Lausanne World Pulse – Christians in the Public Arena

By Ram Gidoomal
September 2010

3. Reconciliation. How the world cries out to be reconciled! And how greatly people need to be brought into right relationships with each other! The news is full of programmes about warring neighbours, nations sending huge armies against each other to dispute ownership of oil wells, or bitterly contested territorial areas and natural resources. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and work toward reconciliation.

4. Active compassion. It is not enough to pay lip service to the need for social justice and all the rest: we have to do something about it. That includes enabling people who need empowering and who are denied basic rights by our modern society. This includes the poor, the elderly, the disabled, and even minority faith groups.

5. Stewardship of resources. Human greed can cause wars and extremes of poverty and wealth. The global facts are simple: there is more than enough for all on the earth. But some of us want most of it for ourselves. Good stewardship of resources and biblical generosity are values worth upholding and fighting for in the public arena.

6. Empowerment. Some people need to be empowered, particularly the voiceless. Many people living in the poorest communities do not even know that they are eligible to vote. Good government is empowering government.

Christians working in public service have a wonderful opportunity to represent Christ and impact society through their words and actions. When it comes down to it, it’s an intensely practical exercise.

Very few Christians in the public arena are in a position to openly proclaim the gospel. More often than not, Christian doctors, nurses, teachers, government officials, journalists, and social workers are not allowed to publically express their faith.

However, actions make a profound difference, and if we ensure we are being driven by Christian values and principles, taking hold of opportunities to share faith as they arise, we can surely impact the world for the sake of the gospel.

Ram Gidoomal is deputy chairman of the board of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelisation, chairs the Resource Mobilisation Working Group, and will lead the Multiplex Session, “To Give or Not to Give…The Stewardship Dilemma,” during the Cape Town 2010 Congress.