C.S. Lewis writes:
"Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."
I believe he is right. For years when I started out in this ministry, I thought I had to repackage and re-invent things so I could be just as effective and popular as the next guy. I was frequently trying to put my own spin on things so I might appear clever or original. I have discovered now that as I try less and give to God more, all the while being honest with what I offer Him and others ~ no strings attached ~ God blesses it and it does become original enough to strike someone in a way they hadn't thought of before.
I agree with another great philosopher in saying that "there is nothing new under the sun" and that our message is a couple millenia old, but one would be surprised at the constant effort made to soft-soap, water-down or manipulate the message ~ or others ~ in order to be effective in conveying it.
Example: Come out to this really fun event with pizza, friends, music and games ... then once we've lured you in we'll hit you with the Gospel! Be my firend so I might have an opportunity to share this tract with you.
I think authenticity and consistency in living a message of reconciliation and redemption is the most effective and truly God-ordained method of outreach.
People can see through slick programmes and projects, rallies and tracts are declining in results (even using that word I cringe, because that is what it has become: results driven); we've done them for years and they are becoming increasingly inefficient.
Now that I have said so and effectively "thrown down the gauntlet", please pray for me to be consisent and authentic "as I go". And read Paul's thought and defence here: I Thessalonians 2. 3-5.
