In Lee Strobel’s book, Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary, Lee describes Harry as a person who is not interested in the truth. Therefore, he does not react well to “Thus sayeth the Lord”. And Harry is not interested in heaven since he thinks that it is out of reach; therefore, reaching him through concern for his eternal destiny is futile. What Harry is interested in is feeling better about himself. He is asking, “What can help me deal with my pain”; he is interested in “his marriage, his friendships, his career, his recovery from past pain and so on”.

We find that Lee’s description of Harry and Mary is apt even in the Singapore context. And since New Life Vineyard is a fellowship that is committed to reaching the unchurched, we face a bit of a tension.

It is well expressed by the eminent writer and preacher, Dr Lloyd Jones. In his view, the gospel is not just a message of comfort. The church does not exist merely to dispense some soothing syrup. The gospel gives truth, and the comfort (the self esteem, the fulfillment) is the result of (believing in and acting upon) the truth. You cannot bypass the truth and merely get what you want. You may want this and that, guidance and all sorts of things, but you will not get them apart from the gospel. The gospel is to be believed first, then, one of its product or by product is the comfort and the ability to live, that you want so much.

So the $6.4 million question we face is, “How do you reach Harry and Mary with the truth, help them with their most critical need get right with God through Jesus Christ and get their attention when they are not interested in merely religious messages, when in the first place they just want a tangible benefit?”

It would seem to us that for several mega church leaders, “felt needs” is the porthole through which Harry is reached, and the fuse to ignite his interest in the truth. For instance, Robert Schuller determined that the deepest human need upon which the church should focus was self-esteem. And Bill Hybels determined that it was fulfillment followed by identity, companionship, marriage, family, relief of stress, meaning and morality.

When Jesus stood at the entrance of the tomb of Lazarus, a good friend, he felt the pain and the sorrow of the family. Jesus was filled with compassion, and he wept. Jesus best epitomized the man on a mission; his coming to earth was to die in our place, and to fulfill the Father’s will for us all. His word and works were purposeful. Yet he was filled with compassion and ministered to the felt needs of those around him: To friends, to strangers, on sad and joyful occasions (such as a wedding), in mundane matter like providing a meal to the multitudes.

The gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached about is not a merely religious message. The sharing of it by Jesus involved both speaking and doing stuff, such as healing, casting out demons and miracles. As such, to reach Harry and Mary, we at New Life Vineyard will follow Jesus’ example: How can we not respond with compassion and lovingly to felt needs? We will be willing to speak about what has happened, and to exercise Kingdom authority and faith, as Jesus has done. We will also be offering any tangible helps that is within our means.

Doing our part in speaking will especially mean dealing with and pointing out the “why” first. We will explain and demonstrate as best we possibly can the wisdom of God and His words, His purpose with us, and His love for us. And we will illustrate and provide living examples of the efficacy of following Him, and be witnesses to the gospel as something that really works. We hope to lead Harry and Mary to know and experience firsthand the love and grace of God. Touch their hearts and lives and provide the motivation, before asking for a decision for Christ, before giving directions and before expecting a transformation!

And we will speak the full gospel by offering the icing on the cake, that with Jesus, the Kingdom of God is brought near. We will tell Harry and Mary that heaven is so close that it can just break through into their lives, and give to them life in all the fullness that Jesus promised. In doing so we are fully dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver.

We are just to reflect the glory of God. May we reach many many many Harrys and Marys and show them His mighty works, and lead them into His Kingdom.