A Hope Deeper than Outrage

[The Multi-Cultural Conundrum | CeCe Winans: From Performer to Pastor] The Multi-Cultural Conundrum | CeCe Winans: From Performer to Pastor | [View online]( [ChristianityToday.org]( [Donate]( [Local Church Outreach Newsletter]( Wednesday, July 12, 2017 A Hope Deeper than Outrage I remember the first time I got caught up in a wave of slacktivism. Slacktivism is a helpful portmanteau of "slacker" and "activism" that gives voice to something we've all witnessed on Facebook or through junk mail. Here's how it works: Person/Organization A makes a bold, sweeping claim that you can change the course of a complex world problem simply by sharing, donating to, or promoting their video, organization, or promotion. Person B—intoxicated by the amazing opportunity to solve a huge problem—shares, donates to, or promotes Person/Organization A, and then feels the relief and self-satisfaction of having made a huge impact with minimal effort. Anyway, for me it was the Kony '12 campaign by Invisible Children (a [now defunct]( organization) that promised—through a compelling video campaign that went viral on Facebook—to stop Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA, a guerilla group in Uganda that kidnapped children and forced them to do horrific things. I drank the Kool-Aid, shared the video, and almost rode the wave of outrage to donating and volunteering. After all how often do you get a chance to stop a madman just by pressing the share button on Facebook? The answer is never. I realized I was not truly invested in the fate of Uganda and its surrounding nations. I wanted the satisfaction of "fixing" the issue without expending the effort to understand its complexity and respond out of informed compassion rather than blind outrage. [Hopeful Outrage]( provides a helpful roadmap for responding to the darkness in this world in a way that transcends outrage to bring gospel hope. Keep reaching out, [Editor] [Jonathan Sprowl](mailto:outreach@christianitytoday.com) Editor Sponsored by Navpress [Why Sinners Should Always Be Tolerated]( Never scream 'Fire!' in a theater, and never whisper 'tolerance' in church, unless you want to be kicked out. Ok, it's not that bad, but good evangelism depends on tolerance. Justice & Compassion [Hopeful Outrage]( How to transform anger into action. Tamara J. Park We have so many noble reasons for anger these days. We're more informed, more connected to the world's injustices, and so more justifiably outraged. Well done, us! But let's be honest, we're not always the wisest managers of our anger. Protests degenerate into looting. Vigils and violence happen on the same streets. [Click to continue]( Local Mission [How to Woo People into God's Story]( Step down from the stage and guide them in the learning experience. Scottie May Are folks in your congregation chomping at the bit to know God's story—the Bible? I hope so, but that's often not the case. If you are a pastor or leader struggling to get people to engage in the text as I have, consider changing strategy. Try teaching Scripture as if you are wooing people to enter into the biblical story. [Click to continue]( Outreach & Evangelism [4 Ways to Multiply the Impact of Your VBS]( Use this one-week event to ignite year-long discipleship. Beth Howe Months before children fill your church for Vacation Bible School, preparation begins. You choose from two dozen VBS themes produced by various curriculum providers. You purchase items, decorate the church, recruit and train volunteers, and invite families. Then the big week arrives. Your church fills with children singing, eating snacks, making crafts, and learning about Scripture. Kids have fun. The gospel is shared. [Click to continue]( Culture & Politics [The Multi-Cultural Conundrum]( Even multiracial congregations tend to have white cultural values. Can we continue to cultivate truer diversity in the body of Christ? Jemar Tisby Tiffany stood behind the counter waiting for the next customer. I stepped up and we talked. She told me she had just moved to Jackson, Mississippi, from a tiny town in the Delta. She was a single mother with one child and had been raised in the church. I mustered up all my evangelical boldness and invited her to our congregation. [Click to continue]( Work & Vocation [From Performer to Pastor]( An interview with gospel singer—and pastor—CeCe Winans Love Amy Simpson CeCe Winans Love is known for many roles. With her family, especially her brother BeBe, she was a longtime fixture in Gospel music before launching a solo career. Now she's a ten-time Grammy Award winner, a wife, a mother, a friend to many, a TV personality, a book author, the subject of a documentary, and a voice of inspiration to generations. [Click to continue]( Practical Training [Multicultural Ministry]( More from CT Pastors [The Problem with Colorblindness in Pastoral Counseling]( Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Jerrica KF Ching [Promoting Partnership and Teamwork in Small-Group Ministry]( The importance of sharing as a leadership trait. Michael C. Mack [Deep Preaching]( Trust in the power, presence, and guidance of the Holy Spirit in your sermon prep and preaching. J.R. Briggs Related Free eNewsletters Each weekly issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry. [Sign Up Now]( Inspire life-changing community innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles. [Sign Up Now]( [Local Church Outreach]( Delivered via email to subscribers weekly. 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