The Agenda-less Faith
Posted on March 5, 2008
Filed Under Andrew Schwab |
Recently I was on an airplane, sitting in an aisle seat in a row all to myself. I had been traveling and playing shows with my band the previous several days and we had had like three hours sleep total in as many days. Now we were finished with our work, exhausted, with only one long flight standing between us and home. Needless to say this open aisle next to me was like a chunk of gold. At this point in time it was my greatest treasure, as if God himself had lowered a bed straight form the heavens itself. I sat there, alone praising Jesus for this gift that he had bestowed upon me.
As I secured my belongings and plotted my nap, I watched as the flight attendants prepared to shut the cabin doors. I glanced to the side of me, visualizing how amazing it was going to feel when my head was nestled against the side of the aircraft, my body stretched across all three seats in the row. All I needed to do was get through the takeoff and I would be in dreamland. I closed my eyes, sitting, waiting…
All of a sudden I heard a noise. My eyes flew open like window shades. Just as the flight attendant was about to shut the door, a man shoved himself through the opening. Panting, he spoke in a loud voice, thanking the somewhat annoyed attendants for holding the door. Good for him, I thought. I’ve been there many times. I closed my eyes again, not being able to hide the smile on my face, still taking in the beauty of my empty row.
The next thing I knew my eyes were flying open for a second time.
And the same guy was standing right next to me with a huge grin on his face.
“Can I sit in the window seat?” He asked me.
Inside me, my stomach fell like an anvil in a Wiley Coyote/Roadrunner cartoon.
“Sure,” I replied, getting up, smiling, trying desperately to hide how I truly felt.
I felt like I had just been stabbed in my spine with a large Ginsu knife, and I was ready to go on the warpath. I looked to the rear of the aircraft and there plenty of other places for the guy to sit. Yet, he chose to spoil, no, to absolutely annihilate my chances at lying down and sleeping.
Yet, at that moment I started feeling heavy inside. I started feeling the weight of conviction gnawing at my gut. I heard God’s voice in my head, spurning me on toward being friendly, cordial, and accommodating to this thief of a man, this criminal. I asked him, silently, What are you doing, Lord? I was just in the middle of thanking you for what seemed like a gift…
He began speaking to me almost immediately. He told me his name, and asked mine. I shook his hand, begrudgingly, again hiding the fact that I was fighting an epic battle behind my eyes between my conscience and my emotions. We began exchanging small talk, he, asking questions, me, responding. I actually would have cooled down faster if he had just sat down in silence and left me alone. After all, this happens on every flight in the world, every day. It was just that…I had gotten my hopes up so high.
I tried to cling to the hope that when we took off I could still sleep sitting up in my aisle seat. I mean, hey, it was better than a middle seat, right? Yet, the guy kept talking to me. I began to throw subtle hints that I didn’t want to make this a long conversation, like giving short answers, or grabbing a magazine from the seatback in front of me. Every time I did so, silence would ensue for like seven seconds, at which point he would begin talking again. This happened over and over again. But as this cycle continued, the Holy Spirit began to calm me, and I remembered who I was. I remembered why I was put here on Earth. What if this was a divine appointment? What if this was an opportunity to share, to witness, to win a soul?
As the flight took off I resigned myself to the conversation and engaged the guy. His name was Larry. We discussed football, politics, music. He was actually a nice guy, around my age, with many of the same interests. We spoke for a good majority of the flight, and it wasn’t bad at all. I was pretty tired the whole time, but as we were flying home, I did have the hope of rest in my own bed a just a couple of hours. I successfully beat the selfishness out of myself and did my best to show him kindness and love. We laughed frequently. I was building the backdrop, the setup, for sharing something more meaningful with him, though. My plan was to bring up the idea of church and ask him what he believed. towards the end of the flight. Perhaps God would open the door for me to lead this guy to salvation. I prayed that heaven would help me to choose my words carefully.
I began to feel warm and fuzzy as the plane began to descend, satisfied that I had persevered in patience. I thought to myself, I almost missed this opportunity. Had I consented to my shallowness, I would have forfeited this appointment. I felt like an insightful, obedient, Son. Like my dad was proud of me for understanding a lesson he was trying to teach me. I spent the last few minutes of the flight planning how I might best work God into the conversation. But the right moment had yet to present itself. In fact, it never would.
