Outreach must exhibit a genuine love and respect for individuals and their cultures.ĭemonizing the “other” may be an effective fundraising technique, but it is a poor strategy for loving neighbors who may not be like us.Lottie Moon – a Southern Baptist missionary to China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries – lobbied to have the label “heathen” dropped when referring to the Chinese people to whom she ministered for this reason.
However, Christians must ask themselves, “If our attitudes, strategies and materials aimed toward those we are trying to reach are hostile, demeaning or degrading, should we use them at all?” In Minnesota, presenters knew their material was offensive to Muslims and, for obvious reasons, did not want Muslims present. Outreach must be open and transparent to all, including those being reached.While I do not question the intentions of People of the Book, I do take issue with the ethics, or lack of ethics, involved.Īdd to this incident a Texas mega-church that offered cars, flat-screen TVs, bikes and other prizes for attending church on Easter a few years ago, and I conclude that Christians have an ethical problem with some forms of outreach.Īll of this brings up the question, “Is there an ethical standard for Christian outreach programs and ministries?” Let me suggest five ethical standards to which Christian outreach programs should adhere. There is something ironic about a Christian ministry ejecting a member of the very group they claim to be trying to reach. It is truly hurtful to be treated like you are lesser than somebody or that you don’t qualify to be talked to and treated equally as others,” Elsweisy said, according to the KSMP report. “The only reason I was kicked out of the event was because of my religion, Islam. Ironically, the event organizers were People of the Book Ministries ( POBLO), a Christian outreach ministry to Muslims.Ĭynthia Khan, the conference presenter, said that videos and material “offensive” to Muslims would be distributed.įor that reason, Rania Elsweisy, the hijab-wearing Muslim woman, was escorted from the conference.Īs a result of Elsweisy’s ejection, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations ( CAIR) filed a discrimination lawsuit against People of the Book Ministries. Previously the women’s conference advertising had stated, “All women are invited,” according to the station. In Hibbing, Minn., according to a report by KSMP-TV, a Muslim woman who had registered for a conference was asked to leave when she showed up wearing a hijab – a veil worn to cover one’s head and chest as a symbol of modesty. Maybe it’s time for a look at the ethics of outreach. However, I have never read an article on the ethics of outreach. To connect with the CCO at Robert Morris University, visit our Facebook page.I have read many articles on church outreach in my 30 years of ministry. To learn more about the CCO, visit our website. We work with the recognition that today’s college and university students are tomorrow’s leaders. Our staff advise, counsel, and get to know students wherever they are on campus-from the gym to the cafeteria to the residence hall. The CCO's ministry at RMU includes a weekly fellowship meeting, Bible study and prayer groups, and discipleship groups which encourage students to explore what it means to be Christian in college and in the workplace. We design each ministry to fit the needs of every campus we serve.We serve together with the church, inviting students into the lives of local congregations.We develop students to be passionate leaders in their studies, jobs, communities, and families.This campus ministry is distinct in three ways: The CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives. RMU Center for Veterans and Military Families.Part-time, Readmission and Guest Students.
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