CCBlogs thinking critically, living faithfully

Steve Hayes's blog

For as long as I can remember there have been debates among Christians about the relationship between social justice and evangelism.

And the majority, or at least the loudest voices, seemed to think that one or ought to have priority, and that the other should be secondary.

Those who regarded themselves as evangelicals, as their name implies, thought that evangelism should come first, and that concern for social justice was an optional extra, or even a hindrance if it distracted from preaching the gospel.

Those who thought that social justice should take priority likewise thought that evangelism was an optional extra, or even a form of escapism. Unlike evangelicals, the social activists didn’t really have a name. One could call them social activists, but they weren’t always all that active. But for the moment let’s call them “social activists”.

And also, as long as I can remember, I have felt alienated by both positions.... READ MORE.

Steve Hayes's blog

When I was ordained deacon some five years ago, several people came up to me immediately after the service and asked when I was going to be ordained a priest, and my answer, getting more emphatic with each one who asked, was “Never, I hope.”

At various times over five years since then people have asked the same question, and I have usually answered that I would start to think about being a priest when there were two deacons in every parish in the diocese. More recently my bishop asked me if I was ready to be a priest yet, and a priest friend asked me the same question, so to thought I had better give a more comprehensive reply.... READ MORE.