What Religion Are You?

In many parts of the world you can tell a person’s religion by the clothes they wear.

A Common Question

Where I have been traveling and ministering lately, it is very common for people to ask, “what religion are you?”  It is a question of genuine interest.  It is a question meant to lead to a religious conversation.

At first, I was surprised by this openness to discuss matters of such significance as God and our proper relationship to Him.  I have enjoyed a number of these conversations, from a wide range of belief systems.

But I also learned very quickly that this seeming openness turns out so often to be nothing more than a front for an opportunity to promote one’s own obscure religious sect with it’s smiling heavy-set guru.

An Uncommon Question

In the USA one of the quickest and surest ways to offend someone is to ask him or her, “what religion are you?”  And in our present cultural climate there is a high likelihood that you will be talking with a “none,” so the answer is going to be boring or undefined spiritual nonsense.

We might be afraid to ask because we expect closed responses.  We expect offense, anger or disgust that we would dare touch on such a personal and potentially politically-charged subject.

But I have found that such closed responses are very thin.  People are often closed but open.  They are waiting for you and me to ask one or two more questions, and then they will be glad to enter a discussion.

Push Through to the Openness

So, might we find ways to ask the question, “what religion are you?” and find the openness that is behind the closed-ness?

People want to relax and discuss.  We need not fear or take offense at people’s initial responses.  We are not promoters of some man-made religion that will make people feel better about themselves.

We enjoy honest dialogue and the opportunity to show how Jesus Christ brings meaning, order and happiness to all aspects of our personal lives and our life together in community.

Preaching That Doesn’t Spiritualize Idolatry

The majority of the world worships idols—the real kind, made of wood, stone and even plastic.

While it is also helpful to talk about the “idols” of materialism, power, relationships, and whatever replaces God and takes first place in our minds and hearts, we need to talk less about this and more about the other kind of idolatry.

An Opportunity Missed

So often when we in America preach on Bible passages that discuss idolatry we move way too quickly to application.  It is common to hear a preacher describe the background of the text in just a few sentences and then move on to talk about the “idols” of our society and the those things that usurp God’s rightful place as the object of our worship and affections.

We talk as though worshippers of physical idols are from a bygone primitive era.  Anyone who would actually worship a real idol must be ignorant or isolated from the modern world.  But this is not the case.

To move right to this application usually misses the main point, the obvious point, of the text in order to find some spiritual principle that will be immediately personally applicable, or culturally appropriate for us.  We fail to be faithful to the text when we spiritualize idolatry.

Idolatry, real idolatry, has a powerful grip on over 3 billion people in the world today.  They live in remote areas and in urban centers; they are poor and rich, and some are even highly educated.  Idolatry, with all its relics and rituals, is the fabric of many societies, being the key to blessing and safety, and even the conduit for various immoralities.

An Opportunity Reclaimed

In our hasty application we miss an opportunity to talk about the greatest application of our Gospel mission from God in the world.  These idolatry passages offer us an opportunity to understand our world better, to describe the religious nature of man, to feel the burden of the lostness of so many souls, and to burn with jealousy for God’s glory alone!

Acts 17:16–17 ESV “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.”

And when we proclaim the Gospel, people will turn “to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

Instead of using the idolatry sections of Scripture to address ourselves and our own needs first, we could use them to open our eyes to the greatest need of the world!  In fact, these passages viewed and preached in such a manner will become refreshingly new texts for us on world evangelization and mission!

Finding Your Church's Place In The World

The world is a big place, with lots of people and in great variety!  Churches often ask how to find a place in the world to engage in mission.  In prayerfully processing God’s will for your church in His Mission, here are ten considerations to talk about as a mission leadership team.

1.  Religious background



Do you have a preference one way or the other in working among people from a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Animist or Atheist background? If so, this will narrow down the possibilities quickly.


2.  Urban to tribal continuum



Think about what size of society sounds interesting, exciting or strategic to you. Do you see your church working in a tribal setting, or in villages and towns, or moderate to large size cities, or perhaps in a complex urban center?


3.  Climate comfort



Will you be most comfortable with sunshine or rain, clouds or open sky? Do you have an aversion to intense heat or cold? Such personal considerations matter when considering bringing in teams repeatedly.


4.  Culture basics



Look a little closer at the potential cultures you might engage. Do you like what you see? Are you going to find yourselves too frustrated or annoyed? Or, maybe it sounds like great fun!


5.  Easy to hard ministry continuum



Results are important. Results are guaranteed because this is what God does. But, what do you want to see happen and how fast? Some are most interested in working where conversions are common and churches get started easily. Others prefer more challenging ministry environments.


6.  Political situation



Persecution scares some people while it inspires others. Simply put, would you like to work out in the open or in secret? What level of freedom do you want? How do you envision your relationship with future national partners, and other missionaries?


7.  Level of Christian presence and development



Take your pick: pioneer, develop or partner. Is your congregation wired and gifted to go it alone? Or, to come alongside an emerging work? Or, to partner with established works? It is all significant and rewarding work, so just be honest about your preference.


8.  Type of ministry activity



What do you want to do? Do you want to evangelize, teach, train, provide relief, meet social needs, establish programs, assist medically, or plant churches, for example? Will you be most interested in locality or in regional ministry?


9.  Travel accessibility



How many teams will your church be sending and how many times a year? Can you get to the location and do significant ministry within your volunteer’s available 
time and resources? And to meet the needs demanded by the field?


10.  Commitment length



Can you make lasting impact within the attention span of your church and its leadership? Will you be there at least five years? Consider how long it would take your church to accomplish Kingdom purposes in a certain location.


As you talk together, more and more creative thinking will start taking place.  It will propel some people into further research; and many more to deeper prayer.  Eventually, it will lead to a high quality vision trip.

There is a whole lot more to consider, and things unique to each congregation.  But, hopefully these ten conversation topics will help narrow the field and get your church started on this life changing faith adventure with God!