Touchstone #5

Christian mission must avoid reductionism or false dichotomies. We cannot choose between evangelism and social action, between word and deed, between proclamation and demonstration. The gospel is holistic, addressing the whole person and all of creation. When we reduce mission to only one aspect, we distort the fullness of God's redemptive work. Jesus both preached and healed, both proclaimed the Kingdom and fed the hungry. Our mission must follow this integrated model, refusing to separate what God has joined together. The church is called to both proclaim the gospel in word and demonstrate it in deed, to both save souls and serve society, to both make disciples and seek justice.