[00:20] What If We're Missing Opportunities?
As Christians, we can sometimes look at the activities, interests and communities people are involved in and respond negatively.
We might see certain environments as inappropriate, unhealthy or simply places Christians shouldn't be.
But what if some of those places are actually spaces where Jesus would choose to go?
That's the question Melinda wants us to consider.
Are there communities or activities we've dismissed because of their reputation, without considering the opportunities for ministry that might exist within them?
Sometimes we might even feel embarrassed about our own interests, not because we're doing anything sinful, but because they're looked down upon by other Christians.
Perhaps it's time to reconsider how we approach these spaces.
[01:20] Online Gaming, Anime and Christian Attitudes
Two examples that prompted Melinda's thinking were anime and online gaming.
These are communities that can sometimes attract negative attention from Christians.
And there are legitimate reasons to be cautious.
Some anime and online games contain sexualised material, violence or other content that Christians may find concerning.
Those concerns shouldn't simply be dismissed.
But there's another side to the conversation.
There are people deeply involved in these communities who may have very little contact with Christians outside those spaces.
What if the Christian participating in an online gaming community is the only Christian some of those people know?
That changes how we might think about the opportunity.
[02:30] Are Christians Becoming Known for What We Dislike?
Mel raises a broader concern.
Sometimes it can feel as though Christians are becoming known primarily for the things they oppose.
Whenever something new emerges, there can be a tendency to immediately question whether it's dangerous or spiritually harmful.
Mel remembers hearing Christians describe Pokémon as being from the devil.
Similar reactions have surrounded Harry Potter, the internet and social media.
And historically, even musical instruments such as the organ have attracted controversy in church settings.
The point isn't that Christians should accept everything without discernment.
It's that we can become so focused on identifying what's wrong with something that we overlook what might be possible within it.
Instead of automatically dismissing an activity or community, perhaps we need to ask a different question.
Where might God be at work in this space?
And who might God be calling to participate in it?
[03:40] Not Every Space Is Right for Every Person
Of course, this doesn't mean every Christian should participate in every environment.
Wisdom and discernment still matter.
If a particular activity exposes someone to temptations they find difficult to resist, it may not be a healthy environment for them.
Melinda compares this to someone struggling with alcoholism choosing whether to enter a pub.
For that person, avoiding the environment might be the wisest decision.
But that doesn't necessarily mean the same environment is inappropriate for everyone.
We each need to recognise our own vulnerabilities and exercise good judgement.
The challenge is to avoid turning our personal boundaries into blanket judgements about entire communities.
[04:10] What Could Ministry Look Like in Online Gaming?
For Christians who enjoy online gaming, there may be opportunities for meaningful ministry within those communities.
And that ministry doesn't necessarily begin with preaching or explicitly religious conversations.
It can begin with the way someone behaves.
How do you respond when you lose?
How do you treat someone who isn't as skilled as you?
What language do you use when you're frustrated?
How do you build relationships with the people you meet?
Online games often connect people who have never met face-to-face.
And the way Christians interact within those spaces can communicate something about their faith.
Our behaviour, attitudes and relationships can become opportunities to reflect Jesus to others.
[04:50] Reaching People Who Rarely Leave Their Online Communities
Melinda shares an example from her own family.
Her daughter has become involved in online gaming communities and has created a Discord space where young people can connect.
Some of the young people involved have shared that they rarely leave their homes apart from attending school.
Their social connections happen almost entirely online.
That reality is concerning in some ways.
But it's also an opportunity.
Melinda has been amazed by the ministry her daughter is doing simply by being present, building relationships and caring for people in that environment.
In some cases, those online connections have even developed into carefully managed face-to-face interactions.
For young people who have limited connection with the wider community, an online friendship with a Christian may be particularly significant.
And if Christians simply withdraw from those spaces, those opportunities may never develop.
[05:30] Jesus Was Criticised for the Company He Kept
When we look at the Gospels, we see that Jesus regularly spent time with people whom religious leaders looked down upon.
The Pharisees and other religious authorities criticised him for associating with the wrong people.
But Jesus understood his mission.
He came for people who needed him.
He didn't restrict his relationships to those who already shared the values and practices of the religious community.
And perhaps that's something Christians need to remember.
If we're serious about reaching people who don't know Jesus, we need to be willing to build relationships with people outside our familiar Christian circles.
That doesn't mean compromising our faith.
But it does mean recognising that meaningful relationships often develop in places that aren't explicitly Christian.
[06:00] Mentoring Young People to Be Salt and Light
This also presents an important opportunity for churches.
Rather than simply telling young people that certain activities are a waste of time, what if we helped them understand the influence they can have within those communities?
Of course, we should encourage them to steward their time wisely.
But if a young person is already involved in online gaming and building relationships with others, there may be an opportunity to help them recognise that as a place where they can represent Christ.
Churches could create spaces for young people to discuss questions such as:
How do you respond when another gamer frustrates you?
How do you treat someone who is less experienced?
What do you do when someone is being bullied or spoken to harshly?
How can you build healthy relationships in an online environment?
Online gaming communities aren't always pleasant places.
They can involve aggressive language, bullying and other difficult behaviour.
But those challenges also provide opportunities for young Christians to develop character, leadership and influence.
Rather than simply warning young people about these environments, we can mentor them to navigate those spaces wisely and faithfully.
