How Communities Change for Good
The abiding presence of Jesus working through those who abide in him
“Help! I’m drowning!”
“Don’t touch that hot stove!”
“Call 911!”
Sometimes we need to shout.
But none of us make fundamental, lasting changes because someone shouted at us. Neither do families, groups, communities, or nations.
Yet many Christians now take on a “shouting posture” as we confront the cultural challenges of our day. And interestingly, we often do so from a distance, from behind a keyboard, through our social media platforms.
Whether up close or from a distance, shouting is a bad strategy for making disciples or creating lasting community transformation.
Jesus did not shout righteousness from heaven. He could have, but instead he took on flesh and dwelt among us. We could see him, and we beheld his glory (John 1). Ultimately, his ministry not only reconciled sinners to himself, but advanced his kingdom on earth.
Whether up close or from a distance, shouting is a bad strategy for making disciples or creating lasting community transformation.
It was his abiding presence that bore lasting fruit, and now it is his abiding presence in us that still bears fruit today.
In John 15, he described it like this:
Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. - John 15:4-8
It is Jesus’ abiding presence in us that produces spiritual, transformational, and kingdom-building results.
In his book, Unburdened: Stop Living for Jesus So Jesus Can Live Through You, Vance Pitman, writes,
The invitation to follow Jesus isn’t an invitation to live for Jesus; it’s an invitation to abide in Jesus and let Him, out of the overflow of that relationship, live His life in and through us in a way that produces fruit for His kingdom.
Our “shouting posture” comes from a deep sense of loss. We’ve lost our way of life. We’ve lost our place of influence. We’ve lost control.
For the first time in 200 years, the American Christian feels the weight of minority status.
For the first time in 200 years, the American Christian feels the weight of minority status.
Cultural shifts reject truths we hold dear, attempt to redefine the realities of God’s created order, and codify unrighteousness in the public square. And it’s all happened so quickly.
We’re outraged. Panic marks us, and anxiety rules our hearts.
But a “kingdom posture,” in contrast to a “shouting posture,” grows from the abiding presence of Jesus in us. The church was birthed in power not because the cultural, social, or political climate was ripe for church growth. Not at all.
The church that Jesus promised to build, the one that was ignited at Pentecost, and the one that continues to expand throughout the globe was birthed by a few people planted in adverse cultural conditions who were filled with the Holy Spirit, believed God, and followed Jesus.
So, here are three encouragements for every believer who wants to see their community transformed by the Gospel:
Fall deeply in love with Jesus.
Every Christian has placed our faith in Jesus, and we believes him to save and secure us forever. But not every Christian pursues intimate fellowship with Jesus.
Jesus is not only our Lord, but he is also our friend, the lover of our soul.
Jesus is not only our Lord, but he is also our friend, the lover of our soul.
So, get to know Jesus. Open your Bible and consume the Gospels, and then read everything before them and after them in light of Jesus’ life and ministry. Practice his presence through prayer, sit with him in silence, and speak with him along the way.
Cultivate practical dependence on Jesus.
Jesus promised every Christian that he would be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20). He promised the Holy Spirit would dwell in us, literally taking up residence in our hearts.
Every Christian is a temple, an abiding place, for the Most High God.
In Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, Dan Ortlund writes,
Jesus Christ is closer to you today than he was to the sinners and sufferers he spoke with and touched in his earthly ministry.
Jesus is with us and intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. So, in everything, we acknowledge Jesus as Lord and as powerfully present to shape every attitude, provide for every need, give wisdom for every decision, and guide every relationship.
Give clear witness of Jesus.
In the Community Transformation model pictured above, you see the Timing circle on the right. It’s an attempt to illustrate our need to walk in step with the Holy Spirit that we may recognize the “kairos,” the opportune moments, to bear witness of Jesus.
As local Gospel missionaries sent into our communities, we not only look for opportunities to share the Gospel, but through our presence we cultivate those opportune moments.
As local Gospel missionaries sent into our communities, we not only look for opportunities to share the Gospel, but through our presence we cultivate those opportune moments.
Like Jesus, we dwell among the people. We care about what our neighbors care about. We look for ways to serve others, putting the needs of others ahead of our own. And we speak the Good News of the kingdom to those the Lord gives to us.
In a pre-Christian community, our Gospel work clarifies and amplifies our Gospel witness, which moves the community toward lasting change—the spiritual and social transformation we’ve been left on earth to seek above all else.
Picture of the Week
Our family has participated in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child program for as long as I can remember. It’s an amazing way to give hope to kids around the world. This is national collection week, so get info HERE.
Recommended Resources
Article: How Should Christians Speak in Public, Tim Keller at Mere Orthodoxy
Book: Love Your City: 5 Steps to Citywide Movements, Jacob Bloemberg
Podcast: Reconstructing Faith with Trevin Wax
Twitter Follow: Josh Howerton
Everyone’s Wilson
The nonprofit world is new to me, so I’ve been on a steep learning curve for the last 19 months. I’ve made a ton of mistakes and still have big steps to take to become good at this.
But I’ve also been on an amazing “faith curve.” The Lord has taught me a lot about himself, a lot about myself (not all so good), and he has pulled the curtain back on the incredible work he’s already doing around our community and in many others to advance his kingdom.
To keep up with our work, you can Follow Us on the Socials or Subscribe to the Everyone’s Wilson Newsletter Here.
We’re in the last 7 weeks of the year, which means it’s fundraising time. Over 25% of our budget receipts are given between now and December 31. It’s kind of crazy, but it’s a reality for many small businesses and nonprofits. And our sustainability depends on the investment of churches, businesses, and individuals.
All that to ask for you to pray for us. God is our provider, and unless he builds this, we all labor in vain. Second, I’d be honored if you would prayerfully consider including Everyone’s Wilson in your End of Year Giving. Check out our Give Now Page to begin.
Everyone’s Wilson is an outreach of The Everyone’s Welcome Network, a 501c3 charity organization. All gifts are tax-deductible.
I’d Love to Hear from You!
Thank you for reading and subscribing to this newsletter.
If it’s helpful, I’d love to hear about it. If it’s not, I don’t want to hear about it, but I probably need to. So either way, please give me some feedback.
Finally, I’ll be speaking at our local Chamber of Commerce again this week. I’d be honored to preach at your church or speak to your business or organization about community transformation.
Just click the button for my contact information.