Do you believe?

In the early 1980s, I was in Colorado, on a ski trip with other single adults from my church. It had been a long bus ride, so, after dinner, several of us women walked around the village and the grounds of our lodge. Somehow, we hooked up with a group of women from East Germany. We all were staying in the same lodge, and they invited us to continue our conversation in their room.

As we prepared to leave, one of them asked, “Do you believe in God?” Without hesitancy, we responded, “Yes!” Then came the next question, “Why?” They did not ask confrontationally or derisively. It was simply, “Why?”

I honestly do not remember what any of us said, although I trust that it was more than mumbling and included something about love. I do remember thinking later, “Why didn’t I give her my Bible?”

It was one of my first opportunities – outside of church settings – to claim my faith. It might have been one of the first opportunities to explain or defend my belief – if our conversation had continued.

That encounter came to mind as the Rev. Stephen Bryant recalled the comment of a young Swiss pastor about evangelizing in a secular culture, “In this work I am doing, if you can’t answer the question, ‘What difference does it make?’ don’t even go there.”

I offer three questions to which I challenge each of us to answer with responses drawn from our own beliefs, learnings and lives – responses that we can articulate, even if it is difficult. For many, I expect, answers will be at the ready. Others may need some reflection – with God through prayer, with brothers and sisters in Christ or other trusted friends. Make your answers as general or as specific as you like.

Here are the three questions:

What do you believe in – and why?
What difference does it make that you are a person of faith?
How does being a disciple of Jesus Christ affect your life?

I am making some assumptions about at least part of your answer, but since you are reading a magazine for active United Methodists, I think I’m on solid ground.

Then, when the time and relationship are right and someone asks, “Do you believe – and why?” you will have an answer. Your questioner, most likely, will be intrigued to join or consider joining you on a continuing journey.

The Interpreter staff regularly reviews United Methodist Communications research about what people would like to see in the magazine. In recent years, we have had many requests for a focus on evangelism. When our Discipleship Ministries colleagues agreed to collaborate with us on this issue, we expanded the topic to include discipleship.

Discipleship Ministries uses the acronym H.O.P.E. to describe the process of carrying out the mission of the church – making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

However, I think you will also find hope for your journey as a United Methodist Christian, embraced by God who is Love and Grace and indescribably more, and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, called to be in relationship with God and neighbor.

If you are in a congregation where decline seems irreversible, read the stories of the “One Matters” award winners. Most featured recipients are small-membership churches; some took the risk of letting something familiar die and seeing new life emerge.

Do you think an evangelist has to be a powerful speaker who has every question of faith answered? Think again. Evangelism in its simplest form is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ – in works, relationships and actions. Check out the profiles of the Harry Denman Award winners.

Read how the importance of building relationships as a vital part of faith sharing cuts across geographic, ethnic, cultural and other boundaries. Small groups – class meetings, accountability groups, covenant groups (not the same, but similar) and others – allow people to nurture and care for one another. They can also be a place for people not now in the church – but seeking – to explore faith. If you think your church is too small for a small group, start with one – with a willingness to divide when it is no longer “small.”

Of course, outreach and mission projects to which you encourage others to join you and in which those served are among the servants can open the door for questions of faith.

It is all about relationships – within the church, with our neighbors and with Christ.

So, read this issue with an open mind and an open heart as to where God is leading you and your church. Then, watch the doors open for you to invite God’s beloved family to come in and experience the joy and strength of being part of a faithful community.

Blessings as your journey continues!

Kathy

The Rev. Kathy Noble is editor of Interpreter, Interpreter Digital and Interpreter OnLine at United Methodist Communications. She is an ordained deacon and a member of the Great Plains Conference.