After the events of September 11, the nation, in its grief, became more receptive to things of a spiritual nature. Churches across the U.S. saw an instant increase in attendance and a significant number of decisions for Christ were reported. However, this window of opportunity following tragedy was short lived. In a matter of a few months, it was all over. The window had closed and things went back to the way they were. Why? These types of opportunities are tied directly to the crisis that created them. When the crisis is over, so is the opportunity for evangelism that results in an increase in responses to the gospel.
Here in the New Orleans area things are a bit different. Our window of opportunity is still open. As we approach three years post Katrina the questions that begs to be answered again is "Why." Whereas the crisis in New York and across the nation abated after several months, Katrina continues her destructive ways in the hearts and lives of the citizens of Greater New Orleans. For reasons that seem to numerous to count, our people still live in crisis and thus retain a heightened sense of receptivity to the gospel. Although it is not as acute as immediately after the storm, it remains because Katrina is still with us.
With the restructuring of BAGNO now underway, we are faced with an interesting paradox. We desire to move to the forefront of the recovery effort of our city while becoming a more united and effective witness for Christ. We see the problems that plague our fellow citizens and we are resolute to do something about it. We are not trying to move towards a social gospel but are embracing the Word of God found in James 2:17 which says, "In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself." Imagine an united group of churches providing an authentic, irresistible witness for Christ throughout the New Orleans area. It is our hope that by the year 2020 we will have played a major role in helping our region through the first phase of its recovery and rebuild.
Here's the paradox. Doing so will no doubt usher in a sense of normalcy in the lives of individuals that live and work in our city as the new New Orleans begins to truly be realized. This strive towards normalcy will ease the Katrina crisis and thus close the window of opportunity now before us. While we embrace the openness of our city our compassion for its plight will lead us to have a hand in bringing that openness to an end. We are essentially pushing the start button on the countdown clock and then racing to plough up as much hard ground and plant as many seeds before the clock reaches zero and "thud" the widow closes behind us. Once closed, the obstacles of normalcy and complacency will again be before us. The questions for us then will be, "how much darkness did we drive back" and "how many did we add to the Army of God." The answers to these questions will determine whether normalcy and complacency will be mountains or mole hills. If we've done our work and fought hard for the Kingdom we will see the gospel continue to move forward, but if we fall into normalcy and complacency before our city does then we will have much to answer for when we stand before God on the Day of Judgement. The window will close and we will be the ones to close it. Let us commit to seeing as much of the city reconciled to God through Christ before this happens. The clock is ticking. The race is on. Ready, set, GO!
Here in the New Orleans area things are a bit different. Our window of opportunity is still open. As we approach three years post Katrina the questions that begs to be answered again is "Why." Whereas the crisis in New York and across the nation abated after several months, Katrina continues her destructive ways in the hearts and lives of the citizens of Greater New Orleans. For reasons that seem to numerous to count, our people still live in crisis and thus retain a heightened sense of receptivity to the gospel. Although it is not as acute as immediately after the storm, it remains because Katrina is still with us.
With the restructuring of BAGNO now underway, we are faced with an interesting paradox. We desire to move to the forefront of the recovery effort of our city while becoming a more united and effective witness for Christ. We see the problems that plague our fellow citizens and we are resolute to do something about it. We are not trying to move towards a social gospel but are embracing the Word of God found in James 2:17 which says, "In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself." Imagine an united group of churches providing an authentic, irresistible witness for Christ throughout the New Orleans area. It is our hope that by the year 2020 we will have played a major role in helping our region through the first phase of its recovery and rebuild.
Here's the paradox. Doing so will no doubt usher in a sense of normalcy in the lives of individuals that live and work in our city as the new New Orleans begins to truly be realized. This strive towards normalcy will ease the Katrina crisis and thus close the window of opportunity now before us. While we embrace the openness of our city our compassion for its plight will lead us to have a hand in bringing that openness to an end. We are essentially pushing the start button on the countdown clock and then racing to plough up as much hard ground and plant as many seeds before the clock reaches zero and "thud" the widow closes behind us. Once closed, the obstacles of normalcy and complacency will again be before us. The questions for us then will be, "how much darkness did we drive back" and "how many did we add to the Army of God." The answers to these questions will determine whether normalcy and complacency will be mountains or mole hills. If we've done our work and fought hard for the Kingdom we will see the gospel continue to move forward, but if we fall into normalcy and complacency before our city does then we will have much to answer for when we stand before God on the Day of Judgement. The window will close and we will be the ones to close it. Let us commit to seeing as much of the city reconciled to God through Christ before this happens. The clock is ticking. The race is on. Ready, set, GO!
No comments:
Post a Comment