My Thoughts on The Next Christians

The Next Christians is a book that I found very satisfying. While most books I have read simply give something new to chew on, Next Christians also on several occasions made me yell inside my head "EXACTLY, THAT IS TOTALLY HOW I FEEL OR HOW THAT THING IS! IM SO GLAD SOMEONE ELSE GETS IT!" You see I believe The Next Christians, or TNC, accurately explains the heart and mind of today's christian. The way it is written is almost like a field manual, not necessarily telling someone how they should be, but explaining how Christians are developing in this age.

Gabe Lyons main theme in this book is restoration. He explains that Christians today are not the type to hide from the culture or to oppose it, but instead to restore it with Christian principles, even if that means going through secular channels. To give you an idea of what this means, one story Lyon's tells is about a man who went to a pornography convention to bring Jesus to prostitutes and try to help those who have become addicted.

TNC explains what it means to be a restorer in contrast to how christians are otherwise viewed. The book talks about Separatist christians and cultural christians.

Separatist christians would be the ones create their own separate "christianized" culture or stay far away from secular things of this world. you may also think of an evangelist as a separatist christian. Lyons speaks about Bill, a new neighbor in town. Bill was doing what he thought best by placing Gospel tracts in trick or treat bags Halloween night. The parents came together and found out it was him and they distanced themselves. Although he was trying to build bridges and share the gospel, Bill had actually built himself a wall from the very people he was trying to connect with.

Cultural christians would be the opposite. They blend in too well, helping out in soup kitchens and saving the planet, but failing to make Jesus central to their work. Or, these people are "closet christians". They go to church and love God, but then decide not to engage their faith in day to day lives. Or, perhaps the church has focused on being too culturally relevant and comfortable, failing to bring the true potency of the Gospel to its congregants.

These viewpoints that TNC brings forth I really enjoyed, and expands on what it means to be a restorer in in SO many more ways. To find that out though, you'l have to read the book yourself. Im only human so at this point I will just give you a few more tastes of what I highlighted and explain what it meant to me.

But today, I sense something different is happening. I see evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in a new way. He's moving through people where they work and through one-on-one relationships to accomplish great things. They are demonstrating God's love to those around them, not just with words, but in deed.

This quote was from the famous Evangelist Billy Graham. Even he sees a change in todays culture and how the Christian Life is transforming.

Jesus discloses not one instance of fearing contamination, whether moral or ritual, by associating with the wicked or impure. Rather, he believes that his purity can rub off on them, and he hopes that his magnanimity toward them will lead them to heed his call to discipleship.

This quote is talking about why christians shouldn't feel separated or fearful of the world, we are called to be like Jesus and bring healing and restoration, not to hide in a spiritual nuclear bunker.

Now, put restoration back into the story. Instantly, you've created millions of jobs for all the unemployed and bored Christians in the church – jobs they can get excited about… In this expanded model everyone plays in a central role.

This quote is talking about what happens when you realize you're not just waiting saved and waiting for heaven. there are more spiritual jobs on this earth than evangelism, and this model the Body of Christ is full and completely working.

...Instead, Jamie was provoked to engage he rolled up his sleeves and got involved in the messy work of restoration.

The Jamie this quote is talking about is Jamie Tworkowski. Jamie T. is the founder of To Write Love on Her Arms. TNC recount's Jamies story of bringing healing to a young woman at the verge of a drug overdose, and how him and some friends loved on her and nursed her back to health. You can read the full story here.

This quote spoke to me because it reminded me of a choice I made to get involved and engaged and very hands on in the difficulties in someone else's life. It felt odd and difficult at first, but seeing stories like this make me feel like I made the right decision and God was pleased with it as well.

When confronted with the corruption of the world – Christians ought to be provoked to engage, not offended and withdrawn.

This is why God became a man in Jesus Christ. God's holiness did not prevent him from entering our messy depravity; if provoked him to show up.

These quotes talk about the difference of being offended vs. provoked.

Instead, Grace is active; it seeks out, responds, and loves deeply. The next Christians "Grace first "mentality allows them to get involved in the messy process of restoration of people and places most Christians would normally avoid.

Engaging the darkness takes courage and conviction it requires a willingness to give up the pursuit of comfort.

...part of service to God is bringing signs that point to his kingdom and tangibly expressing his love to those in need – even when the measurable result of conversion can never be tallied.

