Bootcamp diary entry: Wednesday afternoon
Speaker: Leonce Crump: The real mission: people meeting Jesus! "to what end" How can we not tell a person about Christ as the reason for our kind acts of mercy. A powerful communicator with a powerful message that being a Christian means verbalizing the "why" behind the good actions we do. It's not the gospel if we think we can just continue to do good to others and somehow think that they will eventually figure out that we are Christians. We are called to proclaim the good news in both deed and word 1 Peter 2:9 "that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light". "Preach the word, if need be use words" is commonly touted by Christians and attributed to Fancis of Assisi, however; truth be told this isn't biblical nor can you find a place in his writings that he actually said it. The point Leonce made was compelling- we are called to speak out and not merely perform acts of kindnesses toward others. on a personal note, Having seen the response to hurricane Sandy in NJ I have not seen evidence of any real impact for the sake of the gospel by churches that have supplied aid to the hurting and displaced. The outpouring of volunteers and supplies have been enormous from organizations and individuals, yet the deeds of unchurched efforfts are equal to those of the church if Chdristians remain silent about the good news of Jesus. There is no difference in the benevolence of saved or unsaved unless Christ is made known in our actions. Good stuff indeed!