We touched down and gathered my things. Larry did the same, and we exchanged some more small talk as we began to exit the plane. I prayed again, but it just didn’t seem like it was in the cards for me to bring up my faith. I didn’t want to force it because I didn’t want the subject to come off as trite. Perhaps I could get the guy’s e-mail address and we could start a new conversation later on down the line. As I was about to ask him for his information, he said it:
“Andrew do you go to church?”
The question was completely forced, blunt, and awkward. Needless to say I was a taken aback. The irony of the moment was just a little too weird. So I responded, trying to hide my reaction:
“I do…Why do you ask?” I replied, curious.
He then went through a very rehearsed invitation to attend a meeting with a group that he was a part of. It was an invite to attend a Christian cult gathering with an organization known for heretical teaching, manipulative tactics, harassment, and coercion. I politely declined his invitation and went on my way, thanking him for the talk.
The whole thing had been a setup.
I felt like I had just been tricked into attending an Amway seminar.
It turned out he had targeted me when he entered the plane and our entire conversation was pre-planned. This group actually trained one another to spot potential “victims” and walk them through a very specific set of questions and conversational strategies to secure the “victim’s” attendance to said meeting. At that meeting they would obtain my phone number, address, and other personal information, at which point they would begin a series of blackmail tactics to secure my commitment to the group. I knew all this because I had had several encounters with these people over the years (in similar fashion to Larry, always declining the invitation of course) and had studied this particular group quite extensively in the past.
At first, I felt ripped off yet again. Again! Twice in one day, by the same dude! If he had just been up front with me I could have taken a nap!! UGH!!! I stopped walking and dropped my head.
Then, I started laughing because of the irony of the situation.
One of the biggest complaints I hear consistently from people wo do not profess faith in God is that “Christians always seem to have a hidden agenda.” In other words, the world views many of us as frauds, as shallow, as inauthentic. This is why I cannot overemphasize the importance of what I like to call “the agenda-less faith.” I believe that we are not called, as Christians, to sermonize or attempt to convert every single person we meet. We aren’t commanded to make a shallow pitch, a clever presentation, or a witty speech. Nor are we meant to be proud bearers of “bumper-sticker christianity,” complete with tactless t-shirts, tracts, and tokens which advertise spiritual slogans. God doesn’t want telemarketers. Why?
Because no one likes salesmen.
I believe we are called to love, through all things. Jesus said this was the greatest commandment. True, lasting life change through salvation was meant to be modeled against the backdrop of the genuine. And genuine relationship can only take place when the motive behind our actions is love. Love as an end in and of itself. What will separate us from the false and the shallow? An authenticity that says we have nothing hidden behind our eyes, nothing to sell, nothing to coerce people into.
Just a real faith that translates into everything we do.
We don’t need to do anything beyond naturally allowing Him to be displayed in all we do. Then people will gravitate toward what we have hidden inside of us, and we will not need to plot or manipulate.
When we are authentic in our love our fruit will be lasting, and those who are affected by us will be affected profoundly. That is faith without an agenda.
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43 Responses to “The Agenda-less Faith”
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“And above all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”
Well said, Andrew! It reminds me of what Rob Bell said in “The Velvet Elvis” about virtually the same thing. Thanks for encouraging me!
Thank you for sharing this. I feel like I needed to hear it.
“I believe we are called to love, through all things. Jesus said this was the greatest commandment. True, lasting life change through salvation was meant to be modeled against the backdrop of the genuine. And genuine relationship can only take place when the motive behind our actions is love. Love as an end in and of itself. What will separate us from the false and the shallow? An authenticity that says we have nothing hidden behind our eyes, nothing to sell, nothing to coerce people into.”
Wow. It’s so true! In real relationships, sure we try to sell ourselves a bit–we dress up, put on the sweet shades, whatever–but authenticity comes from the reality we’re not trying to sell something.
One cannot bear life nor exist long without relationships. And surely the Author of Life has made us to avoid shallow “sales’ pitches.” He has made us with great purpose. Wonderful write, Mr. Andrew Schwab! Much enjoyed.
-Nic
“Just a real faith that translates into everything we do.
We don’t need to do anything beyond naturally allowing Him to be displayed in all we do. Then people will gravitate toward what we have hidden inside of us, and we will not need to plot or manipulate”
those statements were very true andrew, people gravitate towards the joy and love that christians display, they dont need any sorta “campaign” to get to into christianity.
