Continuing our series on Total Church, today we look at what they said about social involvement. I think they are spot on in their assessment of evangelicalism in this chapter. They are discussing why it matters to discuss these things and they summarize by saying:
It matters because we are failing to reach the working class with the gospel. Evangelicalism has become a largely middle-class, professional phenomenon. When we invite people to our dinners and our churches, we invite our friends, our relatives, and our rich neighbors. We do not invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. What is at stake is the grace of God.
After this assessment, as with many chapters, they go on to discuss how we wield the gospel word to the poor and marginazlized and then discuss how we can extend community to them. These are really compelling points and arguments. In our own church, for instance, our small groups are seeking to do some ministry projects this fall. Are these groups of people (poor and marginalized) even on our radar? These are good things to think about and, better yet, do something about.