Changing the Face of Christianity
Reversing negative Christian stereotypes, by helping Christians to be more like Jesus Christ.
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When you are at church, you can assume everyone there is either already a Christian or seeking to learn more. However, once you leave the church premises, how are we to be recognized as Christians? In our everyday interactions with others, how should they be able to recognize us as Christians? Share your thoughts.
R. Brad White is the Founder and President of Changing the Face of Christianity Inc. Brad is a former atheist and became an "on fire for God" Christian in 2005. In 2008, Brad became incredibly burdened by what he perceived as a Christian faith far off course, and Christians far from living the teachings of Jesus Christ. In 2010, Brad submitted to the calling to reverse these negative Christian stereotypes, by starting "Changing the Face of Christianity" (a 501c3 Texas non-profit corporation). Read more about R. Brad White
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?
Who are we? Just imperfect Christians trying to make a difference for God, bringing Him glory, according to His good and pleasing will.
How?
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We as Christians should be known by our LOVE,Kindness,Faith, Joy And Charity.
I agree with Mathis-Sherlock. The fruits of the Spirit are a good indication of whether a person has spiritual life. Not every Christian displays these fruits 100% of the time, just like fruits has seasons. But if a person is consistently displaying in their words and actions what is opposite of these fruits, then there is reason to doubt that they have moved past the “taste” and “see” of Him. To know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to love others.
The question seems to assume a clear definition of the word “Christian”. I have heard or seen four rather different entities that self-define as Christian and we would have to clarify which one we are talking about when it comes to recognizing one outside the context of the collective.
1) There is the person who would come to their conclusion through a process of elimination. Since they are not Hindu or Muslim, or Buddhist or a follower of any of a thousand various gurus, imams, or holy persons. they must be Christian.
2) There is the person who would self-identify as Christian because they expect a benefit from that declaration. It could be the guy who wants to date the Christian “babe” or the young lady with a believing boss. Whatever the scenario, it has major aspects of self-interest, however incomplete the self-delusion.
3) Some would identify with Christ by virtue of their adherence to a list of “dos and don’ts” Whatever the issue; their response is from a religious framework, usually spoken to them by others, that informs their choices. If they continue to do all the dos and don’t do any of the don’ts, God owes them something.
4) Finally we get to the good stuff. A person becomes convinced that they have no real hope of entering the Kingdom of God; however they may envision that state of existence. They are aware of a weakness inside themselves, a spiritual sickness from which they cannot escape. In a moment of clarity, they come to realize that God is calling them and is promising them a way out of this hopeless predicament. They accept the salvation as a gift from God and they pledge to pursue His ways of doing things. This is the biblical norm. A Christian is someone who has met God personally and has committed to follow Him in a life-changing relationship.
Should one find a Christian outside of the context of church, the chances are good that the “believer” may be one who believes in the first three approaches to God. Their behaviour may or may not be very different as someone receiving salvation according to the Gospel, depending on the day. Even outsiders will have good days where they attempt a walk without violating their conscience. In a perfect world, I would respond with love and godliness to anyone who comes across my path. I would expect most real Christians to do the same. I also know that sometimes I mess up. That is what the promises are for (so says a recent song on the radio). Since I (mostly) control my behaviour, I will serve God to the best of my ability. What I do not have is any control over what others think of me.
I have said all of the above to say this. No one can really discern who is and who is not a real Christian outside of eternity. It is my opinion that we are to relate to people no matter what their beliefs. Maybe we should just treat everyone as if they are brothers and sisters in Christ. Freak them all out.
This is seemingly an easy question…or so I thought…..but I’ll answer this from the perspective of how would I want to be recognized
I think we should be able to recognize Christians by their kindness and gentleness, by their genuine concern for others and interest in what they need, how others are hurting, perhaps how we can practically extend help to them along with offering to lift them up in prayer. I think about how Christ reached out to the unclean, the unlovable, the ones who were cast out or uncared for……he surprised people with his kindness. I think the world’s view has subtly become “to each his own” but when we actually enter into other people’s worlds with an authentic interest in reaching out, this shows on the outside and reflects the love of Christ.
I grew up in the Catholic church and many times we would end our services with the song that said, “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, they will know we are Christians by our love.”…..so true
I think the most interesting and thought provoking point that Christians should note is that there is no evidence to support that it would be the works of kindness or charity that would stand them out as Christians, rather it would be the beliefs that do not happen to fit for whatever reason. Some of these would be the reaction to either meeting or talking about a person who is homosexual, the mention of prayer in reference to a natural disaster or a personal disaster, often a particularly ignorant understanding of science, sometimes there is a certain glass eyedness stare that i often pick as religious, also a tendency to not have a friendship base with a great deal of variety, Mostly its the language used.
Dont mean these to be offensive, it is simply my observation.
For my wife she noticed that fellow church goers would ignore her outside of Sunday morning. Its why her parents left.
In reply to Dan,
I am so sorry that your expectations of Christians were not met. You have a right to expect people who name the Name of Christ to be at least attempting to be Christ-like. Unfortunately, the latest market research from the Barna Group shows that only 4% of people who would self-define as “Christian” actually believe basic biblical doctrine in nine questions. Your expectations have only a slim chance of being fulfilled by someone truly following the worldview called christian. My hope is that you don’t withdraw your pusuit of the real truth found in Christ; in a ressurected, fully alive, fully authorative and loving Creator of the universe Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior. There is significance in that pursuit than is life changing, culture changing, world changing. It is real in amongst the highhats, bright lights and religiosity that passes for Christianity in the 21st century. Pursue Him not the religion. He will guide you into all Truth.
How should we recognize a Christian outside of the church environment? For starters they should look markedly different than the world around them. Their whole demeanor should radically contrast with others we encounter in the world. The distinctives we would expect to stand out include, but aren’t limited to, unconditional acceptance, sacrificial love, and generosity to a fault.