Sunday, June 10, 2007

Evangelism vs. Holistic ministry. What do you think?

OM (Operation Mobilization)--the organization I am part of--has been changing in the last 10 or 20 years from from a mostly-evangelistic/church-planting ministry to--to use the word of choice--more "holistic" ministry; that is, meeting the needs of the 'whole person.'

There is no doubt in my mind that we must meet the needs of the whole person. Christ preached, but he was also quick to feed, listen, heal, and grieve with others.

Some believe that when you go 'holistic', you enter dangerous waters. For example, you may choose to add non-Christians (eg, an expert well-digger) to your team or board (eg, to your well-digging ministry). What are the implications?

It seems to me that good-works ministry is becoming more and more popular. That is certainly not a bad thing; it may be part of God's great plan. Also, while good works do not save us, we were actually made for good works: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

But as we move forward in doing good works--and may we not be so arrogant or ignorant as to think that we are the first to be helping others holistically--are we leaving other foundational things behind? Are we using phrases like "bringing people to Jesus" instead talking about repentance? Do we believe the nice parts of the Bible but disbelieve the not-so-nice parts (eg, God's wrath)? Do we want people to 'add' Jesus to their lives instead of teaching that we must die to self?

Is holistic ministry that lacks the preaching of the gospel holistic? Is there a place for ministry that is non-evangelistic? If so, is there a place for purely-evangelistic ministry?

There are no easy answers, and I think we can learn from each other here. Let's look for the balance.

I am interested in your feedback; please leave a comment. Thanks.
ar TORONTO, CANADA | 2023+

APRIL


MAY

27 Sat (1) 11am Commencement speaker at R. University, (2) ~3pm+ time w/ V/AR+
29 Mon (1) 9:30am VT prayer, (2) 3pm mtg DerCh - Mississauga
30 Tue (1) 10am ph call (AA), (2) 5:30pm video mtg (IsTan), (3) 8pm neighbourhood prayer mtg

JUNE
1 Thu (1) 11:30am Zoom mtg (LM), (2) 4pm mtg (VS,KBr)
2 Fri (1) 10:30am ph call (PVDW; SL w/ boys; ~J working)
3 Sat SL w/ boys and MG
5 Mon (1) 9:30am VT prayer mtg, (2) 2pm Europe call, (3) 5pm mtg/walk (YM)
6 Tue (1) 11:30am lunch (GD) - St. Jacobs, (2) 4pm mtg (AF) - Cambridge, (3) 7:30pm worship night
9 Fri ~J's b'day
10 Sat North Bay trip
13 Tue 11am mtg (DAy) (~J school trip w/ ~Co | text BD)
14 Wed 9:30am time w/ BD
15 Thu 4:30pm video mtg (Paul T.)
16 Fri (1) 9am video med appt, (2) 15-km run (Prayer Journey "warm-up")
17 Sat Prayer Journey (my own: 50km GTA bike-ride; Jessie's: 5KM) and speaking at GTA after-party
23-25 Fri-Sat poss. SL
26 Mon 2pm Europe monthly call
29 ... July 7 Thu-Fri poss. holiday in Arkansas

JULY
... 7 Thu-Fri poss. holiday in Arkansas
~8-17 SA+ in Toronto; P/H Bell likely visiting too
15 Sat aft+ baptism (Saj; NaB may be coming)
17-21 Mon-Fri Kids Kapers camp
24 Mon 2:45pm med. appt
26 Wed (1) 11am video mtg (SM), (2) 3pm Zoom mtg (SMa,SB), (3) 7pm ~J speaking at Greenhouse/Zoe - UofT downtown
27 Thu 10am video MVT board mtg
31 Mon 3:05pm med. appt
July/Aug CCWM board mtg / AGM

AUGUST
2 Wed 11am video mtg (SM+)
6-12 Sun-Fri Cottage w/ O/DN+ and UB/AC - Windermere; plus Muskoka
19 Sat poss. ~J fam beach day - Brighton area
25-29 Fri-Tue MoveIn staff retreat - southern Ontario

2023+
Sep 21 Thu - MVT board mtg
Sep 23 Sat poss. date of GV memorial
Sep 24 Sun ~Ch's b'day
Sep ~26-28 Poss. time in Lushnjë, Albania
Sep 29 - Oct 6 MoveIn Europe Conference+ - Durrës, Albania
Oct 21 Sat poss./unlikely date of GV memorial
Oct 21-27 Dollar-a-Day week
Early Nov Poss. fundraising event - Niagara
Nov-Jan Poss. time in India - Goa; Philippines - Manila+; Indonesia - Jakarta/Bali; LA/San Diego