All things to All People... Or Not, Rev. Kim Skattum

All Things to All People...Or Not

By Rev. Kim Skattum

American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains

[19] For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. [20] To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. [21] To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. [22] To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. [23] I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

I’ve always been challenged by Paul’s words, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some”. As a pastor, that’s what I tried to do; be all things to all people. To adapt my approach and proclamation of the gospel to fit the moment depending on who I was with. My homeless friend, Ron, taught me otherwise.

I met Ron a couple years BC (before covid). I was riding my bike like usual and saw him with an open bible talking with a corner sign-flyer (a guy holding a cardboard sign asking for money). I stopped and asked him what he was doing. He told me he’s just one homeless guy trying to share Jesus with another homeless guy.



I was so touched and impressed with Ron and his commitment to share the gospel on the street I gave him $20. I came upon Ron again the next week, we chatted for a bit and I felt compelled to give him another $20. The third time I met Ron on the street I gave him another $20 and told him I’d keep doing that each time we ran into each other. He asked me why. “I see you as a minister/missionary to people I care about but have no credibility with. I’m just going to keep supporting you as a missionary to the homeless.”  

Ron is a living example to me of the fact that there are people I won’t ever be able to connect to. But he can. And vice versa.

During covid, Ron started a church he calls Refuge Church. It meets at the park near my home. They assemble every Tuesday at noon. A dozen people show up and listen to Ron as he humbly teaches what he’s learning from God’s word.



I cannot be all things to all people, but I can be like Ron. I can do my part as a witness to the power of the gospel of Jesus with those people God has put in my life.  

Prayer



God, thank you for Ron. Thank you for those like him who take the gospel to people and places where I have no credibility. Help me to be faithful where you’ve placed me. For your glory and our good. In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

By Rev. Kim Skattum

Pastor to Pastors

American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains

www.abcrm.org