"The dichotomy between evangelism and real-life concern for others is one
of the most serious problems impeding Christianity as it enters the new
millenium."
Ron Mitchell directs a church-affiliated homeless shelter in White Plains,
New York. His involvement in meeting street-level needs, along with his
experiences in the often truncated Gospel preached by Evangelical mission
agencies, are behind this powerful call to a wholistic Gospel: one in which
missions and social action are interwoven seamlessly.
Read an excerpt from the book.
Review
A ringing call to the costly biblical discipleship that would change the
world if even a quarter of today's Christians would dare to live it.
— Ron Sider, president, Evangelicals for Social Action
Ron Mitchell was one of the students in the black caucus which challenged
intrinsic racial discrimination in InterVarsity leaders during the Urbana
missions convention of 1970. In Organic Faith, Ron writes of the
events which led up to that confrontation and the eventual healing. Ron sees
in the gospel the root of a living community which demonstrate a distinctly
Christian social concern and, consequently, an authentic Christian living.
—Dr. Stephen Hayner, president, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
It is often tempting to "do good" for goodness' sake. In this insightful
look at faith, evangelism and social action, Ron Mitchell has helped reaffirm
that it is because of my faith in Jesus Christ that I insist on racial
reconciliation — not because it may be a popular fad.
—Spencer Perkins, editor, Reconcilers
In a fragmented world—visible in our lives and in the Church—the
challenge that Ron Mitchell calls us to is both spiritually vital and
missiologically critical. The "Shalom of the City" (Jer. 29:7) that we seek
will come about as we listen to and put into practice this prophetic call for
authentic Christianity. Mitchell's nuanced biblical teaching needs to be
taken to heart if our social action and gospel witness is to impact our world
at the dawn of a new millenium.
—Rev. Eldin Villafane, Ph.D., professor of Christian social ethics,
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Here is a complacency-disturbing plea for a holistic Christianity which finds
in personal devotion and evangelism the dynamic for a realistic, tough-love
ministry to human need. Ron Mitchell challenges the all-too-prevalent
one-dimensional interpretation of our faith.
—Dr. Vernon Grounds, president emeritus, Denver Theological Seminary
Ron Mitchell has performed a great service to the Church by his thoughtful
examination of the historic and contemporary social contradictions which hold
captive the power of the gospel. Ron's message says to the Church that the
world needs to see a good sermon "playing in a neighborhood near you."
Organic Faith will be an important tool in aiding individuals and
organizations such as Promise Keepers as they seek to put feet onto their
convictions for racial healing and living a truly Christian witness in our
communities.
—Elward Ellis, president, Destiny Movement, Inc.
