The Gym And The Gospel?

I don't know what else to call the ministry God has placed us this summer with the "neighborhood kids"other than a gym ministry. We began to invite kids to our church gym on Wednesday nights this summer. Our church typically takes a break from student ministry and children’s ministry on Wed. nights due to the members taking vacations and such. The kids from the neighborhood across the street from our church began to show up right before our break from youth ministry occurred. Well, actually there were a few showing up all during our youth ministry. But during the summer, word got out that we were going to open the gym on Wed nights for the local kids to come and play. We even ran the bus a few times. Most of the kids who showed up were black kids from 6-15. The neighborhood most live in is riddled with violence, poverty and drugs. Most are unchurched and if they do attend church it is very, very poor doctrine or downright heresy. Our youth pastor began this summer gym ministry with no set plan or curriculum. We began with the idea of opening the gym, letting them play freely for about 30 minutes or so, then calling them together. We separated them by gender and would share a devotion with them from God's word. There were maybe, 20-35 kids showing up most Wednesday nights. So, what has God privileged me to see during this time? What has God shown me about our church and more importantly about myself? I am going to try and list a few thoughts and struggles. It’s not exhaustive by any stretch. Since I am still trying to process this stuff. These are honest thoughts, and I am sure some are not very theologically framed. You know, since us Calvinistic folk are such sticklers for theological correctness. So, forgive me if I veer slightly. I have many questions and observations I am beginning to wrestle with. Here are a few. Well here goes!

1. Wow, 98% of Our church is white! I don’t mean the color of the building. Oh sure I noticed it somewhat but not like now. Not to say that there is anything wrong with that. But, yet we sit smack dab in the middle of a predominately African American neighborhood. That brings me to something else I have thought about lately. Why is it I don’t know what to call these kids? How do I refer to them as I write this, black, African American, or colored? I think that is why I and others refer to them as the “neighborhood kids”.You know, trying to be politically correct, I guess. How about just call them by their names, hmm what a marvel concept.
I have listened to a couple of pastor’s talk about the lack of the blacks with in the reformed faith. Pastors such as Thabiti Anyabwile, who by the way is one of my favorite pastor/ bloggers. I have recently listened and read articles by reformed Pastor Eric Redmond who has written a book “Where are all the brothers”. trying to understand this issue and problem.

2. Some in our church somehow think that we were just allowing them to have fun and that was it. Oh, how mistaken those who think such things are. I and the others who share these devotions with these kids are motivated by the gospel. In fact the word devotion is a poor description of what we do. Actually we share the gospel of Jesus Christ when we get these kids together. Not just a bible story. You see, I understand that as I see the faces of these kids change from week to week that I may never see them again. I am not much of a fan of the relational evangelism model. Where is it that some get the idea we have to get to know someone for weeks before we share the gospel with them. Let’s just say for example you have pegged someone as a possible gospel candidate and after a while of getting to know them, right before you have planned to present them the gospel, (of course, after you felt now is the time) after you have built some sort of relational bridge and all, you find out they have just died. How will you live with the guilt of waiting for that "right" moment and not sharing the gospel? You might say, “Well God is sovereign, He must not have meant them to here the good news”. What! No, maybe you were just disobedient!
I see this as an opportunity that I will not let pass away. It is the gospel that raises to life the spiritually dead sinner. It is the gospel that transforms lives and releases the chains of sin. It is the gospel that saves. It is what we as Christians are called to do, to evangelize. Most don’t have a clue that this is our motivation. We don’t look at this as organized carnality. Although at times that is what it appears to be, due to the behavior of the kids. Some may never ever have the chance to hear the gospel. At least an accurate presentation of the gospel and not some squishy feel good “Jesus has a wonderful plan for your life” gospel or even worse, if that isn’t bad enough, heresy. No we give a call for repentance. We preach sin, righteousness, and judgment. We preach a command to respond to the gospel today not “just” a free offer. We preach for conversion not decision.

Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." -Acts 17:30

"And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ..." - 1 John 3:23

3. In these short weeks I have learned more of these kids’ names and where they live, and what their hopes and dreams are then I know the names or where some members of our church family live, much less about some of their burdens and needs. . What is sad is my family and I have been attending this church for 3 years. This is where I have one of those Arsenio Hall moments, for those old enough to know what I mean. You know "things that make you go hmmm". What does that say about our church? No, really what does that say about me?

4. Why are we so freaked out over their behavior problems? How else do we expect unregenerate people especially undisciplined kids who are raised by only one parent or a grandmother and no real father figure in the home to act? Especially those who have grown up in the environment like they have. Why is that so hard for us who are claiming regeneration to really get? After all we were all enemies and hostile toward God ourselves at one time. I know, I know, you can’t blame it on their environment as the reason they act this way (unruly at times) it is the sin that they are in bondage to. True enough, but “be for real” a minute. Most kids in our church have never been subjected to the conditions and environment these kids have. Most in our church have never walked across the street or even set foot in that neighborhood and seen it for themselves. Yes we need order. Yes we have to have some form of civility. When there isn’t, we escort them out. But,where is the compassion?

5. Should we invite these kids to come and hear the gospel and God’s word? Should that be done over there in their neighborhood? By inviting them in to the midst of our youth, are we potentially harming our youth in some way? What should be our youth and their leader’s response toward these kids? If we allow our youth to look down their noses at these kids are we helping create an atmosphere that is conducive to becoming little Pharisees? Have we already become Pharisees and God is revealing this to us through this?

6. Why has God allowed this to happen? What is it God showing us? Will we miss this opportunity to grow as a congregation and individuals?
I pray that God saves some of these kids. I do know that the seed has been sown. It is up to God to cause the growth.