I think the church needs to struggle with how to do gleaning in a non-agricultural society. I am from Florida and we have a good example. I minister within the mentally challenged community, and a grocery store chain here called Publix is great at hiring people with disabilities. Publix was started by a Christian and was hiring people with special needs long before the current push to do so.
Richard Stimson Cocoa, FL
While the article’s examples inspire, I wondered if anyone got saved as a result of “gleaning.” Many of those who need to “glean” desperately need the message of eternal salvation now. Wasn’t their salvation a burden of anyone involved in gleaning? On the contrary, the article offered without critique the notion that some employers “still insist that this work requires a neutral approach to spirituality.” The issues of justice and reconciliation should receive Christian attention, but transparency, clarity, and gospel priority should mark these discussions. I hope CT will revisit this important subject.
Mary may be a place to begin a conversation, but we must understand the clear distinctions [between Islam and Christianity] from the start and unapologetically present the gospel without minimizing the differences. The Holy Spirit will take and use the preaching of the simple but necessary truths of the Bible and apply them to the hearts of any who are open to Jesus. Too often, these “common ground” approaches never get to the heart of the issue: the Jesus of the Bible, the one and only unique and eternal son of God. Get off of Mary or any other side issue as quickly as possible and present Jesus who died for our sins and for the sins of the world.
I really needed today’s article from John Koessler. I am almost overwhelmed with decisions of the moment, the day, and the future, and they are all demanding my immediate attention. I think the best thing about belonging to the Lord and knowing the gracious guidance he provides is that when we get it wrong (which I recently did on something very important), he still remembers our frame of dust and has a remarkable way of working things out.
An excellent article on a badly underserved topic. However, at the end of a call-to-arms like the article was, it makes me ask, “What can I do right now?” It would have been nice to have an answer to that question, even if only a link to Jeremy Everett’s organization for those interested in donating.
Editor’s note: Visit https://baylor.edu/texashunger for more information about the Texas Hunger Initiative and ways to get involved in hunger prevention in your own community.
I don’t think we need to jettison “sharing the gospel” but rather have churches that are spiritually alive in preaching the gospel unapologetically and teaching God’s Word so that Christians are better equipped to share their faith. One coworker told me that if we were to continue being friends I needed to stop trying to preach to him. I indicated I would, but this has not stopped me from “sharing” my faith in different ways and praying for him, because the Holy Spirit alone convicts an unsaved heart.
Gary Young Palmyra, VA
This author misses a big part of Jesus’ teaching. Matthew 10:14 clearly says that if someone is not willing to receive our message, we should move to the next town or next group of people. If we meditate on this, Jesus never intended to force the gospel upon anyone. He further says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” With this teaching of Jesus, it is clear “sharing” is the right thing to do.
I wanted to let Kim Cash Tate know that I truly enjoyed reading her testimony. I’m so thankful for her honesty and transparency of the steps God orchestrated in bringing her to a relationship with him.
Bete Primm LaVergne, TN
Correction: Our July/August 2019 article “Return to Senders” listed the wrong location for SIM international director Joshua Bogunjoko. He is based out of the SIM International office in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
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While we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
A Christian reconciliation group in Israel and Palestine warned that war would come. Now the war threatens their relevance.العربيةFrançais
The Grammy-winning artist was found dead at her home in Nashville at age 47.