That is just what I, and many others of my fellow Christian friends have been trying to tell our “bumper sticker” friends and family that Christianity is not a business and shouldn’t be run like one. It’s a way of life. We have to LIVE like Christ. Not try to SELL Christ.
It’s not about how many converts we collect throughout our lives like we are taught in church. We were designed for relationship with Christ and we need to extend that opportunity by being LIVING examples. Having relationships with people. Becoming Christlike, not just acting like Christ to get people into our church doors. Christianity is not a club. It’s supposed to be all about HIM isn’t it?
Makes me so sick to think of what Christianity has become over the centuries.
We need to make ourselves available to live in the moment,keep a lookout for the needs of this world and to serve in that area given the opportunity. That’s what Christ did.
Thanks for your writings. It is a blessing for you to share even your most humbling experiences with us. I can’t wait to read more!
By the way, Project86 has been my favorite band since 1998. Keep rocking.
Katie Gilstrap
Andrew, Great blog. I had to comment. I have a had a hectic day. My blogs posts were piling up and instead of trying to catch up, I thought I would just go through and delete them. That way the bog # on my bookmark bar has a 0 instead of a 50-something. But yours caught my eye right before I hit the delete button and it held my attention which is rare for a long post. You held my attention with a subject that I am passionate about; agenda less faith. Plus, you did it very creatively. Thanks for a well written and expressed post.
Wow. Absolutely amazing. Once again you’ve opened my eyes to so many things I tend to ignore or miss completely. Thank you for sharing this!
Word.
I was definitely not expecting the twist in that story! Interesting read, and what a challenging, yet incredible, concept of the Kingdom.
Thanks, Andrew!
yes. a thousand times yes.
Well said, I’ve been there before. Too many times I get people trying to sell me on their beliefs, and I always tell them to go back and re-read the Gospels Jesus strove to build real relationships, not build up to a pitch. They should learn the difference.
Thanks Andrew. That was insightful and made me think quite a bit. I was just on a couple flights to Indiana and back and I had multiple conversations with people. But instead of sharing my testimony. I tried to just be personable. I guess I gave glimmers of what I believe. i.e. a book I was reading and why I was on the trip. So I hinted. But the little bit I’ve flown, it seems people on airplanes are treating their trip usually the same way people travel in cars. It’s a necessary evil to be on the airplane. Mostly b/c they fly often or just despise being cramped for periods of time with total strangers. I appreciate your thought of agenda-less faith and your recognizing how so much of it is relationship based. But thanks for battling to share your faith and for being real about it. I will keep trying to do the same.
,Matt
Just some thoughts…and I’m usually on the other side of this argument.
I’m scared that when we hear statements like: “Living as a Christ-follower isn’t about relationships and living in a way that reflects Christ.” we end up dumbing down the Christian faith as much as we accuse others of doing.
Even the heavens reflect the glory of God but it isn’t enough. Though it is of absolute importance that we do this, it is equally important that we also reflect Christ in speaking the words of truth, grace and life everlasting.
Andrew was prepared to do both and *that* is the holistic beauty of his actions in this story.
What an encouraging story! I wasn’t expecting the ending and I think that made it hit home with me even more. You are so right though just loving people where they are at and accepting them with an open heart is the best representation of Christ there is. The old saying “actions speak louder than words” is really true. Thanks for the post!
Really great! I loved it. However sometimes I feel rushed. I love my life with Jesus so much I want to share it, to the point that I do have an agenda. I want everyone that doesn’t know Jesus to know Jesus….NOW. So what does one do about that?
chad
Well said. I gathered the same point from Mark’s book - Simplicity - which I just finished. Couldn’t agree more.
yes, your band is amazing, but your brain and heart are amazing. what i wouldn’t give for a conversation with you. i admire you.
interesting, now i wonder what the name of that group is.
“What will separate us from the false and the shallow?… Just a real faith that translates into everything we do.”
So true. A real faith in the one true God, the one true Trinity, and the one & only true way to eternity with Him, Jesus Christ. Thanks for sharing! By the way, I encourage you to check out Mark Cahill. My pastor showed DVD of a youth conference he did some time ago. He is REAL bold (which is good!) and right on target. Matches up on a lot of levels to what you’re saying as well. http://www.markcahill.org
Thanks again!
