Barbecue Evangelism

Barbecues - A great way to speak to our nearest neighbours in a language they understand!

I love barbecues. Those who know me will tell you that, no matter how wet and windy it may be, I'm always ready for a barbecue.

In fact, two of my biggest non-Biblical heroes, Homer Simpson and Al Bundy, are two men who appreciate the simplistic beauty of "The Barbecue".

This recreation of mankind's earliest foray into the culinary realm serves to remind us of our humble beginnings. It transcends our modern world and flings us back millions of years to a forgotten time; when a man lived or died by the strength of his arm.

Of course, nipping down to Mozzer's for a bag of charcoal and a box of burgers isn't quite in the same league, but the principle still holds true.

So you can imagine my reaction a year or so ago when I heard about the "On the Move" mission - evangelism through barbecues. What better way to demonstrate our love for our fellow man (or woman) than with free food - and free barbecue food at that!

First we had the full 'On the Move' barbecue day held in various areas of Leeds. Then we had our own little community barbecue in the area behind the Rising Sun pub.

Well, that was last year. Next Sunday we're having our second Community Barbecue, and I'd like to offer a few things to think about between now and next week.

Fellowship, Eating Together & Prayer

A community barbecue embraces many of the principles of the early church.

In Acts 2:42 we read: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Teaching, fellowship, eating together and prayer.

Teaching: we're doing it now!

Fellowship: This barbecue is for our enjoyment as well as for those who come to join us. It should be fun! Even if it rains, which of course it won't!

Eating together: Food breaks down barriers. The meal is an integral part of the Alpha course - for an outsider it's an island of familiarity in the weird world of church. It gives visitors a chance to see us at our most normal - hey look, they eat the same food as us, maybe they're not so different after all.

Prayer: As always, prayer is the key. Unless everything we do is guided by God, we'll get ourselves into a right old mess, and probably do more harm than good. We each need to take on personal responsibility for covering this event with prayer.

Who is my neighbour?

In Acts 2:46-47 we read Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The early Christians met in the temple courts. They were visible to the unconverted, and what's more, they "enjoyed the favour of all the people".

So they could be seen by the people, the people liked what they saw, and the people joined their church.

In the weeks leading up to this sermon, God has been speaking to me about our relationship with those who live in the immediate vicinity of the St Matthias Church: our neighbours.

The three things God spoke to me through were: - a walk I took around the local area; - a picture during an evening service; - the way Lauren treats her brother;

Seven Times

About a month ago I came to the evening service with nothing particular on my mind. I sat down, but after a few minutes I felt God wanted me to go out of the service. I went out of the church, and headed down towards the Wolseleys via the snicket.

I walked through the Wolseleys and back out onto Burley Road. 

God said, "Again." 

So I went round again. Back at Burley Road God said, "Again. Seven times." 

So I made seven circuits, going down St Matthias Street, round the Wolseleys, up onto Burley Road, round the church and back down St Matthias Street, with minor variations on each lap.

At the beginning of each circuit, God gave me a theme to pray about:

1: Safety in the home 2: The children's well-being 3: Job security 4: The beauty of the natural world 5: That they would know God's love 6: That we would forgive them for past hurts 7: That they would forgive us for past hurts

Each time I walked down St Matthias Street or through St Matthias Court, a scripture came to mind:

2Ch 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, (will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.)

It felt like God wanted to reach out to these people, who live in streets called St Matthias, but have little or no contact with the church itself.

Visible & Vulnerable

I had a picture in church last week during the prayers. I was imagining a wall of protection being erected around the congregation: four posts were placed at the four corners, walls were put in place, and just as I was about to finish the job with a nice roof, the Lord said that this was not what he wanted.

The roof disappeared and the walls were blown outwards. The two words I was left with were 'Visible' and 'Vulnerable'.

