FELLOWSHIP FOOTNOTES

Newsletter of Hamilton Bible Fellowship
May 2008

In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
And do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

    Last month’s talk at Colgate by the Dalai Lama elicited a range of responses. What I’ve heard the most about was his answer to a question about how one should “proselytize” - to what extent it is appropriate to share one’s beliefs, especially with those who believe differently (I should note that he did not use these terms). His answer indicated that he thought this should happen only when asked first - endorsing an indirect and non-confrontational approach. Apparently this resulted in the most applause of the afternoon.
     What do we make of this? Certainly some responded in reaction to (particularly Christian) evangelism, and as such is a not unexpected indicator of how many in our community feel about it. Historically at HBF we have encouraged a more lifestyle approach to evangelism rather than a confrontational approach. It has been said (some credit St. Francis of Assisi): “Preach the gospel always; if necessary, use words.” Certainly we want to model attitudes and actions that attract rather than repel people. Peter said (above) to do it with “gentleness and respect.” Yet, the Great Commission from Jesus himself is to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them . . . , and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” The indirect approach only takes us so far. At some point we must use words. Evangelism, the gospel - is about good news - and that implies communicating content: with words. Good words . . .
     Peter says that we are to give reason for our hope. Biblically, hope is never “wishful thinking;” the gospel is not about “cleverly devised myths” that are there to make us feel good about ourselves, as Peter says in his second letter. The gospel is about truth, the realty that recognizes our brokenness and sin and what God has done about it in Jesus. We have nothing to be ashamed of, and everything good to share - because our hope is certainly not about us. Donnel O’Flynn, rector at St Thomas Episcopal Church here in Hamilton, had this comment (with which I heartily agree):

The Great Commission itself forces us to reassess what works and what doesn’t.
Jesus was interested in results, and if one result we have achieved has been to
alienate many, then that is not the result we want. . . . The 5000 people who filled
the Field House indicate that many people are looking for something. How to help
them consider seriously that Jesus might be the answer is a challenge calling for
our prayer and our best thinking.

NEWS AND PRAYER UPDATE:

Congrats to our graduating seniors: Dan Chung, Katy Fallows, Dave Jiang, Sarah Lee, and Betty Jo Roby.- pray for their lives after Colgate. Also pray for Mark & Melissa Mann & family as they move to San Diego to take a position at Point Loma Nazarene University. And - pray for the search for a new Protestant Chaplain!

Pray as we continue to move toward our goal of completing the building project by the end of this year, especially the remaining site work.

Pray for all of our college students who are finishing the year elsewhere - and especially for Meghan Schindler as she graduates from St. Lawrence University. Congrats!

Young Life is looking for new Committee members. Please pray about this!

THE QUOTE CORNER

The Gospel . . . appears infinitely superior to any human composition.
It has no mark of human ignorance, imperfection or sinfulness, but bears
the signature of divine wisdom, authority, and importance, and is most
worthy of the supreme attention and regard of all intelligent creatures.

Nathanael Emmons

COMING EVENTS CALENDAR:

Biblical Basics Class will next meet on Sunday May 18th. We will not meet on May 4th and 11th as originally scheduled due to conflicts with HCS events. We are still deliberating about a date for a Baptism this summer.

HBF is planning a family picnic for our graduating seniors on Saturday May 17th. Details to follow!

Initial meeting for this summer’s VBS will be at Park Methodist Church Tuesday May 6th at 7:00 PM. We will be deciding on dates and curriculum in particular.

May Birthdays: 12 Joe Evans, Clare Cady; 16 Suzanne Johnson; 19 Martha Fisher; 20 Meghan Pils;
22 Jordan Cox; 28 Terry Hayes & Gaye Andrews; 31 Regina Vanderneut