Roaring Lambs

Pastor Brett's sermon last weekend emphasized engaging the culture.  Honestly, I bet most of us find that difficult to do.  It's much more tempting to attack it.  Perhaps for someone like me, who has been a Christian a long time, it would be good to get a handle on questions that are being "asked" via our culture.  Start an honest dialogue.  Ask questions.  Pay attention.  That's what we're learning in the Incarnational Living class.

In the world of art and entertainment, perhaps a movie like Blue Like Jazz does that.  I have not seen it, but I understand it is not the typical overt Christian movie.  It brings up lots of questions without necessarily providing the answers.  But maybe that's where we can step in.  I think BLJ has the potential to draw a whole different crowd than a movie like Facing the Giants does.  BLJ doesn't provide a nice and tidy ending. It's probably a bit messy - and then some.  But I give the producer (and others involved) credit for trying.

A few years ago I read a book by Bob Briner, called Roaring Lambs.  It is a bit dated now, but it's still valuable.  Briner was an Emmy Award-Winning TV producer.  This book was his manifesto about how Christians can - and should - make an impact on the "culture-shaping arena".  At the beginning of the book, Bob gives a short test.  Take it and see how you do?

1. I have attended a school board meeting within the last year.
2. I have as many close friends outside of the church as within.
3. I own at least one original piece of art.
4. In the last year I have written a letter of praise to a network or sponsor of a television program.
5. I support decent movies by attending wholesome ones and avoiding unwholesome ones.
6. I consider careers in the arts, journalism, literature, film and television to be as important for the kingdom as pastoral ministry, or foreign missions.
7. I have written at least one letter to the editor of my local newspaper in the last year.
8. I have read at least one book on the New York Times Bestseller List in the past year.
9. I am active in the civic affairs of my community.
10. I have talked with at least one non-Christian about my relationship with Christ and what it means to be His follower.

If you answered Yes:
8-10 times: A bona fide Roaring Lamb!
5-7 times: Watch out, they're starting to listen
2-4 times: Mouth open, no sound.
0-1 times: B-a--a-a-a-a-a-a

Briner is wise though.  Before Chapter 1 is a section called;   introduction     don't try this alone

He notes that one of the most overriding and compelling principles of the Bible is the truth that in our own strength we can do nothing.  "Unless we have been waiting on the Lord in prayer and received His direction and blessing, what we do will be ineffective and futile."   He had a friend who reminded him that when the Church started in Acts, they didn't start with evangelism, healing or preaching - but prayer.

That is why, at the bottom of the 100 in 2012 logo, we have the statement: Praying that God will use us to lead 100 people to faith in 2012.   We can't do this alone and on our strength.