Quote:
Originally Posted by Pergamum  Jambo:
You wrote that the church should do both (preaching and social action) but never at the same time.
Huh?
If you are then helping the sick, this is the perfect time to speak of Jesus. If you are planting fruit trees in a malnoursihed areas or giving vaccinations, why not use the oppotunity to speak of Jesus?
It seems that we ought to bring these two things closer together rather than drive a further wedge between them. |
What I meant was that when the church is planning outreach activities that are based on social action, it is only a matter of time before the social action becomes the dominant partner. One can use any opportunity to speak of Christ be that in the work place, the golf course, the train, the hospital ward, the classroom etc. In certain countries of the world the only way in is to be a doctor, or part of some humanitarien relief agency but in the western world when a church embarks on a social outreach those whom this is aimed at may appreciate the church's efforts and sometimes the church contents itself with that by saying something to the effect of "we might not have caught any fish but at least the fish have a positive view of the fishermen"
Although the church needs to see the whole person and should not be guilty of thinking of people as just souls it is nevertheless under the commission to make disciples of the nations which is a unique charge to the church and the church alone.