This is a guest post from Nate Navarro, Director of Missional Community at Austin City Life. Here is Part 1.
Travis is a successful Austin attorney in his mid 30’s who has been a part of our Missional Community for about a year. Recently, after serving together at the retirement center in our neighborhood, we had a dinner together at a central Austin cheeseburger joint. Travis, who had recently been hosting our Missional Community gatherings (without saying a word), spoke up and said:
“I don’t think it is important for married couples to both be Christians….my wife is a Christian….and I am not…..it works fine for us.â€
He said it.
Though I had thought for quite some time Travis was just tolerating us for his wifes sake, now we knew it….he doesn’t believe in Jesus…in fact….he probably thinks we are crazy!
SO WHAT TO DO?
Break out the 4 spiritual laws? Take a stroll down Romans road? Throw all my best Tim Keller “Reasons For God†at him?
In a moment of sanity I looked across the table and said:
“Travis, I want to thank you for being a part of our community. It would be easy for you to just think we are crazy, instead, you have served us by hosting our gatherings at your house and even serving with us at the Retirement Center. On top of that, I think you are a cool guy and I appreciate what you bring to our community.â€
Travis said, “sure…no problem….I like you guys.â€
Since then Travis has been more actively involved in our community, though I am sure he still thinks we are a bit crazy with all our “Gospel-Centered†conversations.
My hope is that we will be a community who SHOWS the Gospel to Travis, and to our city…..
My hope is that we will be a community who TELLS the Gospel to Travis, and to our city….
May we do so out of LOVE and not out of the need to convince others that WE ARE RIGHT.