At a regional City Impact Roundtable in Austin, Texas, we were divided into groups based on the seven "gates" of the city. Each gate represented a sector or sphere of influence: Family, Government, Media, Arts, Business (marketplace), Education, and Religion. I was assigned to be a member of the Religion group and met with a stimulated and stimulating roundtable of ministry-minded sisters and brothers.

Each group had the assignment to brainstorm ideas of how the Body of Christ could become a redeeming force in their sphere. The leader of the exercise stressed that in each of the seven segments, the Church had the potential to demonstrate the mercy of God.

Our group focused specifically on how the Christian community, congregations and organizations, could begin to transform America's stereotype of the Church. Our assumption was that our culture views the Church as anything but merciful; disdaining most of our evangelistic methods, convinced we have none of Christ's compassion, and believing we see ourselves on a cruise ship rather than a rescue mission.

As we were sharing ideas, it occurred to me that repentance was one of the answers. Authentic repentance was a way to change the perception of religion, especially evangelical Christianity, in our cities and communities. Nothing new so far. But the light turned on when I recognized our acts of repentance have been almost exclusively internal; believers expressing sorrow to God and rarely to one another for sin and prejudice. What if that is only half of the repentance responsibility?

What if the Christian Church is also responsible to repent in each of the seven sectors? Wouldn't we see a reduction of defensiveness toward the gospel if we expressed our sorrow for abandoning the marketplace of community and civic responsibility as we hide in the fellowship of our church buildings? Is it unrealistic to believe that doors long ago locked to evangelical leaders would now open and allow us to have an impact in schools (Education)? Surely we would be treated more fairly in news articles and broadcasts (Media). Could we once again inspire by our creativity (Arts)? Maybe we would be sought out for answers to violence in urban communities (Family).

Usually our acts of repentance are staged on a platform inside our own four walls. But, the more I think of it, each of us could have a small but significant impact if, when the opportunity presents itself, we uttered a few words of how we sorrow over the absence or weakness of the Church. And imagine what impact a single congregation could have if, as God leads, they demonstrated their repentance through service in and for and with the community.

Which leads us to prayer.

Maybe we need to teach our praying groups to pray, not only in repentance to the Lord, but for God to give us opportunities to apologize to educators, family service providers, artists, city councils, persons of other faith communities. Sincere, non-manipulative expressions of sadness that our church doors have been "enter" only. Our forays into the streets and systems of society have been too rare and too unilateral.

It seems to me that praying for the other half of repentance might lead to the answer of all our prayers for revival.

Pastor Phil
http://www.PrayerLeader.blogspot.com
http://www.PrayingPastorblog.blogspot.com