Last week I had the opportunity to attend two fantastic conferences: Exponential and LeadNow.

Erwin McManus, one of my favorite authors and speakers, lead a session at LeadNow that really helped to cement some ideas I’ve had floating around in my head over the last couple of years.

He spoke about moving to a place of influence in the culture using the story of Paul in Athens from Acts 17. There are really 3 places we can exist in as Christians in our world today.

The first is our safe, protected Christian sub-culture with things like Christian schools, Christian music and Christian movies. We have absolutely no influence on culture in any of these areas because we’re reaching the already reached.

The second place is our workplaces and neighborhoods where many Christians venture out to during the week when they have to but quickly retreat back to the safety of their Christian sub-culture.

The third place is a place of trust and influence. You can’t force or witness your way into this place. You have to be invited in. And you’re only invited into this place of influence when you take the time to develop genuine relationships.

“Then they took him to the Council of Philosophers. ‘Come and tell us more about this new religion,’ they said. ‘You are saying some rather startling things, and we want to know what it’s all about.’ ” (Acts 17:19-20)

Existing in the first place does nothing for the world around us. It is self-serving, spiritual narcissism that only cares about us while ignoring a world around us living without Christ. There are many who live and work in the second place thinking that simply wearing “christian tshirts” or praying over their lunch will somehow be enough to make a difference. Then there are those who realize the need to not just exist in culture but to transform it. This only happens when we develop meaningful relationships and are given permission to share what what we believe.

Obviously there is so much more from this talk that I could share. Erwin McManus is one of my spiritual heroes and I respect what he has done to influence church culture. I had a chance to meet him afterwards and let him know how much his books and messages have influenced my thought process. Definitely one of the highlights of the conference!