Kevin's Comment...

I'm going to post a few of the many great comments from this week's series, here's one from Kevin ...

How do we make the shift from blaming to something more productive? (Of course, identifying the problem is the first step in solution finding...but what now?!) I can only speak for what's worked for me and that's this: Us having the guts to actually live out the faith and to ask (gently at times and more forcefully at others) our fellow Christians to move into authentic Christianity that looks like what Vince described in this blog (look back at the 1, 2, 3).

The two elements are crucial, right? If we're not living it than we're just part of the hypocrisy camp.

But the other part is just as important...a trusting relationship. My bros and sisters in Christ whom I've built a relationship with see me living the faith and welcome me challenging them on their faith (as I welcome them challenging me). The Christians with whom I don't have deep relationships with dismiss my ideas and thoughts about their faith. What keeps me going and pushing ahead is having a right frame of mind about who I'm dealing with (Christian, non-Christian, mature, immature, long time friend, short time friend, acquaintance, etc.) and expecting the results that level of relationship will afford. If I want to help change someone's perception/ action/ motivation/ maturity, then I have to build a trusting relationship with them. OR...I have to find someone in their trusted relationships circle to influence them. There are of course, no guarantees...but definitely a greater chance of transformation through the cultivation of deeper, more intimate, trusting relationships.