Wednesday
Jun082005
Facts every Christian should know
Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at 1:13PM From emergesque:
Facts Every Christian Should Know
Every 3 seconds a child dies from disease.
Every 7 seconds a child dies from hunger.
11 million kids under 5 die every year from malnutrition.
Poverty kills 20,000 every day.
There are 6.4 billion people in the world.
The "developed world," of which the US is a part, comprises less than 1 billion people.
1.2 billion people attempt to live on less than $1 a day.
I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.
Psalm 140:12
Reader Comments (16)
How about: Every second a person dies and their soul enters eternal Hell. This one seems to be missing.
I've read that article before. We need to do both. It might just be me but I haven't noticed much emphasis and passion on soulwinning efforts in the emerging church.
We have several teams a year that come to the DR to do "soul-winning". They assume that all these Haitians are ensnared in voodoo and need to be released. They arrive to find that the gospel has been widely preached and accepted here, largely because it was shared in tandem with food and medical care. Our ultimate goal is that those we serve would know Christ, but we find that their hearts are more receptive when they know we care. It is one of those both/and scenarios, not either/or.
I agree Brian. Both sides need to be emphasized. It is important to remember that meeting physical needs can be a tremendous conduit to presenting and in turn acceptance of the Gospel. However, I think if we're focused on meeting physical needs ONLY, we have reduced the great commision to a social cause.
"I haven't noticed much emphasis and passion on soulwinning efforts in the emerging church." I don't know if it's you or not. I think the ec is probably more holistic in its approach and is also geared to reach those who are more marginalized. I certainly have seen a strong desire to be on mission and see people reconciled to Christ within the ec but I agree that it does take a different shape.
And if we're not as sure as you are (Jacob) on the eternal hell thing?
I think that is my point. There's not as much of an urgency of salvation in the EC - likely driven by theological beliefs.
The ec takes a different shape, concerned with justice as well as people entering into relationship with God. I don't see avoiding hell as the main thrust of the teaching in the NT, from Jesus or the apostles. Certainly it is there but I don't think it is the main reason people are invited into the Kingdom. The stats above really have nothing to do with the emerging church anyway. I think it has to do with all of us who follow Christ. Jacob, I hear where you're coming from, but I don't think you can dismiss these stats by saying "what about evangelism?" just as you can't stand up when someone talks about evangelism and say "what about the poor?" One doesn't negate the other.
Not sure I follow what you're saying. Believe me I am broken for the poor. But even more broken for the unsaved as they are the "poorest" of us all.
Jacob: You may be interested in this blog: http://www.emergingevangelism.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.emergingevangelism.com/
I was a member of a traditional church trying very hard to "contemporize" or be more relevant to the post-modern culture. These phrases were spoken freely. I saw a lot of emphasis on "saving" people, only to move on to trying to save others. Jacob says "But even more broken for the unsaved as they are the 'poorest' of us all.", and I question the motivation. Here's why. The church I am speaking of is a very affluent church. Many doctors and other professionals. This church is located smack dab in the middle of the inner city. What a contrast. Rich church, poor neighbourhood. Ironically, the ministry plan of that church was to exponentially grow the numbers of that church over a period of 5 years by inviting friends and neighbours to small groups. Great, more doctors and other suburbanites. (See why I question the motivation?) I heard a lot of desire to move that church to the suburbs. Nice. How about ministries to the inner city people? Well, other than a couple older ladies making sandwiches for the city mission, and a couple others taking cookies to a local school once a month, there was very little more. Funny enough, the reason I left was not the lack of "social justice" or lack of ministry to the inner-city people. No, it was continual dissapointing behaviour of some people who are supposed to be Christians, who apparently do not entirely know what that is supposed to look like. Saved or not. So I start going to an "EC." WOW! Genuine people with genuine desire to do mission. Genuine desire to love the community within which we are located. What did this look like? How about going door to door to collect food donations for a local teenager drop in centre? How about hosting floor hockey for street youth once a week, and building relationships with kids who get no other positive influence? How about hosting a free party, music, bouncy castles for kids and handing out free food to couple thousand people, just to love the community? All from an "ec" located less than 500 metres from that big, rich church. A church with a yearly budget more than 10 times more than that little "emerging church" around the corner. I am so sick of these people who ignorantly slag the emerging church (whatever that is). Stop wasting your time ripping apart the ec and get out and save some more doctors and lawyers. Gotta get those tithes! (Darryl, good to meet you a couple of weeks ago. Be nice to hook up again some time)
Al, BTW I am very familiar with the church you speak of. I married a girl from there and it was kinda assumed we would attend there but I to was uncomfortable with some things going on there and decided against it. I carry no anger toward this church and would never characterize and "slag" it like you just did - most of my wife's family met the Lord there and for that I am eternally grateful! I'm glad for all the creative stuff you guys are doing to connect to the community around you. That's great stuff! I also hope and pray that those connections will be used to present the Gospel of God's saving Grace - and I trust that they are. That's exciting stuff! Cutting edge evangelism! I know of a small church in the inner city called Hughson Street Baptist, they are doing all the right things down in Hamilton's worst area. They're meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of the people around. And one of the great things is that they appreciate and team up with the larger, (richer), suburbian churches. These churches are able to donate large amount of cash into Hughson's ministries - it's a wonderful partnership. Hughson would have folded many years ago on their own. Back to the EC. I don't think you should get "sick" of and blow off the people critizing the EC. For the many good traits the EC has (and they need to be noted by the criticizers) - the EC is not above theolical accountability from the greater body of Christ. And BTW, doctors and suburbanties need Christ too :) Take Care, Duane
lalalalalala can't hear you gay people want to get married! surely that's more important!!
I hope you realize my comments were ironic. :)
James: I understand your point. The thing is, it is possible to be a church that is primarily missional, evangelistic, and socially active and working on issues of justice, and welcoming toward all people (including homosexuals), and still be against gay marriage. Isn't it?
Somebody left an anonymous comment, which I deleted because I don't allow anonymous comments. And I don't think the e-mail they left was a genuine one - let's say it wasn't complimentary! The point was well taken, though. As an outsider, they said it looks silly that we're arguing about this instead of doing something. I am a little more hopeful: I think the discussion is good, but only if it does lead somewhere.