Party Theology Application

Party Theology (part 3 of 3)

To Celebrate returning from Seattle, I threw a "Seattle Hipster Party." I gave a speech at the party about party theology and how we should be using parties as a way to evangelize to our neighbors, coworkers, and classmates.We are going to start having regular events every 4 to 6 weeks like the hipster party,

which will be great tools to use for evangelism. The next event planned is a sushi party!

                                                 

Party Evangelism 

Party Theology Part 2 of 3

Evangephobia 

Do you cringe at the thought of evangelism? Do you think it awkward to start conversations with phrases like “if you died today,” or “Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?” Would you rather get a root canal than bring a co-worker to your bible study? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions then you might suffer from evangephobia.

Evangephobia is a common disorder resulting from a misunderstanding of how Christians are supposed to go about making disciples. Side effects of Evangephobia include guilt, condemnation, and fruitless ministry. Evangephobia is a result of Christians believing in a false view of evangelism. They think evangelism is trying to convince people to accept Jesus through emotional manipulation, complicated arguments, or fear mongering. The truth is that non of these things can actually produce a disciple of Christ! Now that you know the truth, you can stop feeling guilty for not wanting to participate in awkward evangelism, and you can start actually making disciples.

Party Evangelism 101

Don't be weird.

The Apostle Paul says “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). This means that we should not create a Christian subculture which alienates people from accepting the gospel, but instead be a part of the culture we are trying to relate to. Some Christians confuse being weird with being a witness, and this is a barrier to evangelism and discipleship. Jesus was a witness but entered into human culture and was a friend of sinners (Luke 7:34B)

Be a Missional Partier.

People who suffer from evagephobia believe that once they have targeted their next evangelism project they should immediately invite the target to church or bible study. Evangephobics are constantly being stood up and ignored by others and therefore they fear evangelism. Invite an acquaintance to a party instead of bible study, and what do you know, attendance skyrockets! Jesus used parties as a key tool in his ministry and so should you. In the new testament. Jesus is constantly being found at parties. He parties with everyone including sinners, tax collectors and he even attends lame religious parties. Jesus starts his ministry at a party, and he brings the wine (John2:1-11)! He parties so much, with the “wrong people” that he is falsely accused of being a glutton and a drunkard(Luke17:34A) But Jesus does not just party aimlessly, he parties with purpose (Mark 2:16-17). As discussed in the previous blog, Christians parties should demonstrate our hope and reveal peoples need for the gospel. There is no easier way to evangelize than to invite people to a good party. I guarantee you are more likely to make a friend and once you make friend you are one your way to making a disciple.

Why Christians Need to Party Like

Redeemed Rockstars (Part 1 of 3)

by Johnny Walker (black label)

To Make them Jealous of Your Hope! 

We have all heard testimonies that start with "I used to be a huge party-er and then I met Jesus."  and these testimonies usually end with the frat guys, or sorrily girls drinking only soda for the rest of their lives. The new convert might even unwittingly be persuaded by their new Christian friends to drop out of Greek life and join a bible study, because that seems very spiritual. IT is not. As Christians we need to be reminded that we are not saved from partying, we are saved to party!    

A non-christian parties because they are living in the moment. They suffers from the "Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die" mentality. As they should, because this world is as good as it gets for them. In Philippians Paul describes their condition saying, "Their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things" (Philippians 3:19). An earthly party is essentially an empty celebration of not being dead yet, and death is a result of sin. This is what Pauls means when he says "their glory is their shame." 


"If your party does not make the world jealous of the hope that you have, then you are not living in light of the gospel and need to repent" 


In the next verse in Philippians Paul explains that a believers hope is  rooted in that "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body"(Philippians 3:20-21) If the world can party because their death has not yet arrived, how much more should we party to celebrate our eternal life. If your party does not make the world jealous of the hope which you have, then you are not living in light of the gospel and need to repent! 

Being a Theological Support Raiser 

God ordained three offices of leadership for the people of Israel, prophets, priests and kings. The prophets would lead by proclaiming truth and casting vision, the priest would lead by caring for the daily need of the people, and the kings would lead through organization and building systems and structures. However, even the best of these leaders failed Israel, and it became clear that Israel needed a savior who would fulfill all three roles perfectly. 

Ultimately, since the Bible is all about Jesus (John 5:39), the failures of the leaders of Israel all point to the need for Jesus, and glorify him as the perfect leader. This is a theological understanding called triperspectivalism. Many churches have recently been applying the prophet, priest, king dynamic to their own leadership structures, but I want to discuss specifically how these three roles are crucial for finding financial backing for your ministry.

"Prove that you are a prophet, a priest, and a king, and supporters will flock to your ministry team, fail to do so and only your mother will join you"

It is important that you demonstrate your sufficiency as a prophet, priest, and king, if you want to successfully gain donors trust, and ultimately their support. As a priest you show them that you care for them, and do not just see dollar signs over their heads. As a prophet you walk with them through theological convictions of your ministry, as well as biblical foundations for raising support. A prophet is also needed to paint a clear picture of the need for your ministry, and an envisioned future if the ministry was funded. Finally, A king is needed to whip out his strategic plan, showing the donor that you are not just some pie in the sky dreamer, but this ministry actually has a good chance of becoming a reality. Prove that you are a prophet, a priest, and a king, and supporters will flock to your ministry team, fail to do so and only your mother will join you.

But [the Lord] said to me (Apostle Paul) “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me

                                                      2 Corinthians 12:9

For someone who used to be notoriously disorganized, the thought of being a kingly strategic planner would have once terrified me. The good news is that I do not attempt to fulfill these roles in my own strength, but I do so in the power of the Holy Spirit. God does not make perfect natural leaders, but gives us weaknesses so that his glory may be made evident.This does not mean we continue to walk in our weakness and call it glorifying. Instead, we lean into our weakness and by the power of Christ we are changed.

THEOLOGY MATTERS...

 

but Only if it Results in Doxology                  

Meaning there is no good in having correct thinking about God if it does not lead to correct worship of God.

Worship is simply the revelation of what is ultimate in our lives.We were created by God to hold Him as ultimate. The deeper our knowledge of God is, the deeper our worship of him should be. The Devil and his minions have better theology than anyone, yet hell still awaits them!  If theology does not change us into mirrors of his glory, then it is pointless! We might as well be arguing over the meaning of  the Twilight series instead of  reading the Bible.  But good theology, coupled with the Holy Spirit leads to a transformed life of freedom, and Deep Resounding Joy! AND THAT is WHY THEOLOGY MATTERS!