Chameleon

"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible (I Corinthians 9:19)." - Paul was clear on his mission, "To win as many as possible" and he determined that one way he would do that would be be to consider himself a slave, a servant, to everyone even though he was free and not required to do so.

"To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I becamse like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some (I Corinthians 9:19-22)." - Paul was a chameleon, changing as he felt he needed to change. But unlike the chameleon, he did not change to hide (for some would say that is the purpose of the chameleon), but instead he changed to accomplish his mission, "To win as many as possible."

What is our individual mission or purpose? Is everything we do consistent with that mission or purpose? How about New Hope Community Church? Our purpose is "To honor God by making passionate followers of Jesus Christ through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit." Our purpose lies in making passionate followers... is everything we do aligned with that purpose. Are we what we need to be to those following Christ to make them passionate? For those brand new to their faith are we helping them become followers of Christ? For those starting to seek are we there to answer their questions and help them see who Christ is? For those far from God are we being Christ?

God has given a tremendous purpose and calling to New Hope Community Church. There is a broad spectrum of people that we engage with. There may be times where we must become all things to all people for the sake of winning as many as possible. The danger is the appearance of inconsistency... but the inconsistencies are in the strategies, but there is tremendous consistency in the purpose. We must never confuse strategy for purpose. God bless you....