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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?  CONSIDER THE FOUR L’S!

The mission statement of the Newtown United Methodist Church is “Helping Christians Grow and Growing New Christians.”  This statement raises a very important question: What does it mean to be a Christian?  Arriving at a shared understanding of what makes a Christian a Christian is crucial for us at NUMC if we’re going to fulfill our mission!

One understanding of what it means to be a Christian is that a Christian is a disciple of Jesus.  The word “disciple” is based on a word which means “a pupil of a teacher” or, simply, “a learner.”  Jesus said that we are to be making disciples (see Matthew 28:16-20).  Another understanding of what it means to be a Christian is that a Christian is one who follows Jesus.  Jesus also said that we are meant to follow him (see Matthew 16:24-26).   Another understanding is that a Christian is a miniature version of Jesus or “a little Christ” (which is the literal meaning of the word).  The Bible certainly has many references indicating that we should be Christ-like in what we say and do (see Ephesians 4:16 for an example).  Yet another understanding is that a Christian is someone who is part of the Body of Christ (the Church).   The book of Acts is filled with examples of how the Holy Spirit empowers the entire body of believers to engage in the ministry of the risen Christ (teaching, healing and casting out evil).  Perhaps the most popular – and basic – understanding is that being a Christian means believing in Jesus (Acts 16:31 would certainly support this).   This understanding takes on new meaning when you realize that the word “believe” is based on a word which means “trust.”

I wonder: Which of the above understandings most resonate with you?  How would you best define what it means to be a Christian?  Remember, coming to terms with what it means to be a Christian is essential to helping Christians grow and growing new Christians!

Allow me to suggest to you an understanding that has served me well for quite a few years.  This understanding takes into account the biblical views expressed above and does so in a way that you can remember easily.  (I’m a preacher, and preachers like to make items on a list start with the same letter!)

I call this “The Four L’s of Being a Christian.”

A Christian is a person who:

LEANS on Jesus for salvation – This means a Christian trusts in the death and resurrection of Jesus for forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with God;

LEARNS from Jesus about God’s values – This means a Christian knows and lives out of the values taught by Jesus;

LIVES for Jesus through acts of service – This means a Christian shows others the same self-giving love that Jesus showed on the cross;

LINKS his or her life to a community of faith – This means a Christian does not seek to “lone ranger” the Christian life but regularly seeks the support, encouragement and synergy of the Church.
  
Well, there you have them – the Four L’s!  What do you think?

If we can agree on such a definition, we can fulfill our mission statement to a greater degree!  We can focus our congregation’s ministries on helping people lean, learn, live and link.  We can ask ourselves how each ministry of NUMC is helping people lean, learn, live and link to a greater degree (or, for new Christians, for the very first time!).  With the Four L’s in mind, we can better make adjustments and improvements to our ministries to make sure that our mission statement remains a guiding force for NUMC and not just words on a page.

When you stop and think about it, you realize (as I just did writing this article) that the Four L’s relate to the major ministry areas of our congregation:  Leaning (Evangelism); Learning (Christian Education); Living (Outreach); Linking (Worship).  How do you like that!

Are you ready to help people with the Four L’s?  Are you ready to increase the Four L’s in your own life?  I know I am.  I’m excited about helping Christians grow and growing new Christians at NUMC!

Blessings Always,

Pastor Blaik

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