Rewriting Pentecost

Share news of our gracious God

Many years ago The Lutheran carried a startling advertisement. Five pastors who were leading a tour to Europe bought space for a full-page ad. They wanted to emphasize that their tour included a visit to the Oberammergau Passion Play, so they looked for a biblical quotation that would immediately remind people of the Crucifixion. When the ad appeared, it carried pictures of the five men under the banner headline: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!"

Our best intentions often have unexpected consequences. That's the story of evangelism.

Evangelism is supposed to be good news, but over the years it has become a task few Lutherans enjoy.

Where did we go wrong? Somewhere along the line we rewrote the Pentecost story to read: "And when the day of the annual meeting had fully come, they were all gathered in one place-the doors being shut for fear that someone would leave early. And when the budget for next year was presented, there was a gasp like the rushing of a mighty wind and images of red ink danced in their heads like tongues of fire. And everyone began to speak at once, each with his own idea. `We'll need more members to help pay the bills,' one of them said." And so the evangelism drive was born.

Do you see how "telling the good news" about Jesus Christ has been turned into "selling people on church membership"? Telling good news comes naturally. Selling people on the church takes a lot of skill and effort, particularly when it involves money. No wonder we encounter resistance and all manner of excuses.

There's a story about the Red Cross team that struggled to bring help to mountaineers who were cut off from the world by an ice storm in Virginia. When their vehicles got stuck, they pressed on with snowshoes. Finally they reached an isolated cabin at the end of the valley, stepped onto the rickety porch and knocked on the door. When it opened they said, "Hello, old-timer, we're from the Red Cross."

"I really appreciate what you're doing," he told them, "but as you can see, it's been a hard winter and I really can't spare a thing."

If only we could realize how our hard-pressed neighbors would welcome news of a gracious God! Telling that story would be a joy.

A monthly message from the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

His e-mail address: [email protected]

Call the Presiding Bishop's Hotline: (773) 380-2930. Messages change every two weeks.

Copyright Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Feb 2001
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