Ben Zander challenges all of us with this TED Video (which you’re missing a whole lot if you’re not watching these inspiring videos). He’s talking from his perspective as a classical conductor, but these principles can be applied to much of life: parenting, marriage, ministry, coaching, teaching, managing, etc. Take a listen and you won’t be able to turn away.
What if we acted as if the church were for everyone? How would we be changed? The studies show us that only 10% at best of our young people are involved in church, never mind being active members of the church. Perhaps that’s so because of us and not because of them. Let’s face it. None of us are all too excited about the church at times. That’s a drag. What is the good news that we want to communicate to those we love and want to offer our tradition to?
What if we believed, for real, that Jesus just might be for 100% of us?
How would we be changed? Not how would “They” change to meet us in our parishes…but how would we change?
You see, folks, evangelization, is about projecting a message outward. Going to where others are and meeting them there and sharing who Christ is for you and how you have been changed. Without that being central to our mission as church we will only preach to the choir.
And then the church is sure to die with us.