This quote talks about creations that don't point to God directly, but still show the Goodness of God's love and restoration for the world. Examples are To Write Love On Her Arms and Paste Magazine.

The beauty of the gospel is found in both proclamation and demonstration. Neither comes first; neither come second.

...partnering with God to fill the earth – creating culture that affirms his values of goodness truth and beauty.

Most of the time, the ideal space to begin "creating" is the one you already in habit… Often when Jesus and encountered others, they were transformed but not uprooted.

Gods gifts points to God's purposes. And when we allow those towns to intersect with the burdens God has placed in our hearts, therein lies our calling. Where your gifts and natural skills collide with your deepest burdens – you have calling.

The next Christians must be where the operating in the center of the world requires a deep anchoring in Christ, a grounding that is achieved all the way through the means of unbecoming to most.

This is crucial to living in the "Next Christian" Lifestyle. If one is going to invade the culture, grounding needs to be consistent in prayer, scripture, and community with fellow believers.

These next few quotes could almost be in a blog post by itself. Being present is SO important in today's culture of screens and distractions. Ive been trying to get better at this, being fully engaged and mindful about who I am with and what I am doing. If I am spending time with my wife, I am giving her my full attention so she feels treasured. If I am with my nieces, I am going to focus on them and love them the best I can to be a good role model and loving uncle. If I am speaking with a group of friends or an individual, I want to be fully engaged and present in the conversation to be the most help and listening ear I can be. Yes there are times that I will be distracted and I cant be that intense all the time, but I am seeing when it IS important... Anyway, check out these cool quotes..

...This concept comes from God's choosing to be embodied through Jesus, to enter into his own creation and relate to his creations by being present with them. That's what I'm trying to mimic.

The next Christians are living in the moment, practicing being fully present, always listening, always aware of the need sitting right in front of them that go easily overlooked by others. They counter the numbness that overwhelms our society by being conscious of their surroundings and committed to solving problems that present themselves, often initiated simply by their showing up.

A few good quotes on prayer...

The practice of prayer is pastoring the next Kristen to remember who it really sits at the center of their lives and faith. Prayer, by its very nature, settles the soul… The deeper benefit is the way it changes the one doing the asking.

Prayer humbles and postures the next Christians to recognize that they aren't in control or the primary ones responsible to "make it happen." It causes them to pause – just long enough – recognize that their power comes from their connection with God and the working of His spirit in their own lives.

At this point I am am shocked at how much I highlighted in this book. It was really an eye opener! More quotes on community...

There's something special about communities that can soothe the brokenness in our personal lives. If you think about it, God could easily heal our ills and solve our problems. At the very least, he might eliminate them all together from the lives of His most devout followers. But apparently, that's not his way. Instead, we need support of others inside the context of a Christian community...Restoration continues through the work of the church – we are His hands and feet. And that paints a more beautiful portrait of his redeeming work than if God simply eradicated problems without our effort. It seems he would rather see us endure suffering together than see us thrive alone.

The quote was a bit long to put, but the book also talks about the Clapham circle and how that community chose to be close together and tightly knit in order to bring about real change in the world, most notably ending slavery in England. I think God wants us to act in a similar way with each-other to bring about His kingdom.

By recovering the Gospel the next Christians are befriending people through authentic relationships where love is the only agenda. They trust God to work in outsiders lives when He's ready, using their unconditional love, grace, and acceptance as the basis.

I think this is SO important. It can be easy to see an identity issue or social problem in another person that we make that main focus. While God does dislike such things in His children, I think we are to be much more concerned with how we are representing Christ and loving the people God places in our path. A platform of love and acceptance needs to be built before lovingly engaging difficult personal issues.

Some quotes about reaching people...

In the lives of the mistreated, underrepresented, and left behind of our world, the Christian response by solving real problems. Their actual social justice demonstrate to the world that Christ cares about the here and now – not just the afterlife.

The perception (of Christianity) will only change through consistent exposure overtime to Christ's followers who take seriously their call to proclaim and embody the Gospel in everything they do, everywhere they go.

They know that today's typical outsider aren't likely to be reached through persuasive argument but instead through first experiencing an authentic Christian: someone who's going to roll up his or her sleeve and restore alongside them.

Wow that was a long one! If you got this far, Kudos to you! I hope you will consider reading this book for yourself and get just as much if not more out of it as I did.