Christian Culture Makers Keep It Simple

If one were to go down into one of the basement rooms at Argonne National Laboratory, one of America’s major atomic research and development centers, one would find a glass case next to an electronic computer which bears the inscription, “In case of emergency, break glass.” Inside the glass case is an abacus. That’s right, this most primitive and simple calculating instrument reminds the scientists that not even the most advanced scientific instruments can handle every emergency of life.

The same can be said about ministry. Even the most "advanced" outreach programs cannot successfully handle every aspect of creating a Christian culture. In and of themselves they are not culture makers nor do they possess the ability to influence. That’s why CCM’s (Christian Culture Makers) don’t burden themselves with creating outreach programs. CCM’s rely on the most simple and natural method for creating culture- building relationships.

Relationship-building is as primitive and simple as the abacus when it comes to cultivating Christian culture. The more CCM’s engage people and genuinely share their Christian experience with them the bigger their sphere of influence becomes. CCM’s influence others by their true and honest efforts to serve in even the smallest matters with natural simplicity.

So how does a CCM begin practicing simplicity? A CCM begins where they’re planted. Starting small is the key to overcoming the paralyzing fear of Christian culture making. CCM’s start with their “local.” The local is simply your sphere or circle of influence. It’s the spot that only you can fill. It’s not governed by the monolithic social forces or a handful of people in power; it’s the place where you’re free to exercise your unique influence and make a difference.

Another part of a CCM’s success is their ability to recognize and acknowledge other Christian people who use their Christian lifestyle to participate in the culture around them. Typically, church members recognize other church members for fulfilling their church roles but CCM’s take it a step further and celebrate the roles of church members outside of church walls.

Christians who return to the basics of ministry and outreach will discover that simplicity opens the doors to people’s hearts and generates the greatest results in cultivating a Christ-centered Christian culture.

Culture Making Only As Good As Your Partnerships

No. I'm not part of a group that's advocating for an "Idiot Free America." Although the thought of living in an idiot-free culture does have its perks, how boring is that! In any case, the message hits on an important ingredient for creating culture; partnerships.

I used to think of ministry solely as an act of service to others. Whether it was ignorance or the appeal of the rugged individualistic nature of the lone star hero who single handedly saves the day, whatever the reason may have been, I had never thought of ministry in terms of partnerships.

Over time I’ve learned that ministry is also about creating partnerships. I've been blessed to have several people in my life who I consider partners in cultivating ministry. In turn I wanted to share that knowledge with others which is why I've started mentoring.

The more successful you want your ministry to be, the more successful partnerships you need to create. If you’re out to create and cultivate a certain culture you’re going to have to surround yourself with people who can help you till the ground. This is especially true if you’re trying to create a new culture in an environment where culture shifts are looked upon with skepticism or rejection.

In addition to helping prepare the way, creating partnerships also helps make ministry more meaningful. There’s plenty to learn from the people around you and the more tools and insight you can acquire from, them the greater impact your ministry can have and the deeper your culture can take root.

So where do you start looking for potential partnerships? Start at your own church. There are plenty of qualified and experienced people who are dying to sit you down for 8 hours a day if they could and fill your head with delicious ideas. Ok, maybe that doesn’t sound very appealing, in fact is sounds a little creepy.

In any case, look for those people in your church who have successful ministries and have created a culture around those ministries. If you don’t know them personally find someone you know who can introduce you. Express your desire to learn from them and ask them to help you create a culture-making ministry for yourself. In time you’ll discover that your network will grow along with your opportunities. It may take some guts to do that at first but in the end it will be a rewarding and spiritually fulfilling experience.

Creating Culture Begins with Cultivating Experience

I recently started a mentoring program with a couple of friends called, The Christian Culture Maker. One of the first topics we covered was the importance of using one's own life experiences to reach out to others. Here's a couple of short stories that I think illustrate this point very well.

Catherine Rohr is a private-equity investor and Christian who after visiting a prison was impressed by the number of inmates that really knew God. This led her to start the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Through this ministry inmates committed to leaving a life of crime behind have learned valuable business skills that have helped them rebuild their lives and strengthen their faith.

Makoto Fujimura, a renowned abstract artist and Christian, was inspired to create TriBeca Temporary, a space for local artists to create experimentally in order to restore wholeness following the terrorist attacks of September 11. He also launched an international arts movement to ‘re-humanize the world.’ His love for visual communication came from his childhood frustration of having to learn English.

Creating culture often begins with cultivating and nurturing one’s life experiences wherever there’s opportunity and need. Once those experiences take root in the lives of others then culture begins to flourish. There is a need in our world to have people with positive and spirit filled Christian experiences to cultivate those experiences in the lives of others. Culture makers usually make a difference because where they’ve been helps them determine where they’re going and who they’re reaching.

- Stories taken from Christianity Today, Sept 2008

What are the experiences in your life that you believe God can use to reach others?

Where might there be opportunities or needs for you to cultivate your Christian experiences in the lives of others?