Immeasurable: Reflections on the Soul of Ministry in the Age of Church, Inc.

by Skye Jethani

Stott came to recognize that forcing every facet of the Christian life into a mission or evangelism framework simply wouldn’t stand, and asking whether evangelism or justice matters more misses the point entirely. Instead he concluded that social justice and evangelism “belong to each other and yet are independent of each other. Each stands on its own feet in its own right alongside the other. Neither is a means to the other, or even a manifestation of the other. For each is an end in itself.” Therefore, according to Stott, our participation in social action is not fueled by a missional imperative, evangelistic pragmatism, or even theological certitude, “but rather simple, uncomplicated compassion. Love has no need to justify itself.”