It’s not really about purpose. We could list a number of things churches do “for the purpose of evangelism” that are still bad ideas. In this case, evaluating involvement in social efforts has to include the lessons of history, not only theological (“social gospel”) but cultural—just about the only thing our society still believes churches are good for is social programs. For that and other reasons, these things tend to take on a life of their own and become—the cliche is still apt—the tail that wags the dog.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Discussion
NewThe real question is..
Do we accept government funding and/or assistance and whatever “strings” may come with it in order to do so?
NewPurpose
It’s not really about purpose. We could list a number of things churches do “for the purpose of evangelism” that are still bad ideas. In this case, evaluating involvement in social efforts has to include the lessons of history, not only theological (“social gospel”) but cultural—just about the only thing our society still believes churches are good for is social programs. For that and other reasons, these things tend to take on a life of their own and become—the cliche is still apt—the tail that wags the dog.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.