“White Evangelical Christians are the group least likely to support politicians or policies that reflect the actual teachings of Jesus. It is perhaps one of the strangest, most dumb-founding ironies in contemporary American culture. Evangelical Christians, who most fiercely proclaim to have a personal relationship with Christ, who most confidently declare their belief that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, who go to church on a regular basis, pray daily, listen to Christian music, and place God and His Only Begotten Son at the center of their lives, are simultaneously the very people most likely to reject his teachings and despise his radical message.”

—

Phil Zuckerman: Why Evangelicals Hate Jesus - The rest of the article is worth the read if it sparks a reaction in you.

So….I guess we have this going for us. 

I recently got a voicemail from someone who would align with this description. They went on to tell me that it’s fine we help people but how we shouldn’t serve the slackers and lazy people. It was a pretty sad and frustrating voicemail. However, it did provide additional motivation to continue doing what we’re doing. 

This is an interesting article with research to go with it. We as a whole have a lot of work to do if we’re going to change these findings. It saddens me that this is how a portion of Christians are living their faith out. It’s definitely not how I choose to live and it’s definitely not helpful to the mission of NeighborLink. 

This article reminds me to respect people for their opinions on the state of our communities, and to embrace everyone where they’re at. Recipients, volunteers and Christians alike. We all need a bigger understanding of Grace for ourselves and how it’s meant to be transferred to others. 

David Crowder Band has a song called, How He Loves. In that song these lyrics appear.

And we are His portion and He is our prize

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes

If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking

It’s a reminder that we’re all a few circumstances and poor choices away from needing the unconditional love and grace from another.