Seven Spheres – Government

by Jason Joyner | Jan 17, 2008 | Biblical worldview, Blog, Christianity, culture, ministry, missions

Alright, time to wrap this one up. And yes, this is posted on Friday with a Wednesday date.

Did anyone guess what major area of society was left? Has anyone heard a little something about an election this year?

The final sphere of influence listed is Government. This is a no-brainer that it is an area that seriously needs positive influence. Since it leads and guides society in so many ways, it is imperative that Christians are willing to get the training to serve in such an important area.

I personally would want to see believers going into these areas to serve to truly act according to the mind of Christ as listed in Philippians 2. I get very tired of politicians who loudly shout of the evils of unrighteousness and tear down opponents in the process, even for a “good” cause. I am not the authority here, but I would rather see a politician or public servant who is humble, who works with people rather than against people, and find ways to make the best impact on culture without polarizing everything. Maybe the best example of this type of influencer would be William Wilberforce (though he could be polarizing when needed).

So that is it for discussing the Seven Spheres of Influence. I hope that we will see more Christians moving out into areas of culture intentionally, to make a difference through Spirit-led, Biblical principles. From Act One to International Justice Mission to Business Men’s Fellowship and many more examples, there are people working to make a change in our nation and in the world. Everyone is called to do something. We can even have Christians making godly highways. Or…something like that (just checking to see if Mark is paying attention).

Seven Spheres – Government

by Jason Joyner | Jan 17, 2008 | Biblical worldview, Blog, Christianity, culture, ministry, missions

Alright, time to wrap this one up. And yes, this is posted on Friday with a Wednesday date.

Did anyone guess what major area of society was left? Has anyone heard a little something about an election this year?

The final sphere of influence listed is Government. This is a no-brainer that it is an area that seriously needs positive influence. Since it leads and guides society in so many ways, it is imperative that Christians are willing to get the training to serve in such an important area.

I personally would want to see believers going into these areas to serve to truly act according to the mind of Christ as listed in Philippians 2. I get very tired of politicians who loudly shout of the evils of unrighteousness and tear down opponents in the process, even for a “good” cause. I am not the authority here, but I would rather see a politician or public servant who is humble, who works with people rather than against people, and find ways to make the best impact on culture without polarizing everything. Maybe the best example of this type of influencer would be William Wilberforce (though he could be polarizing when needed).

So that is it for discussing the Seven Spheres of Influence. I hope that we will see more Christians moving out into areas of culture intentionally, to make a difference through Spirit-led, Biblical principles. From Act One to International Justice Mission to Business Men’s Fellowship and many more examples, there are people working to make a change in our nation and in the world. Everyone is called to do something. We can even have Christians making godly highways. Or…something like that (just checking to see if Mark is paying attention).

Seven Spheres – Media

by Jason Joyner | Jan 16, 2008 | Biblical worldview, Blog, Christianity, culture, ministry, missions

(So no one noticed that this post is listed as Tuesday, yet it is coming out late Wednesday, right? Good.)

The series of Seven Spheres of Influence has the Media for a prayer emphasis on Tuesdays. I’m sure that many people would say that Christians should have a presence in the media. Then I’m sure that an equal number of people would say that we don’t need another Fox News or Rush Limbaugh. I’d say that both are true.

I don’t have anything against Fox News. Rush? Another story. But Christians in journalism and the media shouldn’t be shrill junkets that can’t speak credibly. Being called into the media as a mission field means that it will take great wisdom to speak truth. I would love to see reporters who can speak critically of things that deserve it, even within the church. Of course it will be nice to have people who come from a Biblical worldview when speaking of issues that deal with faith, but they really need integrity to speak accurately even when “our” position may be in the wrong.

One more day. Any guesses what we’ve missed?

Seven Spheres – Media

by Jason Joyner | Jan 16, 2008 | Biblical worldview, Blog, Christianity, culture, ministry, missions

(So no one noticed that this post is listed as Tuesday, yet it is coming out late Wednesday, right? Good.)

The series of Seven Spheres of Influence has the Media for a prayer emphasis on Tuesdays. I’m sure that many people would say that Christians should have a presence in the media. Then I’m sure that an equal number of people would say that we don’t need another Fox News or Rush Limbaugh. I’d say that both are true.

I don’t have anything against Fox News. Rush? Another story. But Christians in journalism and the media shouldn’t be shrill junkets that can’t speak credibly. Being called into the media as a mission field means that it will take great wisdom to speak truth. I would love to see reporters who can speak critically of things that deserve it, even within the church. Of course it will be nice to have people who come from a Biblical worldview when speaking of issues that deal with faith, but they really need integrity to speak accurately even when “our” position may be in the wrong.

One more day. Any guesses what we’ve missed?

Seven Spheres – Family and Home

by Jason Joyner | Jan 15, 2008 | Biblical worldview, Blog, Christianity, culture, ministry, missions

For those who may remember, there was a great book by Bob Briner that discussed the same topic I’ve been addressing lately: Roaring Lambs. I can’t believe it is from 1993! (How long ago was that again?) It may be hard to find now, but it should be well worth it. His idea was basically that Christians needed to be salt and light in the world. Definitely not a new concept, but it seems that God’s people constantly need reminding about getting out and reaching people. Just like the disciples who wouldn’t leave Jerusalem in Acts until there was persecution to force them out to Judea and Samaria.

Today’s sphere is the Family and the Home. This may not seem like a field that Christians would go out into as a professional, but there is no denying the influence that family and home has on culture in general and people specifically. We know that people can turn out well from broken households, and a good family is no guarantee of kids growing up well. Yet the vast majority will stay true to what they are raised with at home.

I think fields like counseling move into this arena. There’s a lot of secular ideology in the counseling and social work fields – all the more reason to have Christians who are strong in their faith and a Biblical worldview to enter this area to touch families where it is needed.

Everyday Christians can do a lot to minister to individual families of kids that come into their lives. Of course, prayer is a vital area, and this is one that we should not neglect. God longs to put the lonely into families – it is His heart, so it should be ours as well.

Seven Spheres – Family and Home

by Jason Joyner | Jan 15, 2008 | Biblical worldview, Blog, Christianity, culture, ministry, missions

For those who may remember, there was a great book by Bob Briner that discussed the same topic I’ve been addressing lately: Roaring Lambs. I can’t believe it is from 1993! (How long ago was that again?) It may be hard to find now, but it should be well worth it. His idea was basically that Christians needed to be salt and light in the world. Definitely not a new concept, but it seems that God’s people constantly need reminding about getting out and reaching people. Just like the disciples who wouldn’t leave Jerusalem in Acts until there was persecution to force them out to Judea and Samaria.

Today’s sphere is the Family and the Home. This may not seem like a field that Christians would go out into as a professional, but there is no denying the influence that family and home has on culture in general and people specifically. We know that people can turn out well from broken households, and a good family is no guarantee of kids growing up well. Yet the vast majority will stay true to what they are raised with at home.

I think fields like counseling move into this arena. There’s a lot of secular ideology in the counseling and social work fields – all the more reason to have Christians who are strong in their faith and a Biblical worldview to enter this area to touch families where it is needed.

Everyday Christians can do a lot to minister to individual families of kids that come into their lives. Of course, prayer is a vital area, and this is one that we should not neglect. God longs to put the lonely into families – it is His heart, so it should be ours as well.