Giving God a Bad Name
Theme of the Week: No Strings Attached
Monday, April 7, 2008
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: No wonder the Scriptures say, "The world blasphemes the name of God because of you."Romans 2:24.Bonus Reading:Colossians 4:5-6
My pastor grew up in Colorado Springs. But during his years away, "the Springs" became a magnet for nearly a hundred ministry organizations.
Called back to lead his home church, he grabbed a bite of lunch at a fast-food restaurant, and overheard a group of burly men talking. "This town has sure gone down the last few years," one said. "Can't stand it around here any more," another chimed in. What was the source of all the trouble? The moving crew blamed the influx of new Christian organizations for hypocrisy, hardheadedness, and the like.
What?! my pastor thought. If men such as these were offended by the Cross, that would be one thing. But their gripes were about how God's people were conducting themselves. "Right there at that Wendy's table," he later told our congregation, "the Lord clearly spoke to my heart: I want you to demonstrate my love in this city—with no strings attached."
This became our watchword. To counteract those negative impressions, we began building Habitat for Humanity homes, producing an annual free July Fourth festival in the park, and hosting community events in our building for free.
—Dean Merrill in Damage Control
My Response: To help counter born-again Christians' bad press, I could …
Adapted from Damage Control (Baker, 2006) by permission.
Copyright ©2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Help me, Lord, to model the gospel so caringly that people will demand an explanation.
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