Three Types of Christians
I was priviledged to be a part of Campus Crusade for Christ during my four years at Virginia Tech. Now, after disclosing both my major ministry affiliation and my alma mater, this is the point where I plead with you to put aside any prejudices and keep reading.
I have been chewing on a concept to present to my small group bible study that I was taught at that time but I admit that I am uncertain of my accuracy. I’m going to give it a shot though and if anyone is familiar with what I’m talking about, or better yet, would like to contribute a link in the right direction, I would be most indebted.
According to a ministry that is focused on winning souls, helping them build their walk, and sending them into the world as a missions-minded saint, there are three classifications of Christians. Dividing the types into three was more or less a way to help a young leader distinguish between the immediate needs of their disciple. I don’t want to wrongly represent Crusade by miscommunicating that they put a judgement stamp on people’s actual relationship with the Lord with these titles. But to challenge believers to a higher standard, you are either:
A self-centered Christian – A Christ-Centered Christian – A World-Centered Christian
A self-centered Christian – characterised by a claim to the Christian faith but with little fruit or motivation to grow as a believer. AKA: a “Sunday Christian.” A self-centered Christian may have a lot of good to say or head knowledge of Christianity but will leave a well-intended leader at a loss of how to motivate them because they simply enjoy a worldly lifestyle and refuse obedience and sacrifice. This is the type that is probably going to show up once or twice to your meeting and come up with excuses not to be there the rest of the time, that is, unless your group time consists of a lot of gossip, cute members of the opposite sex, and little solid truth. A leader should show appreciation for any attendance, welcome them in warmly, and refrain from wasting time trying to force an open heart. Pray for them, love them, have no expectations of them.
A Christ-Centered Christian – a “walking” Christian. Bears fruit and demonstrates a true desire to grow in their faith. This type will hopefully become ready to be a world-centered Christian before too long if they are grasping and applying truth and listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Unfortunately, the Christ-Centered Christian is capable of blocking out challenging calling and picking and choosing their accomplishments for Christ. The leader should listen to what is on their heart and be ready to respond to that specific issue, while continuing to remind them that going forward in their faith will likely require risk, sacrifice, and vulnerability. This Christian will either A) choose comfort and miss out on a whole lot of the abundant life – or B) take risks, ask God for challenging assignments, obtain a deep love and responsibility for His kingdom work
The World-Centered Christian – Carries a sense of responsibility for the gospel to reach the world. Acts upon it by either: going or sending. This Christian is either a missionary themself or is teaching and training others in whatever way they can to become world-centered. This type of Christian spends less time than the Christ-centered Christian considering how to get poured into and is occupied with how to pour out. This one feels an urgency to do their part and does not have time to get hung up on the clutter of everyday life. They deal with it and move on to more eternally important things. The leader feels priviledged to have them there to set an example. They need encouragement, accountability, and spiritual maintenance as they are used to be the one giving and are refreshed on the receiving end. It is also wise to let them share personally as they can add valuable experience and be an inspiration to the rest.
Well, as usual, I am too wordy but you get the picture. It can be hard sometimes to distinguish someone who is Christ-centered from someone who would be world-centered if they were only given the opportunity. The important thing is to make sure they realize that God is not going to drop Asia in their lap or give them an expectant small group of their own to lead the next week, but they can be creative in their approach. Simply asking around for how they can be used, offering to be someone’s accountability partner, starting a world-focused prayer group, letting the leader know they would like to learn more about missions trips or how to become a youth leader should open up some doors.
All I know is that i’ve never lived in a large, populated area and I’ve always, ALWAYS been able to find multiple ways to minister. The end.
Mmmm… interesting
God bless
Maria in the UK
http://www.inhishands.co.uk
I’m not sure when you wrote your post, but that is a lot of what I was trying to say in mine as well. I have never heard of this concept, but find it very interesting. For so long, I lived in the first category. The last few years I moved to the second, now I feel like I am being called to the third. Very interesting. Thank you for sharing!