There were confirmations of the picture at the time, and I've been thinking about it on and off ever since. It feels like God is saying that an open door is not enough. We cannot sit here and wait for people to come through the door - he wants us to go out to them.

Lauren sharing with her brother

I've noticed a few times recently how selflessly Lauren shares what she has with her brother.

The other day as the four of us were walking along, I found a small box of Smarties in my pocket and gave them to Lauren. She happily shared them with Matt, one for you, one for me. 

When she came to the last sweet in the box, it was Matt's turn. I wondered what she would do. I needn't have worried - she gave the last sweet to Matt without a thought.

As some of you may know, we recently moved into a new house, with four bedrooms so the kids can have a room each. Matt & Lauren are currently sharing a room whilst the top room is being redecorated. But when we asked Lauren whether she wanted the top room to be her bedroom, or to stay in Matt's room and have the top room as a joint play room, she opted to continue sharing with her brother.

It was very different a year ago. I remember one time at Toddler Group when another child had a toy Lauren wanted. She walked up to the child, banged its head against the wall and took the toy. Simple and effective. Since then Lauren has been instructed in the doctrines of please and thank you, of waiting your turn and not hitting to get what you want.

The motives of a two-year old are very simple: I want it, I take it. 

This becomes: I want it, I ask for it. I say thank-you if I get it and I stay calm if I don't. This also means that if someone else asks for something I have, it's only fair for me to give it to them.

She has now reached the stage where she will give her sweets to her baby brother because it makes him happy. She reads him books, brings him fruit and plays games with him because it makes him happy.

Perhaps this is the simplicity of motive to which Jesus referred when he admonished the disciples who asked "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?":

Mt 18:1-4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Youngsters quickly learn the advantages of self-centred politeness: be superficially nice, but grab what you can and don't worry about the other fellow. This is very different from the simple 'want it, take it' of the small child - this is greed: the desire to amass more. To never be satisfied with one's lot.

When I encourage Lauren to give her sweets to her brother, I know I have more sweets in the fridge, or I can get more sweets from the shop. The sweets aren't important - I want her learn to be kind and self-less. As Jesus said at the end of the Sermon on the Mount:

Mt 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask him!

God wants us to unlearn our selfish ways. He has an unlimited supply of stuff in his fridge - it's the principle of loving others that he wants us to learn.

Sharing what we have

Jesus tells us there was a man who had a good harvest, more than he could store in his barns, so he decided to build bigger barns that he might not need to work again, but live off his stored up wealth.

In this story, and the story of the talents, we see that whatever God has put into our hands is temporary. We are stewards of his gifts, and the key is what we do with what we have.

The most important thing we 'have' is our salvation through Christ - the promise of eternal life with our creator in heaven. Better yet, this Good News is available to all, freely, in limitless quantities.

And yet we keep it to ourselves. If we could turn base metals into gold or had found a cure for cancer we wouldn't be keeping it to ourselves. Or would we? If a cure for cancer were found, it wouldn't be given away for free. At the very least it would cost something to produce. Sadly there are always who are willing to trade other people's misery for financial gain. We probably wouldn't put ourselves in the same camp as those people, but aren't we doing the same with what we have? It can't be bought, only shared. If we don't share it, they can't have it - simple as that. God has left the ball in our court.

This Good News is not something to be held onto, but given away. As Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you."

Next week's barbecue is about being visible and vulnerable, and about giving away Christ to our closest neighbours.

When Peter and the disciples spoke at Pentecost, those present were amazed because they each heard them speaking in their own language. 

Next Sunday we will have an opportunity to speak to the people in a language they understand.

Next Sunday will be more than a community barbecue in Jesus' eyes. It will be an Community Communion, with burgers for his body and ketchup for his blood. Jesus gave his life for these people. They need to know it.

God has given us a great opportunity:

Let's cook!

Next: To Boldly Go (24th June 2001)

Previous: Good Preaching (10th June 2001)

(Text by John Kershaw, barbecue by B&Q)