The thing is, did Jesus go into the bars of the time to join with the sinners and if this is the case, how far will we take this?  Will we next begin men's Bible studies in massage parlors or strip clubs?  Psalm 1 comes to mind.

We have a sad tendency to utter the words "ministry and outreach" without even a fleeting thought of truly reaching the lost.  The Gospel, needs no "hook" as it were to be effectual.  Utter the True Gospel and God will reap the harvest, all we must do is obediently pour forth in utterance.

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Was he a glutton? No

A sinner? No

A traitor (tax collector)? No

But he was accused of being one, or being with all of the above.

I think it's significant that Jesus turned water into wine for His first recorded miracle. 

I've heard of chruches around the world (NYC, London come to mind) where churches are held in bars on the slow night of week.  They don't compromise the message, but the don't stop the regulars from having a beer while people open up their Bibles. 

I know they are accused of being a bunch of 'drunkards' and although our service is not held in a bar, I hope I get accused of the same thing someday.

Yes there's risk.  But I'd rather take the risk and be light and salt in the world, than be safe and be light and salt only with other light and salt.

Be the Revolution

Have you studied out what the significance of this miracle and how it is a fulfillment of prophesy?  Guys, I am not saying that a person cannot drink and I am not saying that we should not get into our communities and impact our culture, but we need to be careful about suggesting that we need first to build relationships with people before we share the Gospel.  The lost will be turned off by the Gospel, we are assured of that.  The spiritually dead are disinterested in the Gospel and the things of God, we are reminded of this in Scripture.

But we stand a far greater risk of standing in the presence of our God with the blood of lost souls on our hands of those we have misled into thinking that they are Christians because they joined a ministry outreach, a Bible study, a church, or even worse said a prayer, than we do when we urgently call out to the lost to "Repent and Believe!"  The utterance of the Gospel is not about building relationships, it is about obedience to God in rescuing the perishing.  Would you rather build a relationship with the doctor who is doing CPR on you because you have stopped breathing before or after he has saved your life?

I am not suggesting that we save people; God alone has wrought salvation.  Our responsibility is first to reach the world with the Gospel, then we are to disciple, mentor, build relationships.

I actually agree with you...to a point.  I'm not 'anti-proclaimation' of the Gospel by any means.  And I would agree that there are times and places for the "Way of the Master" that you mentioned on another thread.

However, when you look at the big picture, Jesus spent 30 years doing his earthly fathers work before he started to proclaim.  It's interesting to note that when he did, people were amazed.  Although it could have happened, there is no record of anyone saying upon Jesus quoting Isaiah, "I knew it.  There was just something about that guy!"

For all intensive purposes, he was just a guy.  He built relationships.  The greatest missionary, God himself, didn't send tracks from heaven, or send down stone tablets (oh wait, that did happen in the OT), He sent the Word, as Flesh, and dwelt among us.  He was one of us.  Why?  Because He wanted relationship with us.  To save us, so we could have relationship with Him.

The idea is not to 'save people' and then have relationship with them.  That makes love conditional upon belief.  Yet while we were yet sinners, Christ died, and we love Him because he first loved us.  The idea is to build relationship with people in order to live as Jesus to them.  That doesn't cancel proclaimation, but it does put it in perspective.

Nothing against Kurt Cameron (sp?), but how many people walk away, and in two days forget about it.  No trust is built.  No relationship is established.  Tracks end up in the trash.

The word of God is powerful, but the greater testimony to God is not what is written, but what is lived in the lives of those who follow what is written.

Sorry this is getting long :-)

Quick story:  A friend of mine and I went to the Gay and Lesbian office at a nearby university to simply begin to build relationship with the people there.  We had a great time.  They knew we were from a 'church', but we were clear that we wanted to get to know them as people.  Someday I hope that grows, and they don't see Christians as 'gay haters' but people who are flawed and beautiful, and we serve a beautiful God.  There is no agenda but to love them as Jesus would.  Someday, hopefully there will be a time to 'share the gospel', but if we stared with that - and they've heard it 100X before- we wouldn't have built a bridge into their lives, but we would have built a wall, keeping them out. 

I want to be accused of loving that community.  I want to cross a bridge (think 4 spiritual laws) not build a wall and wipe our hands clean saying it's their fault they rejected the message. 

Peace  :-)

Be the Revolution