Christians have a vital role to play in helping people become Christians!
Information gleaned from the Laidlaw lecture by Dr Lynne Taylor, the Somerville Lecturer in Pastoral Theology at Otago University on “Why do unchurched people become Christians today?“
Lynne shared her PhD findings on what motivated previously unchurched Australian people with a western background to become Christians today and the process through which they became Christians. She then shared thoughts on what Christians and churches could do to help facilitate this process.
While it was up to the individual to keep saying “Yes” at each step of the process, and of course God was involved, the role of Christians was vital!
The process included
being exposed to Christianity
experiencing a catalyst or trigger (e.g. hearing words in a song, watching Jesus Christ Superstar, Christian friend going through hard time asking them to pray with them, seeing a Bible on a bookshelf)
being invited to and then engaging in a spiritual practise (socialising with Christians, praying, exploring the Bible, being part of a small group, going to church)
How can Christians and churches help facilitate people becoming Christians?
It is essential for Christians and the Church to provide community, a place where people are welcome, can belong, and experience a real homecoming to God and his family. There needs to be genuine welcome and hospitality that goes beyond the church service. Lives need to be intertwined, with helping and caring being reciprocal (i.e. be host and guest at different times) so a person can become known and explore faith.
Being around Christians helps people in their journey as they
are exposed to Christianity
see how faith helps in life
see how Christians live differently
experience hospitality
experience being helped
experience Christians being open and honest about their faith
are invited to participate in spiritual practises (socialising, small group, Bible study, praying, church)
Telling of God’s attributes of love, patience, acceptance, forgiveness, and slowness to anger is important as it was found that not only did people appreciate to know how God was towards them, but they were attributes that they desired that God would help them with in their life to become the real them, to live better and to become a better person.