As I sat down next to the young man, we introduced ourselves, and I found him already breaking down my preconceived notions about him. He was funny, caring, and passionate. And I found him an enjoyable companion as we flew from Cleveland to Phoenix.
It did get interesting for a moment when he asked me what I did for a living. When I said I was a Campus Minister, he froze up for a moment, and then politely asked, "What does a Campus Minister do?" It occurred to me at that moment that perhaps I should be able to answer such a question.
What DOES a campus minister do? Actually, I did like my answer. I can't remember the exact words, but it was along the line of helping college students discover what the Christian faith is truly about (not what it appears to be) and how one can effectively be on a journey of following Jesus (because it is about relationship, not religion). I am going to think that through a little more, but I like the initial direction my answer took.
As we conversed back and forth, what I discovered is that just as I had preconceived notions about what he would be like, he had the same kind of misconceptions about what a Christian would be like. And so the wild ride continued...
Paul, how very true your observation that "we dont know them, and they dont know us" is.(I know that you didn't say that, but that's my own rendition!)Whenever I do a wedding or have the chance to be near the people of the world, I find that there is such a void because of our silly preconcieved notions about one another. When the conversation begins in earnest, I always find that the poor, carnal minded people of the world, are actually hungry to hear about what we believe but are just not willing to come over to "our turf" to find out. Must be that's why we are "sent". My brother, I am excited for you in that there is nothing that I know of that will light a fire in our hearts like being around those who so desperatly need what we have to give. Chris...
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