Relevant

Here are some notes from Relevant magazine (issue #33), intermingled with some notes from "Unchristian", by David Kinnaman and the Barna Group.

Transparency disarms an image-is-everything generation.
Perception (by those outside the Christian faith):
Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting people.

New Perception (action steps for Jesus followers):
Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God.

Homosexuality
Perception:
Christians show contempt for gays and lesbians.

New Perception:
Christians show compassion and love to all people, regardless of lifestyle.
- It's about what people do with Jesus, not what they do or don't do with their lifestyle.

Sheltered
Perception:
Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality.

New Perception:
Christians are engaged, informed, and offer sophisticated responses to the issues people face.
- We are responsible for engaging the world. (Matt. 5:13)
- Be fearless. (1Jn. 4:18)
- Don't be offended. (Jn. 16:33)
- Help the desperate.
- Be prepared. (Dan. 1:4)
- Keep a balance. (Jn. 17:14-18)

Too Political
Perception:
Christians are primarily motivated by a right-winged agenda.

New Perception:
Christians are characterized by respecting people, thinking biblically, and finding solutions to complex issues.

Judgmental
Perception:
Christians are prideful and quick to find faults in others.

New Perception:
Christians show grace by finding the good in others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.
- Be motivated by love.
- Be gracious.
- Be respectful and empathetic - "mutual perception".
- Be humble.
- Embrace, don't abandon.

What now? Moving from unchristian to Christian...
Respond with Christ's perspective.
Connect with people and build relationships.
Be creative in communicating the faith, and remain down-to-earth so others can connect.
Serve people.
Be compassionate.

Practice the fasting of:
Freeing the wrongly imprisoned.
Lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Set the oppressed free.
Remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry.
Give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those that need them
Do not hide from those who need your help
(Check out Isaiah 58:1-4, 6-12)

LOVE OTHERS!