Evangelism as Exiles Quotes

“The time is coming, and is here now, when the world won’t listen to our gospel simply because they respect us. However, they might listen if we respect them. Because how can we expect homosexuals to believe our concern for God’s created order when we don’t dignify them as people made in his image? How can we call our coworkers to submit to Christ as Lord when they don’t see us gladly and respectfully submitting to our boss? How can we tell of God’s love for the world when we exhibit disdain and revulsion toward our neighbors? How can we demonstrate a Christ-like compassion for our enemies when all they hear from us is concern for our rights and privileges? To honor others is to have a genuine care and concern for them. So this is what we must do—even for those who have no concern for us.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“So stop living your life in fear, and wear the cultural dissonance as a badge of honor. Fear no one but God.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“Elsewhere in the country, however, and just about everywhere for young people, nominal Christianity is becoming obsolete: it costs too much, with no real advantages.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“fearing others more than God usually demonstrates itself in trying to please them more than God. To put it another way, you know you fear someone when you desire their approval and live for their praise.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“But when we suffer, if our collective Christian tone is complaint, if we constantly lament our loss of cultural influence or social standing, if we weep and mourn as if Jerusalem has fallen when our chosen political agenda is overlooked, then we expose our true values. Those troubling circumstances have a way of unmasking our highest hopes. Sadly, far too often they reveal our hopes have actually been in this present age and not in the one to come.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“For many of us, when it comes to personal evangelism, comfort has usurped our calling.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“So it is with us. We may be strangers and sojourners, in uncomfortable or less-than-desirable conditions. We may have had our rights and privileges stripped away from us. We may have neither the community nor the personal comfort we want. We may have been forced into unpleasant situations or relationships we’d never choose. But what if God’s providential hand has put us right where we are with a specific purpose—to bring about the salvation of his own?”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“And we must not be a people always longing for the past—for the glory days—but as those looking to a certain and truly glorious future. Then we’ll have opportunities to reason with others about the hope we possess.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“As freedoms slip away and suffering draws near, we must not be known as an exasperated people always ready to give an answer for our protest and grievance”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“We must recognize that the apologetic force of our preaching isn’t always that our message is more believable than another, but that it’s more desirable. In evangelism, we don’t simply make a logical case, but a doxological one. We aren’t just talking to brains. We’re speaking to hearts that have desires and eyes that look for beauty. We’re not merely trying to convince people that our gospel is true, but that our God is good. Over the years I’ve tried to move away from cold, structured arguments into exultations of praise. From giving evidence for the resurrection to reveling in its glory. From merely explaining why Jesus is needed to showing why he should be wanted. From defending the Bible’s truthfulness to rejoicing in its sweetness. Preaching the gospel requires propositional truths. Believing the gospel requires historical facts. But when we preach, others should see how those facts have changed our lives. They should hear us singing with the Negro slaves, “I’ve found a Savior, and he’s sweet, I know.” They need to feel the weight of glory. That’s because believing the gospel—like preaching it—is worship. Which makes praise integral to our preaching and turns our priestly ministry into delight!”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“We must be kind to all. We must honor all. We must shun the invitation to speak out on every issue, defend every position, or answer every opponent, because God may use such silence to save others.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land

“Far too often we're a happy and hope-filled people as long as our churches are prospering, as long as we have a seat at the cultural and political table. But it's highly unlikely we'll invite the world--other races and creeds and lifestyles--around our own kitchen table.  We're of the world but somehow not in it.”
― Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission As Strangers In Our Own Land