“Front To Back To Front” [Evangelism book – reflection on Not Yet Christian, Les Goertz, Abbotsford BC: Milk Maker Press, 2013, from Andrew] (1Cor.12:28)

Conclusion's the place where this process begins –
Assisting the folks now bogged down in their sins
Or those of their neighbors, whatever their mess
Reverse, back to front, gets much quicker success.

The sequence for learning’s not how to apply
For learning's not doing (but gives you the "why"
You need when applying this self-guiding tome);
Do process yourself ’fore you venture from home.

Conclusions then group: wait for Spirit to fall;
Ask questions (quick statements, for that's what they are);
The "stages of change" found in marketing lit
In various forms, helps your process a bit.

Then check out the context – what's up for this one
You've stumbled across, now your chat has begun;
Ten aspects of life give awareness of scene
For you to address where this person has been.

The context's dynamic and flows over time,
Not static "event" – "Slam-Bam-Thank You There Ma’am";
Ten myths he encounters (well, really, they're traps –
Off-ramps the swampland which you can drive past).

Today all are faced with dynamics quite new,
For cultures are mixing like vegetable stew;
Decoding the needs of a "third culture kid"
Is wide open issue – like worm-can with lid.

"Apostle", says Paul, is the first on the scene,
For boundaries of cultures exist quite unseen;
A "boundary jumper" is first on the list –
Decodes for the others – that's part that is missed.

It goes back to "Babel" – two stories at first,
Not one (of the Garden) – once sin did its worst,
God set up those boundaries to slow mankind down,
From trashing the planet – ’till way home be found.

But here is the kicker – a why for his text –
Cross-cultures and you to the graveyard are next;
Surrendered to Jesus (step ten of his steps)
Dissolves "Babel-allergy" – God's gift to bless.

Don't take down the boundaries between culture-groups,
They're there for a reason – use wall-jumper route
To affect a culture, to decode, assist –
"Surrender" (reversed) is now first on the list.

"Hard questions" are answered at end of your work;
The first now is last – (it will drive you berserk
If you try to deal with it back at the first
Of walking the talk) – this new process rehearse.

Thanks Holy Spirit for this.

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