How do the 20 engage the 80? Soft vs hard messages
- How should the active 20% engage the less-active 80% without judgment or baggage?
Returning to substance, the hosts ask how the active 20% should engage the 80% - take them by the hand, or let God do his job? A newcomer anecdote (a man who fled a church after being offered volunteer work in week six) tests the 'take them by the hand' instinct. Psalm 119's sweetness of God's word is quoted against both fire-and-brimstone and feel-good extremes; Andrew, Peter, and Paul model Scripture's range of evangelism styles. The hosts land on genuineness: ambition and laziness both detract when performed rather than real.
More on Evangelism
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Church, emotions, and the self-focus of affluence
- How do you help people in an affluent, self-focused culture see that they need Jesus?
Ben revives a question from two or three shows back: are church services and worship tunes postured toward certain personality types — predominantly emotions and dealing with emotions?
From No. 603 · Found Out
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Confetti and lasers: what should God's people be known for?
- Do we want to be known as the confetti and lasers people?
- What should God's people be known for?
Ben redirects to the docket's denomination question: when someone hears Silas's church described as 'the confetti and lasers people,' should that sting?
From No. 598 · Emphasis | Accountability, Worship and Praying with Strangers
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Dear LFTP: the $600 lawnmower and buying them a mower
- My nephew's wife took my $600, lied about it, and is avoiding me. Should I say something or let it go?
Mike reads a letter from someone who gave a nephew's wife $600 for a self-propelled lawnmower; she spent it, never bought the mower, and now avoids them.
From No. 587 · Coffee After Sunday
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Maintaining hope for people who won't choose Jesus
- How do you maintain hope for someone who keeps rejecting Jesus when God won't override their free will?
The episode's centerpiece: Mike's pre-show question about how to maintain hope for people who reject Christ when God won't override their free will.
From No. 579 · Wanted: Paul and Hope | Paul’s Persecution of Christians and Radical Redemption