It turns out I’m an Evangelist.

It happens in those moments when you least expect it, when you’re not really looking for it. I found myself in a situation last week where I helped a friend take those first few steps of commitment toward a new way of life. As is so often the case, the seeds had been planted a long time ago, those persistent feelings that things were not as they should be, and that there had to be a better way. He started asking questions. I had the privilege of being a partner in conversation over the course of several months, answering those questions when they arose, listening when appropriate, and trying to always live in such a way that the truths of this way of live were evident.

I’m learning some hard lessons though, about Evangelism. I made the mistake of overselling, I think. He was expecting some things to become instantly easier, without really taking into account how much change this new life requires. After the initial high wore off, he started getting frustrated when some of his expectations weren’t met. Eventually, he’ll realize that the payoff makes the work worthwhile, but for now, he just a little overwhelmed by how different everything is.

I’m also learning that, when you walk somebody through a time of commitment, you make a tacit agreement to be their coach for a little while. I get emails and phone calls and IMs at odd hours, asking new questions, wanting reassurance, trying to work through some problems with somebody who has put in a little more time in this way of life. I don’t really mind – getting to help somebody new figure things out rekindles some of that fire that burned in me when I was brand new to all of this.

He’s also a little worried about the culture of this whole thing. He’s worried that we’re a bit cultish, that we have our own way of talking and dressing, and that we are kind of nerdy. He’s worried that he’ll become like that. He wants a new way of thinking and living, but doesn’t really think he fits with the kind of culture he sees in us.

But, at the same time, he’s realizing that he doesn’t quite fit with his old network. Sometimes, when he tries to connect, there’s a communication gap. Some of the pieces in his life don’t fit with this new way of thinking, and so he feels like he’s living in two worlds. He still wants to hang on to the old way, in some ways.

So, anyway, it’s been a cool thing to walk through this journey with him. I feel like a proud parent, even though he’s older than I am. I’m trying hard not to be the arrogant expert, but just to be available to him, to encourage him, and to offer myself in whatever way I might be useful.

So, it turns out I’m an Evangelist. I got Doug Scholten, our Senior Pastor, to buy his first Mac.

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