Ralph and David sat across from me at the cheap patio table outside our college cafeteria. Ralph was a staunch agnostic who loved medieval literature and J.R.R. Tolkien. David was an off-again, on-again church member with a passing knowledge of scripture.

It was our usual, after-class get-together. We had the best times, drinking coffee and soft drinks, occasionally scarfing pizza, discussing everything from literature to history to religion to baseball.

Ralph freely discussed Christianity but remained steadfastly agnostic. David knew a bit about church and faith but seemed to miss the personal step of choosing to follow Christ as Lord of his life. And they both knew that I was a "born-again, Southern Baptist"or as they jokingly called me: "one of those." I must have explained what being a Christian is about 100 times, respectfully debating the sinful nature of people and telling them about our need to have our sins forgiven. But I never implied to David or Ralph that our friendship hinged on their agreeing with me or believing what I believed.

Toward the end of our college days, Ralph told me something that has stuck with me and will forever, I hope. "Sean," he said. "If I ever do become a Christian, itll be because of people like you who can be real and take the time to get to know me and my worldnot just drop in and try to sell me on the benefits of Christianity, then drop out again."

This issue of On Mission asks: "Have we gone soft? Do we sugarcoat the gospel?" I could have taken the easy way out and just left my relationship with Ralph and David a simple friendship. I could have sugarcoated what Christianity is and not pressed the finer points of sin and forgiveness. And there were times when I did just that, but usually somethingactually, Someonewouldnt let me.

Through this experience, I relied on these three theological anchors:

  • The book of EstherAnd who knows, you may have been chosen queen for just such a time as this (Esther 4:14, NCV). God had put me there at just the right time to use me, the college days when many people are spiritually open.

  • The movie Casablanca"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." God had put me in just the right place to use me. (I know Casablanca may seem like a stretch for learning theology, but, hey, Im a classic movie buff, and God can teach a little bit of truth even from Hollywood.)

  • Experiencing God"Watch to see where God is working and join Him." God had given me a right purpose; He had chosen me (or "even me" as the hymn says) to be the tool with which He made Ralphs heart more receptive to the gospel.

I had to learn that, no matter how much I desired David and Ralphs friendship, God had brought them into my life for a purpose, to boldly tell His good news without softening it and to encourage them to know Him.

Thats a fine line. The temptation often is to water down the message of Jesus. (See our cover section.)

Its an issue we at On Mission feel so strongly about that were taking a new step to help churches nurture the on mission lifestyle. Were making available both a Baptist Men Edition and a small-group Bible study designed to interact with the magazine. You can receive an On Mission with a special 16-page section designed to help men lead an on mission lifestyle. In our next issue well introduce a four-page insert with questions for small-group study based on stories that illustrate key characteristics of the on mission lifestyle. (To order these special editions, call 888-239-3990.) These special editions will help you examine the on mission principles in small group settings and build accountability in your own evangelistic lifestyle.

Whichever edition you read, youll find that On Mission is committed to helping you share Christ in the real world.


Sean Taylor, editor
Adult Mission Education
staylor@namb.net