Editor's Section




The Interface

Ever studied the interface between Christians and the rest of the world? How about your own home town? Have another look at Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Samaria? Whazzat? Well, the Samaritans were not well liked by the Jews in the time of Jesus. And that is an understatement. (Have a quick websearch under "Samaria" and you will quickly get the history) Jesus consistently went to those considered to be unworthy. He used the parable of the good Samaritan. He spoke kindly and forgivingly with the Samaritan woman at the well. And before he ascended he told his disciples they would be his witnesses in Judea (which they could readily accept) and Samaria (ugh!) and to the ends of the earth (that's OK, that's far away - we can send missionaries!)

What is your Church's Samaria? How would you define your Ugh Zone?

Prisoners in the jail near your community? Drug users downtown? Drug pushers? Corrupt cops? Corrupt civic or judicial officials (more common than we might want to believe) A different ethnic group (and I'm not just talking to white folk!) Divorced or separated people? The local abortion facility? You know who you don't get along with. That's your Samaria. Bring your nose on down to the level and start working on your Ugh Zone.

The American Will Rogers wrote: "I never met a man I didn't like". Try it.

In our inherited structures we hold meetings in our buildings. Who comes into our buildings? Do we know? In our next pages we offer some observations and suggestions. This is where the interface comes to you. Learn how to recognize it and how to use it to gospel advantage. It is a matter of perception. Tune in to the Christian/non-Christian interface.