Monday, May 3, 2010

How do I become a Christian?

A few weeks ago I was able a good friend prepare for a local youth revival. My friend was in charge of the after-care program that followed revival each evening. My friend was to make sure youth had the opportunity to talk to somebody about life issues or spiritual matters. In particular he had to be prepared to help kids make a decision for Christ or to rededicate their lives to Christ.
My friend asked me to help him prepare a guide or handout to help the after-care counselors share the way of Salvation with the youth that might respond each night. Since I am a Christian in the Wesleyan-Arminian-Methodist tradition, I went looking for something different from the Roman Road or Four Spiritual Laws. I began my pursuit by going to the United Methodist Church website. I knew I would surely find something helpful there. I was wrong. There was nothing about how to become a Christian. However, there was a plethora of information about how to become a United Methodist and join the United Methodist Church, but nothing about becoming a Christian. I even searched for an answer to my question with the InfoServe service.
Since the UMC.org lacked the information I was seeking, I went elsewhere. I decided to search for information from two of the great Evangelism ministries in the Methodist movement--World Methodist Evangelism and The Foundation for Evangelism. The only information I was able to find there was about starting an Evangelism ministry in the local church. They didn't have any information about becoming a Christian either. But I must say, The World Methodist Evangelism has produced a great pocket New Testament with evangelism information.
So, I was beginning to get really frustrated and surprised. I went to the North Georgia Conference website looking for information as well. Nothing there. I got in touch with a Conference executive and shared my frustration. Much to my surprise, they shared this same frustration. For many years this person has been trying to convince the Annual Conference to post something resource to help people make a personal commitment to Christ. The Conference executive suggested that I compile the type of resource I was looking for. I am in the process of doing that now.
But my quest has brought up some interesting thoughts. When I critically look at the United Methodist advertising and promotional materials about Ten Thousand Doors or ReThink Church, I realize that we are trying to get folks to join an organization. Sadly, I think we are simply trying to recruit folks to help us with our social work. Perhaps this is why the United Methodist Church has suffered from decades of membership decline. We are trying to get people to join in social work instead of kingdom work. I dare say we are becoming what John Wesley feared we would become--"I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out."
We need to continue our work for social change and renewal. We need to continue to be about making the world a better place. However, we need to begin this work by preaching the Gospel of Christ and helping people respond to the Gospel message of love and everlasting life in Jesus Christ. When we become a Christian our hearts change, and from a changed heart social work becomes kingdom work. We go from doing good things for the sake of doing good to doing good things out of hearts filled with a great love for God.
So how do we come to know Christ and have a heart changed by God? In other words, "How do I become a Christian?" Here is what I have been working on for the past few weeks. It is based on the most known verse from the Holy Bible.

For God (perfect in love, power, and majesty) so loved the world (the world God created in goodness and love without sin or blemish) that He gave his Only (there is no other) son (Jesus Christ who was both fully God and fully human, perfect in love, power, and majesty) that whosoever (all people, everybody, there are no elect) believes in him (places there trust in God and God's son Jesus Christ) shall not perish (suffer the consequences and penalty for sin and death) but have everlasting life(spiritual life without end).

So becoming a Christian means we place our trust and hope for living in God who created a good world, sent his only son into a world that turned its back on God by sinning and trying to become like God. Becoming a Christian means we place our trust in Jesus, God's only son, who died for all of us and all of our sin and the sin of all creation on the Cross. Becoming a Christian means we place our trust in Jesus who rose three days later from the dead and by doing so conquered the powers of sin and death. Becoming a Christian means me turn from trying to be like God and living a life that pleases God by following the life teachings of the Bible. We can become a Christian by praying to God and asking God to live in our hearts.

This is what I have. It probably needs a bit more work. But at least it is something.

3 comments:

  1. This is a great post.

    I am actually lead of Media, Research and Social Development at The Foundation for Evangelism. We are constantly striving to find resources that others may need in their local church. We do often cater toward evangelism the most, and it can be an inward looking resource at times.
    But, we strive to find what people need, and this really is a poignant post on how the United Methodist Church has really become an "organization" and not about "helping others experience God's transforming love through Jesus Christ" (this is part of our work statement).

    I will look into this more, and if you wish to contact me, please do at

    rhayes(at)evangelize.org

    Or sign up on our Facebook page and look for Raymond Hayes there.

    Facebook Link to Foundation for Evangelism

    May God's Grace Shine on You
    Raymond Hayes

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  2. Hugh,

    Don't stop searching, seeking, speaking, and advocating for Gospel Truth.

    May Christ's Love be with us all and in us all for the whole world!

    Veritas,
    David

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  3. Hey bro,

    I second David's post. Also, you might check out a book called "Conversion in the New Testament." There is a link here:

    http://www.amazon.com/Conversion-New-Testament-Paul-Twelve/dp/0802842356/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275072495&sr=1-1

    And, I offer a quote:

    "Be the change you want to see." Even if the UM doesn't publish your research, I would encourage you to seek publishing elsewhere. Also, you might ask Dr. Coppedge if his organization has anything that might be helpful. He might even be able to help you get your research published.

    Peace bro.
    Dan

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