Moody is meant to have said
“I much prefer his way of doing Evangelism to their way of not doing it.”
It’s a sentiment that I agree with but I wonder if it has been wrongly used at times. Did Moody really mean that Christians are beyond challenge or criticism in their endeavors? You see, this is the kind of push back I’ve had from time to time when I’ve raised questions about various “Christian ventures”. over the years
Now, first of all, I think there is a difference between Moody’s example of evangelism, something we are overtly commissioned to do in Scripture and a whole host of projects and activities.
Secondly, that I might prefer someone having a go to not having a go, this does not mean that their activities are beyond challenge. It is legitimate to question if something is the right thing to do, whether the people are the right people and if they are doing it in the right way.
Thirdly, we need to recognise that both implicitly and explicitly those engaged in such ventures are themselves are being critical of other Christians and their attempts to serve Christ. Note that the Moody quote assumes that others are doing nothing . In these situations, it is often the case that other Christians aren’t doing nothing, they are just prioritizing different things.
Fourth, what we tend to see is an expectation that churches and individuals should support this or that venture with time and money. This can range from a desire to get a small ministry off tht ground in a local church through to multi million pound projects like the wall of answered prayer which is being built somewhere near us. I don’t think it is a great situation where people are expecting others to give but don’t want their advice or scrutiny.
We must all be open to challenge and criticism, public or private. This is how we look after each other and the church.
Faithroots 