Changing the Face of Christianity
Reversing negative Christian stereotypes, by helping Christians to be more like Jesus Christ.
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At Changing the Face of Christianity, we are working to reverse the current negative Christian stereotype. But we have to replace the negative stereotype with something else. So the question this week is what do we want the new Christian stereotype to be?
To help you visualize this, just ponder this: What do you want a non-Christian to think about you before they ever get to know you? 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?
How can you support us?
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Great question Brad! Key words that spring to my mind are – tolerant, compassionate, approachable, loving, kind and relevant (as in, being in touch with the world and able to relate to it)
I’m so sorry, Brad but I don’t understand this question. My theology includes a meta-narrative that assumes that there is a Plan somewhere in the mind of God and that is revealed on a need-to-know basis to the servants involved in the various componants of the Plan. This theology also would presuppose significant variations, in terms of the different (but equally important) parts played by the servants. Stereotypical responses to the revealed will of God would not; could not get that kind of job done.
Having said that, I suppose that there would be similarities between the actors. That must be what you are looking for. These similarities would include things like a super-natural love (in the strictest sense). There would need to be an ultra-sensitivity to the Spirit of God. This is so that directives are heard and understood. One of the rare things these days that is needed is the acceptance of a self-sacrificial lifestyle; a denying or even crucifying of oneself in order to be available for a higher purpose or service.
I find it interesting that some research into the lives of the early Church leaders and even the rank-and-file members would show these negations to human nature that I have mentioned were expected in any converts “born-again” experience. It would cost them to cross the line into Christianity and there were few “take backs”. It would also be true whether they were new to the Faith or seasoned veterans.The lack of the things mentioned here as it pertains to the Church in North America could possibly be because of how soft our culture is. There is little cost to declare oneself a Christian and without cost there is no perceived value. Maybe we need some serious opposition to again become strong.
Actually, the “new” should be the “old”. Don’t the scriptures say they will know us by our Love? We have moved very far away from that love – so far we have become unrecognizable. Non-believers know that Christians should communicate love. Because we are so political now and stuck on our theological positions, love has been lost.
Love covers a multitude of sins. Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love. Two commandments Jesus gives that fulfills the law – Love your neighbor as yourself and Love the Lord your God.
Let’s drop our theological positions. Let’s drop being right scripturally. I believe if we love first and foremost, the rest will take care of itself. That “salt” which is spoken about doesn’t preserve through holding onto our righteous positions in order to save the “purity” of this earth. NO. The Salt is Love. Love restores and preserves life.
Let’s get past our pro-life, anti-gay positions and see people as human beings. Maybe, just maybe, the stereotype of Love will be the one that the world looks at and say, “Awe, there’s a real Christian”. May our actions speak much louder than our words.