, and caring people. And they begin to ask us questions about us, our team, our beliefs, our God.
[photo: new Chinese believers (Michael married this couple last August) and their Turkish friend (not yet a Christ-follower) share a light moment in our home. Hospitality is essential to incarnational ministry! ]
Presently we have relationships with five institutions in our city, ranging from an after-school cultural centre for adolescents to a women's shelter. Relationships with the staff of these secular institutions have built trust and given us occasions to explain our faith. We are always very up front concerning who we are as Christ's disciples. These secular people see our actions speak of authentic love and a willingness to serve, and this builds bridges in our city. Today, Christians in much of the Western world have lost credibility. We believe that by seeking the welfare of the city we not only build credibility and restore trust, it also is the most effective way to engage meaningfully with those who need to hear the Gospel.
It is encouraging for us to hear that increasingly churches in North America have 'got' this message. Grace Community Church and their pastor Eric Hess states in their church's Philosophy of Ministry: "Engaging Culture--for Jesus started with the incarnation. That is where we need to start...we need to be intentional about going to the people we are trying to reach. This is very different from the more common approach that is based in attractional methods--making it comfortable, contemporary and engaging enough that people will want to come--hoping that once they visit, they will want to return. Jesus never marketed a message that attracted people to him. We must learn how to first live the message we are called to proclaim. We are called to live missional/incarnational lives just like Jesus; ministry and life where it happens--not in a sanctuary. We expect ministry to happen 'out there' as we engage with people in their context who are then invited into a relationship (not a church program)."
Among our ministry commitments is the concept of seeking the welfare of the city (Jer. 29:4-7) even as we live as exiles in our city of Toulouse and strangers in this world. By doing this we have seen multiple avenues open to us for sharing the hope we have in Christ Jesus. If you wish to find out more about ministry, our growing, transnational team, and our multiple-project team ministry, contact us at Toulouse@efca.orgThanks for your prayers for our ministry!
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