Friends Outside the Faith

4 women talk about the challenges of reaching out with compassion while living lives of holiness

Moderated by Lisa Harper

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What happens when you mix good friends, caffeine, and provocative conversation on the topic of how Christian women should reach out to friends outside the faith? TCW wanted to know, so we asked our May/June 2006 cover personality, Lisa Harper, a well-known Bible study author and speaker, to gather three friends from different walks of life—Kim Hill, Eva Whittington Self, and Lou Taylor—and get their unique insights on fulfilling Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). For some stimulating discussion, read what these four had to say.
—The Editors

Meet Our Participants

Lisa: Scripture compels us as Christ-followers to be lights in dark places; we're to permeate our world with Christ's compassion, to play a part in redeeming culture, not to run from it (Matthew 5:13-16). So how do we really connect with people who don't claim to have faith in Christ without compromising our call to reflect God's holiness?

Kim: That's a great question. My realtor—who's gay—recently invited me to a dinner party at his house. Part of me wanted to attend because I've known him for years and I care about him. But another part was anxious about going. I wondered if I'd feel weird, or if I'd be able to carry on a conversation. I don't typically socialize with many gay people. I also wondered if it would look bad for me to go.

Lou: In 1 Corinthians 5:9, the apostle Paul says not to "associate with sexually immoral people"—but then he goes on to say, "not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world."

Lisa: The Bible cautions us to be in the world but not of it, but also calls us to be salt and light. When I look at who Jesus was in the gospels, I suspect he would have gone to a gay realtor's party because he didn't shy away from irreligious people. The reality is, people who aren't Christians are desperate for something that's honest, true, and real—and that's Jesus.

A Calling—or Obedience?

Lou: I have an interesting role in the marketplace because I work in the sports and entertainment industry. I know high-profile professionals who've come out of lifestyles of drunkenness, promiscuity, the whole thing. They can't put themselves back into that kind of environment because of the temptation it creates. The Holy Spirit imparts wisdom about how to handle certain invitations and opportunities. At times that may mean not even putting yourself into a specific situation. I believe the difference is if you as a believer truly have a call. I've always felt called to minister to people others don't normally get to. And I know a big part of that means hanging out with people who don't know God yet. I thrive in those situations.

Eva: Lou just said hanging out with people who aren't Christians is her calling. It's obvious Lou's wired for outreach, but do you think we're all made for that? Sometimes for me it feels more about obedience.

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Originally published in: Today's Christian Woman, 2007, March/April, Vol. 28, Issue 2, Page 36

Related Topics:
Evangelism, Friendship, Non-Christians, Outreach, Witnessing

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