A few weeks I posted the first half of the introduction to the new book on Africa. This book has to be completed and to the publisher by January 1, 2007 and will release September 2007. Here's the second half to the intro:
"I'll take this even further. The Christian church is in a state of emergency. Like the priest and Levite of Jesus' parable, we have passed the beaten man on the road – to busy or to "holy" to involve ourselves in lending a helping hand. Instead, it’s the Samaritans – the celebrities, rock stars, comedians, and actors who have stopped to pick up the dying man and nursed him back to health.
Africa is on fire. But until we stop arguing about how it started and who should be saved first, thousands more children are orphaned each day. Thousands more will die. As you read this book, you are just a short plane ride away from a world where 8-year-old girls prostitute themselves for a loaf of bread. For every hour that you read this book, another 1,000 children will die.
The true state of emergency lies within the church--it lies within us. It’s our problem. We cannot leave Africa's children lying by the side of the road, dying, as we pass on our way by. The only Gospel I believe in is the one that offers a cup of cold water in Jesus name. The only Gospel worth living for is the one that incarnates love. The only Gospel worth giving my life for is the one that elevates the needs of others above the needs of our own.
Perhaps we're afraid. Perhaps we don't have enough information. Perhaps we're just lazy. Whatever the rationale, we’ve run out of time. It’s time to get up and do something.
Red is also the color of revolution. And that's exactly what the church will need if we are going to respond with Christ's love. That, I'm afraid, is our only option. A revolution of the heart, mind, and checkbook. All of our resources are demanded. Otherwise, I believe, history will judge the church harshly saying 'They cared more about banning gay marriage than about the 33,000 children who died each day from extreme poverty.' That's not my church. I hope it's not yours either.
The hope is that we can make a difference. We can change the world. When our inaction becomes action, our indifference shifts to making a difference, and when our apathy is exchanged for compassion – the world will change and so will we. It just takes a movement in the right direction.
Welcome to your first step.
The Revolution is here."
