Strong Words

Richard Stearns, World Vision President and author of The Hole in our Gospel nails it here:

There lingers in some conservative American churches a suspicion that social action and reform are somehow part of a liberal theology that substitutes good works for evangelism. Working to reclaim and reform our world today is of little import, they say, because we’ll all soon be “beaming up” to heaven. Further, the notion persists that committing one’s life to Christ begins and ends by reciting a brief prayer that activates one’s “fire insurance”. The parts about helping the poor, working for justice, and being salt and light to redeem a rebellious planet are seen as optional (202).

I think some see churches and their missional involvement in the community as a fad or the latest tool in the church growth tool box. Some adhere to Stearns' words and essentially argue that social works are misguided and are not part of the gospel. Othes will argue that churches need not go 'all in' on justice issues, but rather do them incrementally and add them on as a church program similar to small groups or children's ministries. As we prepare tonight to mow Lorna's lawn, wash Jeanette's windows, help Cleveland with some back to school work and playground painting, and stuff 200 envelopes with $10 HyVee cards that we will give to our neighbors next week, these words remind me that faith is lived out both by what we believe and what we do.