Really awesome post, I agree completely.
we are called to live like Christ and i believe that many will come to know him through witnessing those actions. but we are also called to preach the Gospel. not to sell it, but to let others hear the good news of Christ. too many times people go to one extreme or the other. simply being a good, joyful person is not enough to lead someone to christ. often times, although it is uncomfortable and certainly unpopular, we must explain to them in words the reason for why we are the way we are and the hope that we have, and ultimately, everyones needs of a savior.
FINALLY! A way to profess my faith that doesn’t make me have to talk to strangers more than I have to!
Just like S.M.C. you just can’t sell God, plus salvation is free, shouldn’t we show it as just that?
Good Stuff Andrew!
A true role model!
Hey, I liked your story, Andrew. It had a lot of good things to say.
I think it might be important to clarify the “agenda” aspect of it. Certainly, we are not called to “sell” the Gospel. So, we don’t have an agenda in that way, but we are called to be intentional in our faith, which is expressed by the love we show to others. So, by being intentional, we may often get misunderstood as having an agenda. But I guess that’s expected. I mean Jesus was misunderstood all the time.
So, like you said, coercion is not the way to go. Love in action has its own power, which is enough to make people feel the mild discomfort of a good stretch and hopefully lead them to inquiry.
Thanks again for sharing your life experiences!
This story sums up everything I have been dealing with lately.. Alot of people these days see christians as stuck up “salesmen” who only “plant the seed” and don’t really follow through. But I fully agree that with actions of love and shining God through everything we do, we can much more effectively witness and show God’s love in other people’s lives. You and Shane Claiborne make me smile. :]
There are two types of Christians in this world,
those who know Christ and those who don’t but pretend that they do. By you’re words and raw emotions you are showing us that you know Jesus personally.
I couldn’t have it said it better myself and maybe you don’t realize how many people you help out daily with your trails and tribulations.
Thank you for the encouraging words as you are not only benefiting yourself by venting but you are also giving us a heads up.
Word up. I agree 110% and have had many similar situations where people treated me like a “soul” that needs “winning” instead of an object of God’s love. I’m just as guilty as well.
One thing that we often need to be reminded of reguarding “bumper-sticker” Christians: Their actions, although misguided, are rooted in a love of God and His Will. Give them time to evolve and have a deeper, mature, much more meaningful faith and relationship with God. They’ll get it. We shouldn’t have an “agenda” to change them into our reformed thinking just as much as we shouldn’t be trying to “win” souls. Just Love and walk your walk. Otherwise, we fall into the same exact way of thinking Andrew is talking about.
I could not have siad this better myself. Andrew you and your band are amazing. Having met you in person a few times with AMP and seeing you play to thousands is a testimate to itself. God Bless you in your endeavors and always remember what you are fighting for. To win the lost over to Jesus Christ through your music
Thank you for that awesome blog. It was very edifying. This is something I have often thought about but you did a better job than I could ever do of putting it all into a coherent blog.
This is an AWESOME blog Andrew, it truly blessed me. You have the gift of being creative in your writing. I Love It!!! I pray that you will continue to bless others with your band’s music and reach the lost.
That’s so true man. It reminded me of a book that I just read called ” 7 Biblical Truths You Won’t Hear In Church” The author talked about the difference between trying to live for Jesus and allowing Christ to live through us. Think about it, when we “live for Him”, we’re doing something that some part of us will think “Wow, look what I did.” But when we know that it’s actually Christ working through us, we already know who get’s the credit. And there’s no need for us to worry bringing it up. Because the love of Christ will draw them to Him.
GRACE&PEACEout
[…] Great article here on Relevant Online called The Agenda-less […]
Exactly! Thank you for writing this! I’ve been thinking about this lately. I used to think that I had to “win” everybody I met, but after looking at it from their point of view, I realized that that’s not very loving, and it kind of makes people feel used and betrayed. I’ve also come to the conclusion, after reading interviews with Ryan Clark from Demon Hunter, that things that are “cheesy” aren’t a good way to show people God’s love. For example, those shirts that have cheesy sayings about God are not a good way to show people who God is: God isn’t “cheesy.
Wow…I wasn’t expecting that! That’s crazy. I hate that people see Christians in the same way…I for one never want to be viewed as an obnoxious salesman with a rehearsed pitch. I hope more Christians see the light that you do and take this to heart…
Sometimes words aren’t needed when the Spirit of God is near. He is one that draws His children closer to Him and His spirit alone catches us up in a moment of awakening. We just need to LISTEN.
