I believe there is a fundamental difference between religious people and followers of Christ. If you’re not sure which one you are, I’ve devised 5 simple steps to tick off religious people:
1. Be like Jesus and show people unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness regardless of their lifestyle or circumstances (including non-Christians - gasp! Matthew 11:19).
2. Do something awesome for Jesus without getting permission from your pastor (as a pastor, I hereby give you permission to do awesome things for Jesus without my permission; John 14:12).
3. Vote for a Democrat (or a Republican; depending on how your particular religious crowd rolls; Romans 13:1).
4. Skip church one Sunday and go do something fun with your family (key word = “one”; Mark 2:27).
5. Write a blog telling people how to tick off religious people (Ephesians 4:14-16; or leave a comment here adding some of your own ideas to the list & I’ll take the heat for you).
If these steps generate an emotional response in you somewhat akin to having bamboo shoots driven under your fingernails, there is a significant chance you are a religious person. If you can picture yourself doing any/all of these steps without shame or fear of losing your salvation – Congrats! You just might be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Kraig,
In NC we are feeling the heat from the religious people. Here are a few ways to really get the conversations, and mouths, going!
1. Giveaways. What?? Giving away gifts during a church service?? Gasp! Yet, I have seen how much easier it is to invite someone to church when you are able to catch their attention with the lure of a TV, cruise, PS 3, a month worth of rent or tons of other things, food, fun.
The point isn’t the giveaways, but by getting them in the door we have an opportunity to minister to the unchurched in a way that may not have happened otherwise.
2. Inviting the homeless, tired, poor, and hungry into a Sunday morning church service in the Bible Belt. Talk about offending the zealots; oh my, they aren’t showered and shaved, and where is the 3-piece suit?
3. The Pastoral staff wearing casual clothes. This is a huge issue around here. Most people will go broke to buy a new, flashy outfit to wear to church. Dp they think a pastor wearing jeans has less connection with God?
4. Advertise on TV channels like Spike, MTV, and other stations that “belong to the Devil himself”. That will work em up pretty quick.
Anyhow, I enjoyed your blog, yet again, and look forward for more opportunities to show the religious people what God can do when pride is put down and a cross picked up. Miss ya and are praying for ya!
Yep! That ought to do it!!
~Kraig
Call Jesus an Out Law and describe yourself as a non religious Christian.
That should get some bamboo drove into your finger nails.