Cracked pots, lights hidden or not hidden under bushel baskets, salt and light–as Christians we all know the metaphors for living a Christian life smack dab in the middle of our world. Our world might be a busy city or a small town in middle America–that doesn’t matter. What does matter is the way we rub up against the people around us who don’t believe in God or who are just plain sick of the picture in their heads about the church. Too often they conjure up an image of angry, self-righteous people who judge them. Or they might have another picture of the clueless, hopelessly un-hip person in polyester–the one with no sense of humor and having no fun. Who wants it?

  But think of Jesus. He lived among the people–literally. He had no home of his own and yet he spoke boldly and impressively about his kingdom. His kingdom was a new way to live and a new way to think. It was about courage and generosity, about wisdom and eyes to see beyond this world. It was a dynamic and puzzling message to those hearing it for the first time. The disciples had three years to “get it” and even after his death they were still scratching their heads. But when they were filled with the spirit–when they really took hold of the message and understood its power, they turned the world upside down and the church was born. Think of it—God inside us, God restoring people from empty lives to meaningful ones. Freedom from niggling worries about past deeds and hidden but persistent memories of things we wished we’d never done, all of that erased by the freedom to walk in love and forgiveness. The focus is on Jesus and not on the people following him. The message is always “Come” and not “You’re worthless.”

On April 2nd Western Seminary is hosting a Faith and Culture Writers Conference in conjunction with Corban and Multnomah Universities. The keynoters will address the issues of using the power of words to express our faith. It’s important to erase the negative connotations about  following Christ. It’s important to impact the people around us with the compelling beauty and truth of a lifestyle of love. It’s time to live amongst the people again as Christ did–to be free of the rules separating us one from another. Go to www.westernseminary.edu/events/writers and sign up for this dynamic conference. The keynoters, Paul Louis Metzger and Gina Ochnser will convey the message better than I can. The workshops will delve into the ways writers can use the power of their words to impact their culture. It’s going to be a great day and you really shouldn’t miss it.