What is Changing the Face of Christianity?
Mission: Reversing negative Christian stereotypes by helping Christians to be more like Jesus Christ.
What stereotypes? Hypocrisy, judgmentalism, intolerance, homophobia, superficial, and too political.
Target audience: Christians. Our message and our programs are about growing existing Christians.
Why?
- Because we dishonor God when we live contrary to His teaching.
- We misrepresent God when we say "I'm a Christian" yet don't live as one through our words and actions.
- It's entirely possible that if a self-identified Christian isn't living according to God’s will, that at the end of their life Jesus will reject them. Matthew 7:21,23. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. …Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’. This is not salvation THROUGH works, but works BECAUSE of a life truly saved.
- We are a stumbling block to non-believers being open to and accepting the faith. "Why would I wan't to be like one of those hypocrites?"
Who are we? Just imperfect Christians trying to make a difference for God, bringing Him glory, according to His good and pleasing will.
How?
- Through education (helping people see themselves more clearly in light of scripture, helping them see the damage we inadvertently do)
- Christianity Quiz to help Christians self-assess how Christian they are
- Bible study on the negative stereotypes
- Email newsletter with tips and suggestions on how to be more mature.
- Through transformational life groups
- Bible study
- Community service
- Prayer, praise, and worship
- Fellowship
- Accountability
- Through public awareness
- Publicizing and promoting positive things Christians are doing around the world and in our neighborhoods
- Through private/biblical criticism of and discussions with Christians acting unlike Christ in the public arena
- Discussions with small groups and presentations to large groups
- Ongoing Research
- Small groups survey to better understand where people are struggling in their faith as lived out in small groups.
- Christianity Quiz
How can you support us?
- Share and spread our message with other Christians and with your church leadership
- Support our 501 (c)3 nonprofit with your tax deductible financial gift at http://www.changingthefaceofchristianity.com/donate
Christian First Impressions
Our Programs
- Download our Changing the Face of Christianity 5 Week Bible Study - Start your own group today!
- MyConfession.org - Participate in our public humility campaign.
- Independent research with high-schooler's and college students struggling with their faith. Helping prepare them for opposition.
- Facilitating civil dialogue with atheists, agnostics, and other non-Christians.
- Christian book reviews to stay current on Christian culture and trends.
- Highlighting Christian ministries doing good in our communities.
- Blog articles on Christian news and insights, how to be more like Jesus Christ, the negative stereotypes, thought-provoking question of the week (new every Monday am), and more.
(Scroll down to read the latest articles)
Christian News and Insights
R. Brad White Predicts Return of Jesus Christ – Save the Date
January 12, 2012 By R. Brad White 7 Comments
With the increasing popularity (and disdain) of "Jesus is coming on x date", I thought I would join the ranks of those with a Jesus second coming prediction. I hope you aren't disppointed. But before I give the date, let me build up some suspense. Previous Failed Predictions of Return of Jesus Christ Harold Camping, long-time president of Family Radio, has made numerous end-times predictions, such as May 21, 1988, September 6, 1994, and May 21, 2011 (followed by a physical rapture on October 21, 2011). Just in case you missed the news…it didn’t happen. He seems to have recanted his failed predictions, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see another as soon as he figures out the problem with his calculations. Can someone buy a brother a better calculator? I just read of another end-times prediction by Ronald Weinland (a self-proclaimed prophet) and leader of a church … [Read More...]
Being Like Jesus Christ
Forgive…and Forgive again
July 31, 2011 By R. Brad White 1 Comment
Luke 17:3-4. "Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” The message: don't hold grudges. Forgive quickly. For our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, rebuke if one of us sins, but be ready to forgive if they show a true repentant heart. And even if they don't, forgive them anyway. … [Read More...]
How Christian Are You?
Quizes/Surveys/Ongoing Research
In a church small group?
Take our Small Group Survey now.
2 Minutes to Christian Maturity
2 Minutes to Christian Maturity. “Write Your Prayer to God”
February 5, 2012 By R. Brad White 1 Comment
Written Prayers Have you ever read the Psalms? They are written prayers to God. Some are songs and others are just the outpourings of the heart. I just listened to an audiobook version of "Here I Stand", which was Martin Luther's self defense of his writings which sparked the Protestant Reformation in 1521. (google it. It's a great read) Although he had many supporters among common Christians, he was facing an onslaught of criticism and pressure from the Catholic leadership to recant his writings against the church's misuse of authority and contradiction with scripture. In preparation for his defense, he wrote out a prayer to God for strength to persevere according to God's will. It struck me that we too should sometimes write out our prayers to God. And so, I want to encourage you to give it a try.Set aside a few minutes and instead of speaking it, write it out. I write down … [Read More...]
Opinions and Editorials
The Cure from Feeling Disconnected from God
January 30, 2012 By R. Brad White Leave a Comment
Sometimes people feel disconnected from God. I hear people pray, "Lord, why are you so distant?" If you read the Psalms you'll see a cycle of appeals to God such as Psalm 10:1, "Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?". What does this say about God and us? This says more about us and our insufficient perspective than it does about God. Our Christian theology affirms a belief in God's "omnipresence". Omnipresence means present everywhere at the same time. He has been that way for all eternity. He isn't contained by this universe (His creation). Yet, he permeates every inch of it. That means He's there in your bedroom, in the bathroom, in your car, … [Read More...]
