Different Ways of Convincing Others

Some people persuade and convince others to agree with them by simply stating their different position.

Some people persuade and convince others to agree with them by trying to translate what they believe into the langauge of the person they are trying to persuade. 

The first results in the others leaving where they are and entering into the new thinking domain of the person who convinced them.  They often will learn to articulate their new views by parroting the one who convinced them.  

The second results in someone staying where they are but bringing the new idea into their existing thinking domain.  They often will learn to articulate their new views within the domain where they are in language that is native to where they are.

This is a good explanation of different kinds of churches.  Some churches stand outside the culture and call folks from the culture to leave the culture and join the separate culture of the church.  Other churches want converts to stay within the culture where they are and come up with ways to speak the reality of Jesus into their culture.

Unfortunately, many of these two kinds of churches think their way is the only way, and they don't want to try to appreciate the other.  That is frustrating because they both need each other... and so does the world.

Love for Work as Evangelism

I've often said regarding how to think about Christians sharing their faith with their friends, "We should love people so much that they would understand and be blessed by our faith."  Thinking this way helps us avoid both extremes of (1) being obnoxious and (2) of never talking about our spirituality.

With the passing of Coach John Wooden, it's made me wonder if his example might help us apply this statement to our work.  "He loved his job so much that people understood and were blessed by his faith."  

This may not be something everyone can connect with.  I know many people hate their work, and others are learning how to love it.  But for those who can learn to love their work, or who already do, let your love move you to thankfulness and a vigor to do it well.  Realize that in your work you are imaging God who creates, maintains, and restores the world and let that realization prompt  you to do your work in his name and so that others might see how he does what you do.

This would bless Christians in the church to follow suit.  It would also bless folks who aren't Christians, enabling them to understand and be influenced by Christianity's ability to see that work can be a wonderful gift and blessing.