When necessary use words

The greater the object in motion, the more difficult it is to change its direction. This description of momentum also applies to non-physical bodies. For years, now, critics have been urging the Christian church to shift its focus from fighting over who's right on doctrinal details, to focusing instead on caring for hurting people in this world. There is a lot of hurt in our world and it's not confined to any particular demographic or location.

We are seeing a change in direction in North American christendom, especially in the last five years or so. One of the more vocal proponents for change has been Mike Pilavachi who has been working with disenfranchised people (ie those who hope to someday reach the poverty line) in the US.

Pilavachi's book, When necessary use words, looks at the establishment church and contrasts it with offbeat congregations, grassroots outreaches, and personal stories of people struggling to make sense of their difficult lives. It's not so much a condemnation of where the church is now, as it is a call to step up and move forward, treating people as people rather than conversion targets.

If you're looking for heart-warming stories, there are a few woven in. If you're looking for a how-to manual on setting up a project, you won't find it here. What you will find is a firm but mostly gentle push towards a more obviously caring church.

"...it's vitally important that we stand up for righteousness and don't water down biblical truths to fit in with society, but we seem to have so poorly represented Jesus that most people couldn't tell you what He is for.
"...Jesus is loving, compassionate, full of grace and mercy, kind, humble, forgiving, and passionate. Would people outside of the Church say the same about us?" (pg 64)

When necessary use words : changing lives through worship, justice, and evangelism. Written by Mike Pilavachi. Published by Regal in 2007. ISBN: 978-0830738144.