Outward Focused Church - Dave Workman

The concept of an outwardly focused church, I basically agree with it.

But it is easier to give up stuff, give away stuff than it is to tell people about Jesus.

Most people will take freebies without comment. But if you tell people about their need for a savior you are more likely to get a negative reaction, get rejected.

Workman spoke of a 75% rejection rate. I think it is probably higher. I don't think he really meant that as an exact number. He was just making a point.

It is good to get reconciled to that. It's easier to say, harder to do.

For example, as soon as I left church I went to get Subway sandwiches to take home. I went to the one at 2200 N. Main. Know that area? There was an old seemingly homeless man sitting in front but away from the windows so the employees cannot see him. He had a long white beard.

He asked my to buy him a small sandwich. I muttered something and told him no. Then I went inside and told the man on duty. There seemed to be only one employee. He said he would deal with it as it might discourage customers.

So I guess I immediately went out and failed. I keep thinking about the deserving poor, whatever that is. Sure I should remember pure grace and give.

But as I think back on it the underlying reason I said no was that I was unwilling to witness. I still think that all this giving with witnessing is dead.

I found it too hard to open my mouth and tell him about Jesus. I could have asked him if he had accepted Jesus as his savior. And if so quote him 2 Thes. 3:10 - "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat." Now I am being facetious here. I could not have done it without being angry.

Workman spoke about seeds. Jesus threw many seeds and without discrimination. I like that. But again it's easy to say it, hard to actually do it. I need to act more with that than I do.

Yet if I had spoken I would have been angry. I did not want to be angry. So I clammed up and went inside. Even if I had bought him food I would have been angry.

You can criticize me if you wish. I acknowledge that I was wrong. But will I do better the next time? Probably not. I am sorry, maybe not repentant.

He was still there when I came out. I nodded to him as I left and he said nothing.