Turn the World on Its Head (Part 2)

For years I have said that evangelism is the best type of social action. I believe that wholeheartedly. And frankly, without evangelism you can’t see real change in our nation. But we’ve got to live out our faith as we speak it. If we’re going to see change in our world today, it must be done through word and deed.

Sharing about the love of Christ is a must, but are we reflecting that love as well? Sharing about the forgiveness of the cross is foundational, but are we offering forgiveness as freely as we ask for it? Proclaiming our new life in Christ is critical, but are we claiming it daily, living in it continually, and expecting it moment by moment?

Are we truly loving our neighbor as ourselves? Are we putting Christ first in all we do? Are we sharing the Good News Gospel “as we go into all the world” (Mark 16:15)? If not, why not?

What we share is of immense importance. But how we share it many times dictates whether it is heard.

The Palau Association has captured a glimpse of what this can really look like. Starting in the summer of 2008 in Portland, Oregon, where the Palau team is headquartered, we launched our new festival model that expands upon the theme of service. Now, through CityFest Seasons of Service in Little Rock, Arkansas, San Diego, California, and recurring efforts in Portland, we are seeing hundreds of local churches and tens of thousands of volunteers come together to pour out the love of Christ on the city. No strings attached, just a practical proclamation of the love of Christ.

That inaugural year in Portland saw more than 600 local churches and 27,000 volunteers come together to bless the city. Let me tell you – as we reached out, the city watched. People asked questions. They listened to what we had to say. It has opened incredible doors for sharing God’s truth, and it has begun to change the fabric of our community as a whole.

It doesn’t take a citywide campaign to make an impact. You can start today, in a conversation with a neighbor or a note to a friend, tangibly sharing the love of Christ with those around you. All I ask is that you do something!

Just imagine what would happen if each and every Christian began living like the early Church (see Part I of this blog post). People might just begin accusing us of turning the world on its head.