Biblical Risk Takers or Play-It-Safe Christians?

Good Evening!

There is a line from a book called "All In", that I particularly like; it says, “…where did we get the notion that making it safely to the finish line of life is the goal? Why would we think that playing it safe, is safe?"

Too often in our Canadian culture and especially in the Canadian sub-culture of Christianity, we default to, “be conservative and don’t make waves (play it safe). This style of behaviour coupled with a crippled religious environment has given way to the anemic, declining institution called the church.

The current population of born-again believers in Canada (about 2 million) are at a cross-roads and too many are either unable to recognize the road to transformation or are unwilling to do so because of perceived losses both socially and financially.

But I believe that today God is looking for a remnant; Biblical Risk Takers, those that see the real goal and are willing to go, ALL IN.

The church, the ekklisia, is in a state of flux. Even if some don’t like it, it is changing. We are to a place where we have to say, “we will change because we know that if we don’t, we will die”.

Last year in North America approximately 4,000 new churches were birthed but at the same time, 7,000 died and were closed. It doesn’t stretch my math skills too far to know that this is the road to distinction if things don’t radically change.

We have tried to modernize our music, our look and approach but smoke machines and skinny jeans haven’t made us appealing enough to attracted but a few. Unfortunately, this does not compute with Jesus’ desire that He would not lose one, “…I wish that not one would perish”

So, what’s the answer? I believe that for anyone to say, “I have the answer is naive at best but what I’m about to outline is an element---a portion of the answer. Become a Biblical Risk Taker

Think about the early church (ekklisia), they took over the known world and it is estimated that by the year 300, 53% of the world’s population were what we might class as born-again Christians.

1. They shared their finances with those in need and if you can believe it, they didn’t even get tax receipts.

2. They genuinely loved and shared with the un-lovely of society.

3. They actually had complete strangers stay in their homes.

4. They really cared for the elderly, the prisoners, the homeless and the sick

5. They weren’t looking for fame, financial gain or even recognition.

6. They just acted like Christ did. (By-the-way, that’s why they were firsts called Christians; they acted like Him, they sounded like; acted like and even smelled like, so-to-speak He did---Christ-iens).

7. They were passionate disciple makers.

8. They challenged the status quo. They stood up for what they believed and were willing to give their lives for it if necessary.

I believe the Father is looking for Biblical Risk Takers today. IS THAT YOU? We must step forward!. Waiting for revival just kicks the can down the road. We must take action.

For further information on this and related topics, see my book and manual outlined on the web site georgewoodward.ca or to book a time for me to come and speak to your group, contact me directly.

George