Friends

by Dave Harder

I am getting rocked on how much I have perceived people as projects not friends. I was reading 1Peter 3:15 and it says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. Do this with gentleness and respect.”

I have read this before many times to validate my duty to “preach” the gospel to people, to boldly bust into their worlds and share Jesus. BUT it says to those who ask. I have never had a stranger walk up to me and say can you tell me about the hope thats in you… NEVER. But FRIENDS will often will ask that question.

What hit me is its simpler than we have made it out to be… Just be a friend. Whether it is the barista at the coffee shop you frequent, your neighbour, your sports buddies, or a mom you met at the park, if you are a friend you will not have to invite them to “your” church they will ask a question about the hope within you and will ask to COME to church. Natural, authentic. I think its what missional is about. Lets get out of our Christian bubbles and be friends.

Dave Harder is the lead pastor of  The Journey, an Every Nation church plant in Ottawa, and  is the author of Living Missional.