This is where people get misled, we are commanded by God to spread the gospel(Matt. 28:19-20) The Bible does say “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Living for Christ involves a proactive testimony not just a passive one where you expect people to flock to you because you are happy.
I love you. lol
Well put Andrew!
hey good food for thought. for some reason i’m suddenly thinking of other mums and my kids’ Christian school car park. there’s something not very convincing about psycho drivers about to knock you down in their mini-vans with “Jesus loves you” bumper stickers… i go on the philosophy that i have to live it before i can preach it, though the 2 go hand in hand, but my non-Christian family need to see me change before they are open to hearing the message
thanks for the thoughts
and thanks for coming to Australia!!
Relationship with God’s the most important thing to me, I’m not gonna cast my pearls to the pigs. At the same time though, don’t any of you think this is a cop out to not share your faith with somebody as God calls you to. Making disciples (Matt 28:19-20) doesn’t mean winning souls and then fobbing them off [Australian colloquialism] for someone else to deal with, it means loving a person into the kingdom and being there to help raise them. It does not prioritise preaching the gospel, though it is mentioned or implied (just for Sean’s benefit), it prioritises teaching a man to love and obey the Lord (coz obedience comes from love). Get to know God so you can introduce people to him, if your notion of who God is isn’t correct then you’re breaking the first commandment and worshipping an idol that you made up, and then when you’re preaching that God you’re starting a cult. Let’s get this thing right, they’re searching for something they can feel.
P.S. Make the Kaine Mutiny available in Australia!!!
I agree with some of what you said. We are to be Christ like and always with love. We are also given the great commission, to preach the gospel to all. I don’t think we realize that thousands of people die everyday and many without Christ. They will end up in hell. If we are to love one another, sharing the good news is a way to share that love. Isn’t that how God demonstrated His love in that while we where sinners He died for us. It is scary and hard to just start a conversation with a stranger and talk about spiritual things, but we must step outside of our comfort zone and not be prideful and think about what others might say. We should only care what our Lord says and be obedient to Him. And always, as mentioned, in love and in truth.
I don’t fully understand this…Jesus had the greatest agenda of them all. He came to seek and to save that which was lost in a number of different contexts. He wasn’t afraid to speak the truth just as he wasn’t afraid to love people with authentic action and/or inaction.
I think that the key is balance in walking by the Spirit in love. Some times that may mean being silent and just serving people, but other times that may mean speaking what the Spirit has put on your heart. Over-emphasizing either side as more important than the other is a tragedy. It takes away from the power of the Spirit in our lives.
It sounds to me like you might have missed the point. The Spirit stirred your heart at a specific point in time…you could have been used as a vessel to minister to that man in truth. Not that God can’t use someone else, but you could have had that blessing. It is sad to me that the majority of outspoken voices (like the man on the plane) in our culture today are not true followers of Christ, but instead they are the deceived individuals who whole-heartedly believe in what they are doing.
Jesus had an agenda…true. It was never hidden. What I take from Andrew’s experience is that there are a multitude of phonies out there counterfieting the message…when all we really need to do to build the kingdom is love people. Guys like that may make it tougher on “us”…it’s just a good thing that building His church is still ultimately under His command and control.
What I get from the previous reply is also true…Andrew had an opportunity and for a variety of reasons didn’t take it. Maybe that’s a word for all of us to be “ready”…attentive to what people are really saying. Andrew mentioned that the Spirit was speaking to him…but he never really “got that.”
However…if you believe that God works everything for good, etc…then maybe, just maybe God’s greater point for Andrew (and by him telling us the story, a poing for all of us) is to see that the Holy Spirit is always prompting us to love…not to sell…that the only real strategy is to connect with other people in a very real and organic way. There IS an agenda…and the agenda is LOVE…however, it should never be hidden.
I’m not sure what I would have done differently were I in Andrew’s shoes…but this definitely shows me that I need to constantly be “in tune” with the Holy Spirit. Until I get better at the latter…maybe I’ll just remember to pack headphones in my carry-on.
Or we could just make the agenda known right off the bat: “God wants you to get to know Him because He loves you and wants to be with you. And frankly, I don’t want you to go to Hell.”
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
-1st Corinthians 2:1-5