More

More. As I sit down to write this blog, a scene from one of my favorite movies comes to mind. It’s from Oliver when young Oliver Twist holds his bowl in front of his face and dares to ask the scowling Mr. Bumble for more porridge.

“Please, sir, I want some more.”

At Q Place we believe that the spiritually hungry are often like Oliver. They are longing for something substantial to fill the emptiness inside, but what they experience from Christians may feel more like Mr. Bumble’s suspicious gaze. Instead of being met at their point of need, they are viewed as a “project” rather than a person, dished up with an unsolicited gospel presentation or apologetic argument, rather than an invitation to be heard, welcomed, and invited to explore and find what they are really looking for. We are working to help twenty-first century Christ-followers engage people in the questions they are really asking, moving away from a structured,  presentational approach in sharing their faith, and embracing a lifestyle marked by simple actions of faith that translate into meaningful interactions about God with those who believe differently than they do.

But how can each of us who desires to see the Church live out the Great Commission begin to invest more of ourselves in those who don’t yet know Jesus? In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says this: “This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cup of cool water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”

We can all start small. The way of Jesus is step-by-step, built on cups of cool water. It’s something rather basic that we’ve overcomplicated. But we can begin to simplify matters by living like Jesus did and, in doing so, fill the bowls and cups of those seeking truth to overflowing. When we begin to express love through small, simple actions such as noticing, listening, and welcoming, we are giving the spiritually hungry so much more than mere words by which to know Jesus.

Together, may we demonstrate to the world’s Olivers, that Yes, there is lots more. It’s my hope that this forum becomes one of the spaces you turn to when you’re looking to discover inspiration and information to do so. There is another way to forge a pathway to faith for those who believe differently.

Mary Schaller
Q Place President