By Janie Sjogren
Perhaps our motto should read, "Small Things Done with Great Love Are Changing the World" because that's what's happening.
We get reports from pastors, lay leaders and ordinary Christ-follower / believer all over the world who have discovered the power and impact of "showing God's love in practical ways."
To get a complete understanding of Servant Evangelism, you should order and read Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren, founding pastor of the church that grew from a handful to an average attendance of 7,500 in just 15 years. Such things happen now and then around the country as one reads contemporary American Church history. What makes this story unusual is that this happened in Cincinnati, Ohio, a city that has long been known for its in-your-face unfriendliness! Mark Twain spent a good deal of time in this city on the Ohio River and often commented even back at the turn of the century about how rude people were. When this church was launched Cincinnati was ranked as the 3rd most unfriendly city in America. After serving about 12 million people in those 15 years the tone of the city literally changed. That change had made a permanent impact on the city in innumerable ways.
Servant Evangelism connects people to people in a natural, easy, low-risk, high grace way.Who doesn't like to be given a cold Coke on a hot day? Especially by someone who is smiling, happy and having fun.SE wins the heart before it confronts the mind. A small act of kindness nudges a person closer to God - often in a profound way as it bypasses ones mental defenses. The average Christ-follower / believer is willing to hand a stranger a can of cold Coke on a hot day (low risk). The high grace is seen in the typical reaction. "Oh, thank you!" "This is so nice!" "I can't believe this is for free!" And, "Why are you doing this?"Kindness builds the bridge for the person to receive a touch of love from God.It's simple, practical, effective, inexpensive and fun!
Janie Sjogren is the "better half" of Steve Sjogren. Together with Steve, she has been bringing the dimension of outward-focused living to the church-at-large.
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