I ran across this blog, and am not a blogger myself, but perhaps could offer a comment. Yes, there are major differences in the commitment level and fruitfulness of Christians. Many of these differences stem from or are rooted in the personal theology of each person. These personal theologies are developed in response to many outside stimulii. These more or less conclusions about God, Jesus, the Church, and even their own selves form what could be known as their concept of how everything in the whole universe is. Basic beliefs, that is foundational truths, are the supporting conclusions that the other “philosophy” rests on. Many people do not even possess a formalized or logical view of reality, having some beliefs that are contraditory, holding to an amazing foundational principle that they call blind faith, willingly accepting as true something that no evidence other than that some other human declares it to be true. See the parable of Jesus on the sower. A man went out to sow his crop. Now, in that day and in their agricultural practices that did not mean they had a perfectly prepared field and mechanical seed distribution. Because of the broadcast method, seed got scattered unevenly, even landing on paths, along the edges of the field, and in the best soil. Careful tilling by plow and ox, then spadeing up with a hoe type tool in the hands, was the best they had. The fields usually had a beaten down path along one side at least, and rocks would be tossed there out of the field to help make the path more durable. Some stones were still in the field, and other stones were in heaps between that field and neighboring fields. Grass and weeds and even an occasional tree or bush could grow in these stoney dividers. I hope you get the picture. Jesus identifies several of these places and comments that due to where the seed lands, its chances of growing to maturity and fruitfulness are pretty much set. He later explains the parable to His disciples, and it is recorded for us to read too. In no way does he condemn anyone as one type of soil or another, He loved and died for everyone. He said love even those who mistreat you, this is the God-kind of love. Side comment here: We are His Temple, and therefore we are His “house of prayer” not to ever be a “den of thieves.”
In 1 John 2: 12 I am writing to you, (AE)little children, because (AF)your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him (AG)who has been from the beginning I am writing to you, young men, because (AH)you have overcome (AI)the evil one I have written to you, children, because (AJ)you know the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him (AK)who has been from the beginning I have written to you, young men, because you are (AL)strong, and the (AM)word of God abides in you, and (AN)you have overcome the evil one.
indicates three levels of maturity. I would rather consider that we pray Paul’s Ephesian prayer for the maturing of the saints, and pray that there would be a full restoration of the five ministry gifts outlined in Eph 4:11 to reach the lives of every Christian to bring them into maturity.
I’m so glad you brought up the parable of the sower. That’s the very passage I refer to myself when explaining the concept of Christians with varying faith. You’re right in saying that the bottom line is that Christ died for everyone and there will simply be believers that are weaker than others-(Romans 14) Sadly, my heart is burdened for those believers that miss out on opportunities because of ignorance. I look around me and I see a lot of well-intentioned believers that are very consumed with how they are performing as a Christian rather than with how they can affect God’s kingdom and I think they’re stuck in this rut because they just haven’t been told that there’s more to it. If I have a way to challenge their perspective – and for a few, I do, then I’m going to take it. I will forever be changed by the leaders that challenged me to do the same. I desperately want those I come into contact with (that are teachable, of course,)to know that it’s when we follow Christ’s example and become more concerned with the state of others’ souls than with how much we have it together ourselves, then our energy can go towards multiplying disciples and our own faith will in turn become vastly more mature and many of the smaller issues we can become consumed with will be seen as not even being worth our time.
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it!
wow=no coincidence I read this post. I just started blogging and two things I’ve posted about include vulnerability and knowing what to do (the truth) but choosing not to follow. Neat!
Hey old friend (that’s old as in haven’t seen you for awhile),
After reading your post on this topic I have a few questions that might help spur on more thoughts in your mind (as well as hopefully in mine). My main rub has to do with the names for the three categories. I can’t remember if those are the official Crusade names, but in any case I think they might be better re-named. So here are the questions:
– Wouldn’t a Christ-centered Christian, biblically speaking, be a Christian who not only trusts Christ in his own life, but is seeking to see others come to know Christ as well?
– Would you really want to say that a Christian who does not have a concern for the world should be called a “Christ-centered Christian”? I only say this because by His very nature Jesus was concerned with the world.
It seems like the three categories may better describe people in different walks with God. It might be best to start with the second category, “Christ-centered,” and rename it “Baby Christian” (or something similar to that). It sounds like this group is one who is new to the faith and is still learning what the Bible says about his/her own life and about God’s love for the world. They are new to theology and new to the Christian worldview, and are open to many different avenues for their future development.
The other two categories seem to describe the two main groups that these “Baby Christian” people grow into. “Self-centered” Christians can keep the same name because it seems to describe them well. They begun their faith strong but have drifted into mediocrity. They need to be re-awakened to Christ and the truth of the gospel again. In fact, I would even be willing to ask people in this group that if they do not desire to awaken from their sleep, “Are you really a Christian?” Christians, by their very name, should be Christ-centered, it would seem.
Which leads me to the third category, which should be re-named from “World-centered” to “Christ-centered.” This is the group of people who have begun their walk strong and have continued to persevere in the faith. They have learned much more about God and His Word and have also begun to have a heart for the world, just like Jesus did. So, in a sense, it seems like a World-Centered Christian (in the description above) is really the fruitful end of what should be a normal Christian relationship with God.
So, in the end, it seems to me like there should be a “Baby Christian” category, that either leads to “Self-Centered” Christianity (which maybe might not be Christianity at all) or “Christ-Centered” Christianity (which is really simple Christianity).
