The message came across loud and clear as I watched the TV the other day. Not only do I deserve 'it', but I deserve it now!
There is no doubt that two values that define our generation, and inform our lives are individualism, and immediacy. I take care of myself and at a stretch for 'mine', because I'm worth it. Not only is it all about me, but it should be mine now. Financial, emotional or physical debt is irrelevant, the way my wants affect you is irrelevant - providing I get what I want when I want it.
These same cultural values are reflected in the church. (Proponents find biblical justification for it, but let's face it we could justify anything if we tried hard enough.) There are loud voices crying in the wilderness, demanding individual evangelistic results. They are keeping score, cutting notches in their bibles and arguing that unless I am 'winning souls for Jesus' and doing it now, that I am failing as a Christian. They suggest that a relationship is only worth my time if a salvific result is achieved quickly.
This model of evangelism betrays a selfish agenda - it seems to say more about me than it does about 'others'. It appears to be more about validating me than valuing others. It's more about results at any cost; cheap, quick cultural conversion and a notch in my leather bound study bible.
If this is the model of evangelism to which I am to be held to account then I'm a failure, and I suspect I'm not alone. Lucky for me I don't believe it's Jesus' model (or is that just my justification?). It seems to me that Jesus was in for the duration, the long-haul relationship -not the lightening raid!
