Do we really need existing community networks?
10 Sep 2016There’s a lot of talk these days about how we need to work to see the gospel spread through “existing family and community networks.”
People are really working hard to keep disciples closely attached to their family and community connections. And these relationships are almost depended upon as the vehicle for the good news to spread.
But let’s think about this for a second.
While it certainly is wonderful when the good news spreads though existing relational ties, there is absolutely no reason why it should and always must be that way.
The gospel can (and often does) spread through totally unrelated, unconnected people. It quickly runs past and goes beyond family and community ties.
So, should we teach local disciples to put all their hopes and efforts into their existing relational connections?
Maybe they’re not supposed to worry very much about this at all. Maybe they’re supposed to quickly move beyond them and seek the lost in other circles or communities. Let them go!
God can push them into totally new circles, and create opportunities to share the good news with people they had absolutely no previous connection to.
After all, what was the hardest, most fruitless ground for Jesus’ ministry? His own family and community.
So why should we feel so attached to something that Jesus was very quick to move on from, or even ignore? (Matt 12:46-50)
Why should we be so locked in on getting fruit from the one area that seemed the most barren and fruitless for Jesus himself?
“A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” (Mark 6:4)