Let me know if you think these are good categories, or even if I make any sense. I could have just missed the whole point altogether, and in that case you can correct me.
Hope all is well
~Andy
First, I am having a hard time with the labels for the three groups. I like the split between the groups, but think a better
Yeah, the names are confusing and definitely require the full explanation to understand them. I presented them this way to my small group and they agreed with you that the labels aren’t the best but were kind enough to just focus on the concepts. For some reason the names I wrote are the ones I remember but like I said, it’s been quite a while since it was presented to me. Thank you for addressing the labels, I’m in full agreement. I also think the classifications I described can also be varied within themselves, like a self-centered Christian could be someone that doesn’t really know the Lord and just claims it or they really are just in their infancy and will quickly grow out of worldliness because they sense conviction and desire more faith. Also, someone who is Christ-centered can develop a heart for the world because they start to see the world as Christ does or they are unfortunate victims of a misleading church and are stunted because they have not been taught or shown any care for others around them. You’re right that a Christ-centered Christian should value what Christ values but as of late I have observed many fellow believers that seem to have a close walk with God but hardly any thought of impacting others. I’ll admit its a mystery to me how a Christian can say the right things, seem to have a genuine desire, share openly about struggles they’ve overcome and still the theme of their faith is all about how much they have struggled or grown or want to grow and speak nothing of what they can do for the lost or encouraging anyone else. I could go on and on but you’ve raised some thoughts i’ve discussed with others too and some are just a matter of poor wording and others are variations on the point. I hope that the blog post isn’t too confusing and I’ll have to go back through and see what I can do about those labels.
Hi Lindsey, I just happened to read some things tonight that brought me to your posting here…I appreciate your passion for God. I read everything filtering through where I’m at currently (I guess we all do)….TO make a long story short…remember the time in Moses’s life where he thought he was called to help out the people of Israel?…he ended up killing a man and spent the next 40 yrs tending sheep while God molded his heart…it is possible (I Know because I do/did it) to have a passion for the things you are describing and yet, sometimes there is more “flesh” than we realize in the motive…when a person senses God calling him to serve/ equip, encourage others to spiritual maturity and growth and people don’t change…over time your motives as a disciple maker are sifted…is it out of love?….I have for years had a shepherd’s heart, I am an encourager by nature….and yet….hummm…God also has his own adgenda…/time table….your passion to challenge and equip others reminded me of me when I read your stuff…..so, pray that the fire returns…I feel like I’m out on the back 40 tending sheep sometime
Doug M.
You seem to be focused outward to the world yourself and that was really Jesus heart…for God so loved the world that He gave…
Thanks for the post. Come share thoughts on some very unique blogs at the http://www.thedailylily.com that share a common focus to the world.
Interesting, I am just in the process of defining my status of being a Christian, but don’t know how. And I’m also in the same process of defining the status of being a Christian of most of my friends. The reason is I’m in the stage that I feel I think and feel so different from them. There’s a kind of restlessness of being a Christian, esp. when there’re so many tragedies all around the world recently.
And I happened to come to this page, read the article, and glimpsed through the comments above, I’m so glad to identify with what Aaron said above. He puts it in the exact words that describe my current status. I feel like God puts a restlessness in my heart about the world, as I feel my urge and passion to do something to impact the world.
Am I right to say that most of the Christians will stay in the Christ-Centred stage, and never move on to the World-Centred stage?
Thanks for sharing the enlightenment.
Hi Epiph,
This is a good one. Sometimes the challenge is to getting people realize that if they would just “Center” on Jesus rather than themselves, all the other “stuff” works itself out.
CB
GOD BLESS,
FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I FOUND YOUR COMMENTS VERY INTERESTING. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD THAT IN 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1 PAUL TALKS ABOUT TWO TYPES OF CHRISTIANS 1) THE FLESHLY CHRISTIAN 2) THE SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN OF COURSE GOING A LITTLE BIT BACK IN 2:14 PAUL TALKS ABOUT THE NATURAL MAN.
THE NATURAL MAN IS THE ONE THAT DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT GOD.
THE FLESHLY CHRISTIAN IS A PERSON THAT HAS RECIEVED CHRIST IN HES HEART BUT IS MORE INTERESTED IN THE THINGS OF THE FLESH THAN THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT
THE SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN IS THE ONE THAT HAS RECEIVED CHRIST IN HES HEART AND IS LOOKING AFETER THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT COL 3:1
IVE BEEN A PASTOR FOR 14 YEARS IN MEXICO AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS THAT IN THE CHURCH WE ALL HAVE THESE DIFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE AND I REALLY THINK THAT THE ANSWER TO HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM DWELLS IN PRAYER AND GUIDANCE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.