Kingdom Frequency

We all need wins, and sometimes we need numbers to experience a win. As a post-modern church planter, I no longer count people. Instead I count moments - God moments - moments of authenticity, honesty, depth, and meaning. Moments like those shared with Lydia* and Ken*.

Lydia, a program coordinator at the St. Catharines Multicultural Center, invited me to help her start a multi-faith dialogue group. We had our first meeting in October and only four people showed up. There was great conversation, but Lydia was discouraged with the poor turnout. I encouraged Lydia to keep faith. "These things take time. Trust me!"

Each month the multi-faith group continues to grow. Lydia is starting to feel this might be a success story after all. She recently told me that she sensed God had allowed our paths to cross for a reason and was bringing all these really amazing people together at the Multi-Faith group for something special. I told her that I could not agree more.

I met Ken when I was on a prayer walk in downtown St. Catharines. Ken was dirty, very animated, and make me laugh. When he asked me for money, I told him, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I do have is a credit card. Would you like me to buy you some food?"

With pizza and pop in hand, we sat down on a cement block beside the sidewalk. Ken told me his life story. When he noticed my shiny black shoes, he became silent and suspicious. He asked me if I was a cop sent to spy on him. I convinced him I was not and he went on to share stories about the cruel and abusive treatment he had received from the police over the years. Just then, some guy walked by and he jumped up to do his song and dance routine, asking for money. They gave him some money and I congratulated him. He assured me it did not always work out that way; many nights he is beaten up.

Ken evenually asked me what I do for a living and I replied, "I am what some would call a pastor." He raised his eyebrows and told me more of his story, his disillusionment with church and religion, his experiences with  God, and his desire for a job. I listened. Eventually he said he better get back to work and took off after a guy and girl walking across the street, cracking a joke and asking for money. I continued walking around, knowing I had just encountered Christ in my conversation with Ken.

I do not try to "save" people like Ken or Lydia anymore. I listen attentively and let them "save me." Being fully present with people helps me to get my mind off of myself, my presumptous sense of wisdom and my compulsive need to share it with others. I listen for God's presence in their stories and for God's Spirit at work in their lives. Once in a while, prompted by the mysterious God I love, I will point it out to them. I am beginning to understand what Jesus was talking about when he said we have eyes, but we do not really see, we have ears, but we do not really hear. I believe I am slowly starting to tune in to the frequecy of the kingdom.

*names have been changed