Examples of how to Engage without Conforming

[Josh]

So, one thing that came up last week and in the break-out groups, is the question of how to engage in the larger culture without conforming to it.

So, the two premises are:

1) It's important for Christians to be engaged, knowledgeable, and able to respond intelligently to the larger culture (Matt. 5:13-15, John 17:15, Acts 17:16-34, Matthew 10:16, Luke 16:8-9)

2) As Christians engage with the world around them, they are not to simply conform to it or compromise their beliefs and convictions in the process (Romans 12:2, 2 Cor. 10:3, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 John 2:15)

I want this thread to be about example of how to do this well. If you have one or want to respond to others suggestions, jump right in!

[Josh]

Here's one I think that's really important in our day and age:

This generation thrives on media (books, music, internet, movies, television, social networking, etc..)

There is nothing inherently evil about media, but we know it can have great potential for both good and evil- good in it's ability to disseminate information and connect people to ideas and other people, evil in it's addictive capacity and it's encouragement of lust, self-worship, and passive inactivity, etc..

To remove ourselves completely from media, as a rule, is to pass up important inroads of ministry in the world. Paul is a great example here. He was well versed in important pagan literature and used it in his appeals to people he met (Acts 17:22-23, 28, Colossian 2:17 and Hebrews 8:5, 10:1 which are probable references to Plato's ideas, and see Titus 1:12 for a humorous one). Paul didn't simply reject these sources because they were "worldly"- he made bridges between anything true in pagan literature and the truth in light of Christ.

[Josh]

So, let's take a further look at the issue of media.

How do YOU use media as a way to advance the kingdom of God?

For me, these forums are one obvious venue.

But also I think facebook is an interesting way to communicate your values to other people. I'm not a big fan of over-the-top, heavy handed Christian-themed status messages, but for sure there are ways to communicate the importance of your faith on that medium.

There are many friends and acquaintances of mine of facebook that might never have known me as a Christian in person who know I am a Christ-follower now and have even had their interested piqued enough to jump over to the forums or our church website, etc..

But even deeper than that, these mediums are a way to develop genuine friendships with people, which is truly at the heart of the gospel.