[07:20] What About Sport and the Arts?
Online gaming isn't the only example.
There are other areas of society that Christians sometimes view negatively.
Sport, racing, dance, drama and acting can all attract criticism for different reasons.
Sometimes the concern relates to the moral issues associated with an industry.
For example, racing and professional sport may have connections to gambling.
Certain areas of the arts may expose people to content or values that conflict with Christian beliefs.
Those concerns may be legitimate.
But once again, we need to ask whether we're overlooking the people who participate in these communities.
How can Christians demonstrate God's love to people in those environments if no Christians are willing to be there?
[08:00] When Activities Compete with Church Attendance
Sometimes the issue isn't necessarily the activity itself.
It's the fact that participating in it can interfere with church programs or Sunday services.
Mel shares that her daughter participates in musical theatre and occasionally has rehearsals on Sundays.
That's simply part of being involved in that activity.
She also recalls a family whose son had an opportunity to play rugby league at a high level, potentially with the Cronulla Sharks junior teams.
But there was some judgement surrounding his involvement because it meant playing sport on Sundays.
And that raises an interesting question.
What if that sporting environment became an important place of ministry for him?
What if the relationships he developed through rugby league gave him opportunities to demonstrate his faith to people who might never attend church?
Could we be so focused on whether someone is attending our church activities that we overlook the opportunities God has given them elsewhere?
[09:00] Moving Beyond Black-and-White Thinking
Sometimes Christians approach these situations with very rigid categories.
Attending church is good.
Missing church is bad.
Avoiding questionable environments is good.
Participating in them is bad.
But life isn't always that straightforward.
And when we automatically label entire activities or communities as inappropriate, we may unintentionally discourage Christians from participating in important areas of society.
The result can be that certain communities have very little Christian presence.
That's worth thinking about, particularly if we believe Christians are called to be salt and light in the world.
Perhaps we need to consider not only the risks associated with an environment, but also the opportunities it presents.
[09:30] Deliberately Building Relationships Outside the Church
Mel shares that she's been thinking about the activities and interests in her own life that bring her into contact with people who aren't Christians.
She doesn't want her entire social world to consist only of Christian relationships.
One example is her book club.
She genuinely enjoys participating in it, regardless of whether there's an explicit ministry purpose.
But it also creates opportunities for meaningful conversations and relationships.
Sometimes the books the group reads contain material she wouldn't ordinarily choose for herself.
That can be uncomfortable.
But it also creates opportunities to engage with people whose experiences, perspectives and values may differ from her own.
And through those relationships, they talk about real-life issues.
The challenge is learning how to navigate those situations faithfully rather than withdrawing from them altogether.
[10:20] Being in the World Without Withdrawing from It
Being part of the wider world means encountering people, ideas and experiences that don't always align with our Christian values.
That's unavoidable.
The question is how we respond.
Do we become so uncomfortable with those differences that we avoid the people involved?
Or do we learn how to engage wisely while remaining faithful to Christ?
Jesus didn't avoid people simply because others disapproved of their lifestyles or reputations.
In fact, he was often criticised because of the people he spent time with.
Yet Christians can sometimes encourage one another to withdraw from precisely the kinds of people Jesus deliberately sought out.
Perhaps we've unintentionally reversed the example he gave us.
[11:00] Looking for Opportunities Instead of Reasons to Withdraw
So how might we approach these situations differently?
Melinda encourages us to take stock of the activities and communities we tend to dismiss.
Where have we withdrawn?
Where have we looked down on people because of their interests or involvement?
Where have we made assumptions without considering what God might be doing?
This is particularly relevant when churches are trying to encourage their congregations to become more missional.
We can spend considerable time teaching people about mission while simultaneously discouraging them from participating in the very communities where meaningful relationships could develop.
Perhaps part of becoming more missional is learning to recognise the opportunities already present in people's everyday lives.
Instead of simply identifying the problems associated with a particular space, we can begin asking how God might work through someone within it.
[11:40] Learning How to Remain Salt and Light
Of course, being present in these environments doesn't mean abandoning discernment.
Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light.
And if we're going to bring light into difficult or challenging environments, we need to learn how to remain faithful within them.
That requires wisdom.
It requires discipleship.
And sometimes it requires the encouragement and support of other Christians.
We shouldn't simply send people into challenging environments without helping them navigate the difficulties they may encounter.
Instead, we can walk alongside them.
We can help them recognise their vulnerabilities, develop healthy boundaries and think carefully about how they represent Christ.
And we can encourage them to see that God may already be working through the relationships they're building.
[12:20] Could God Be Working Through You There?
Ultimately, this conversation is an invitation to reconsider how we view the world around us.
There are legitimate reasons to be cautious about certain activities and environments.
But caution doesn't have to become condemnation.
And discernment doesn't have to mean withdrawal.
Sometimes the interests, hobbies and communities we're inclined to question may also be places where God is creating opportunities for connection and ministry.
That might be an online gaming community.
It might be a sporting club.
It might be a theatre group, a book club or another community entirely.
The important question is whether we're willing to recognise the people and possibilities within those spaces.
And whether we're willing to support Christians who are already there.
Because perhaps God is ready and willing to work through people in places we haven't traditionally thought of as ministry environments.
So instead of asking only what's wrong with a particular space, perhaps we should also be asking: What opportunities might God be opening up here?