Last night, the topic of the Alpha video was "Why and How Should I Tell Others About Jesus?" I liked this video better than some of the others, and, this time, I did not leave feeling grumpy.
With the previous videos, I sat there listening to this gentle man talking about giving one's life to Jesus and just feeling put off by the whole experience. The others in the group seemed to like it, and Nicky Gumble said many things that were right, therefore I felt guilty about my antagonism, which, in turn, left me feeling angry and diminished in my sense of myself.
The video we saw Thursday did not have that effect. Nicky said a few silly things like giving the exact number of how many thousands of times the word "go" appeard in the Old and New Testaments, as he was talking about the Great Commission to go out and preach the Gospel. The video did not include quite so many camera shots of rapt listeners to coach us on how to react. Yes, I'm cynical.
Nicky told funny stories about his clumsiness in sharing his faith in his initial fervor, wanting everyone to know Jesus, once he gave himself to Jesus. He cautioned strongly against putting pressure on people and advised persuasion instead.
One of the difficulties that I have with Alpha may be that I grew up in the Christian faith and never had what I could call a "Come to Jesus" moment. Over the years, the fervor of my faith has waxed and waned, and my faith trajectory has not always been onward and upward to a closer relationship with God. Mine has been more like hills and valleys. I do realize that folks can't come to faith without hearing the Gospel, and I sometimes feel that I'm not really doing my part in fulfilling the Great Commission.
The discussion afterward was lively and interesting. Why was Alpha better for me tonight? I don't know really. Maybe I was different. I can't say that it's something I would want to repeat, but I'm pleased that the final experience was more positive than the others.
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteYou have in there someone giving their "lift" for Jesus...
Your night sounds so much better than what I did last night... I can't even share with you what it was(super double secret probation), but it did involve the church and it was a bit boring... I didn't come away from it feeling angry or grumpy or anything. Just chair weary and soul mis-nourished, if I can make up a word.
clumber
Thank you, my dog friend. I will correct my mistake. There's nothing like having a dog friend to get one back on the straight and narrow.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mimi, I think giving a lift for Jesus is a good image. Perhaps an evangelical slip, if there is such a thing. Anyway, Maybe you had a better night because you were looking forward to going to N'awlins.
ReplyDeleteAnd every time you do something for others, you are spreading the word.
Love, Susan
Oh, I rather think that you do your part and more, Grandmère.
ReplyDelete"I grew up in the Christian faith and never had what I could call a "Come to Jesus" moment. Over the years, the fervor of my faith has waxed and waned, and my faith trajectory has not always been onward and upward to a closer relationship with God."
ReplyDeleteAnd that's quite alright.
Susan, I thought about leaving the "lift to Jesus".
ReplyDeleteKJ, thanks. Those kind words make up for your role as fortune teller for my madcap day.
Caminante, I thought it was OK, but thanks for the affirmation.
Mimi
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your honest and refreshing report on your alpha experience. I'm also going through alpha-- a couple weeks behind you, it seems, and I am also finding it generally ... annoying. I think alpha should dispense with the nicky videos, and go with live local speakers instead.