It's not what you know (Part 3 of 3)

So how do we fix the relational dysfunction in the church today? I know that it’s far easier to analyze and criticize and that I run the risk of both if I don’t offer some kind of solution. And the good news is that I think there is one.

Suppose you were God and you had a relational problem with mankind. The two of you weren’t connecting well and you wanted to change that. What would you do? What is a way you could reestablish relationship that would speak volumes to mankind? Do you see where I am going?

Now suppose there was a relational problem with Christians and unbelievers. The two of you were not connecting well. What would you do? How do you effectively establish relational ties with unbelievers? Have you made the connection yet?

To assume that someone will come into a foreign building filled with relationally dysfunctional people and be bombarded with propositional truth in the hopes that they will change their views about God is about as good an odds as playing the slots in Vegas and winning the first time around.

But, if we shed the spiritual suit and take on the form of an unbeliever to reestablish relationship, then we are a lot closer to God’s original plan than we are now. But it’s about relationship. Talking at people rarely works. Talking with people means that the conversation flows both ways.

They say in business it’s more about who you know that what you know. What if we looked at life with that perspective? Forget everything you know. Who do you know? How many people do you know? Who do you really know? And does anybody know you?

The church in the 20^th century has been about being right. Great. We’re all right and everyone else is going to hell. Well, to hell with that. God is about relationship. Love is his language and his desire is to connect with his creation. God has not isolated himself from men. Men have isolated themselves from God and the church is helping to further that isolation. Truth does not bring people to God. People bring people to God.

It’s time we become the people who bring people to God. To do that we have to be in relationship with people. Less church, more relationships. Less programs, more connections. Less teaching, more interaction.

When we begin to model the way Christ connected with people and build relational bridges, we will begin to see the kingdom of God take on a whole new meaning and find ourselves involved in relational situations that reflect the heart of God for others. And then we will fulfill the calling of God to be the Body of Christ and truly live out the truth that it is not what you know, but who you know that makes all of the difference.