In a comment on Strangers giving kids candy, Steve Sjogren, the originator of Servant Evangelism (which is what the candy giveaway was intended to be an example of), wrote:
I wept over the public criticism aired toward other Jesus people who were trying to show love. When I see a “bullhorn guy” yelling at people I give him money and ask him to pray for me to have his boldness. Anyone doing anything - God bless them. Yes, grow in wisdom, but this criticism thing re evangelism / outreach has to stop - and now.
Steve, thanks for taking time to comment here. I appreciate it.
I find your response bewildering.
I thought the point of servant evangelism was, Christians serve the community.
You have turned this on its head by insisting that everyone else serves the Christians by not saying a word against them, no matter how valid the concerns may be (in this case, the candy giveaway to unaccompanied kids desensitizes kids to the real dangers unknown adults may present and causes needless worry to parents).
Let’s call this what it is: ‘being served’ evangelism, not ’servant evangelism’. Read the rest of this entry »
06-09-2007 |
39 Comments »When I glanced at the school announcements last week I was surprised to see this: “Students, just a reminder: do not accept food or candy from strangers. Occasionally people may offer you food or candy and those people may not be who they say they are and the food may be unhealthy for you.”
I understood why when I read this in last week’s local newspaper:
Parent sour on church’s candy give-away
Vineyard’s latest “no strings attached’ effort questionedWhatever happened to telling kids “Don’t take candy from a stranger?”
That’s the question Julian parent Robin Steele asked concerning Vineyard Oak Park’s recent church give-away at her sons’ school May 17.
As part of its gift outreach program, the church chooses various locations in Oak Park throughout the year and congregation members hand out simple free gifts, along with a card containing information about Vineyard. Last summer, they gave out free water during the heat wave. Last December, they handed out scotch tape for wrapping presents in Downtown Oak Park.
Recently, though, they have been outside after school at Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland Ave., passing out candy to students-or blessings-on Thursdays and at Oak Park and River Forest High School, 201 N. Scoville, on Tuesdays. They also pass out gifts to adults at other locations in Oak Park.
The giveaway includes a business card with the phrase “God Loves You” on one side and “I Love God Candy” on the other.
In a letter in this week’s newspaper the pastoral interns defend what they were doing: Vineyard giveaway is a sweet gesture. Read the rest of this entry »
06-07-2007 |
23 Comments »