There are three stages (all downward) in the developement of mission and social interaction. These take place over a period of time and churches slip from one stage to the next almost unnoticed.

1. Mission is essential and social action unimportant.
2. Mission is important and social action is important.
3. Mission is unimportant and social action essential.

Each church is at one of these stages or even between stages.

There are all sorts of reasons for this subtle change. The fact that people find social action easier than direct evangelism probably goes a long way to this but one should also consider discouragement, a lack of "results" or else a church follows something new that seems to be "working" for the church up the road.

One needs to be concerned for the whole person but I have seen time and time again where social activity with the aim of being a step towards evangelism never seems to take the second step.

I believe evangelism is evangelism and social activity is social activity. The church should do both but never at the same time. Just as the early church appointed deacons to serve at the tables to allow the apostles to preach.

I think it is only right that people that people get out their comfort zones. Jesus certainly got the disciples out their comfort zones often enough.

__________________
Stuart
Elder, Lambeg Baptist, Northern Ireland, UK

In Him the fulness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form and in Him you are complete (Col 2.9-10)

The sacrifice of a broken heart doth please Him but the sacrifice of a broken Christ alone doth satisfy Him (Richard Steele)