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 An Open Door By Mike Jones, with Rich DuBose
CSS -- Mike, you have been a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, writer and published author. You've studied widely and have led out in numerous ministry-related capacities. What recently prompted you to spend generous amounts of time with two Mormon missionaries who came knocking on your door? Haven't you heard that you can't change these people--that Mormon missionaries won't listen to what you have to say? Jones -- I believe we've been saved to serve, and that includes anyone who shows up at my door. I also believe that truth under the unction of the Holy Spirit can overcome any brainwashing. Finally, I was intrigued that the missionaries showed a willingness to listen. They agreed that if I let them share their message, I could share mine, which of course was exclusively out of the Bible. CSS -- But you did more than talk with them about theology. You looked past their beliefs and asked them questions about their personal lives, their families and more. How did that go? Jones -- These young men were pleased to be able to talk about their families, girl friends, career aspirations. They were also willing to talk about what it was like to be a Mormon missionary making cold calls and facing a lot of rejection in their door-to-door work. I felt that getting them to share on a personal level helped me to connect with them, do some bonding, and have more influence with them when it came time for me to share my beliefs. CSS-- Didn't you and your wife even take them out to eat? Jones -- We did indeed. And they jumped at the opportunity. I have found that feeding people can be a wonderful way to connect. Diane Ackerman in her book, The Natural History of the Senses, writes, "If an event is meant to matter emotionally, symbolically, or mystically, food will be close at hand to sanctify it and to bind it." We learned much about these young men during this meal, some of which was very helpful as we continued to study together. The world often uses alcohol for connecting. We Adventists can connect with good food. I offered fruit, juices, and water during each visit, and they were usually accepting and appreciative. CSS-- How has this experience changed your thinking? Jones -- Well, it taught me that rather than getting into a scrap over doctrinal differences, that taking time to really get to know these guys as individuals gave me a lot more influence with them. In time they started asking me questions about my background. That gave me the opportunity to share with them my testimony of how I learned to know Jesus and the difference he has made in my life in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. CSS-- Mike, you have just finished re-writing a book, Help, Lord, I Blew It Again, that relates how God is working in your life and in the lives of the people around you. Why did you write it, and what do you hope people will gain from reading it Mike -- I wrote it hoping to encourage those who, like me, blow it a lot as they try to cope with their own weaknesses and addictions. More specifically, I wanted to provide some tools for breaking free from sin's powerful grip and becoming more like Jesus. I'm always thrilled when an occasional reader writes and says, "Oh, now I get it. I've got to die every day in order for Jesus to change me into a different person and give me His kind of life." Wow! That's it!
Mike Jones lives in Portland, Oregon. All rights reserved © 2010 Church Support Services. Click here for content usage information. |
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