10 September 2011
By Raymond Billy | ResonateNews.com
The Sept. 11, 2001, attack ushered in a surge of religiosity across the United States. Church attendance increased during the months that followed. “God Bless America” usurped “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem. And, Americans gladly — even proudly — united behind a president who often invoked spiritual language as he sought to help the nation heal from the tragedy that befell it.
But within two years the president's faith became a source of controversy rather than cohesion. A segment of citizens grew tired of the increasingly high profile of religion in public life and some Christians became embroiled in a heated culture war. The Rev. Dr. Doug Stringer — founder and president of the humanitarian organization Somebody Cares America and cofounder of Global Compassion Network — said that the attacks should have been a catalyst for Christians to advance the ministry of Jesus. Instead, Stringer said, the events spawned by 9/11 have discouraged them.
“If the church returns to its ambassadorial role and wakes up from its slumber, the entire country would reap the benefit from the overflow of blessing that would take place.”
— Doug Stringer
“We've become overwhelmed by the sorrow and the stress of what's taken place in the last decade. But, this is the moment for the church to shine in the midst of all these things,” said Stringer, 55, who has led his global humanitarian organization from its Houston headquarters for two decades.Stringer said cultural clashes between Christians and non-Christians have caused many to lose sight of representing Jesus.
“When you put love and truth together, that shows the real nature of Christ,” Stringer said. “We're often so in love with the truth that we become indifferent to mercy. That's not being a good ambassador for Jesus.”
Stringer said that Christians should relentlessly follow the example set by Jesus — even in the face of hostility from non-Christians.
“It's time for the church to awaken and band truth and mercy around our neck and show love even to those who oppose us. We need to let Christ's light shine to the world,” Stringer said. Stringer cited high-profile events of the previous decade to explain ,what he sees , as attempts to undermine Christian influence that have demoralized believers. He noted that only two years after 9/11, a Ten Commandments monument was ordered removed from an Alabama courthouse. Three years after the attack, a judge ordered a Bible display removed from Houston's Harris County Civil Courts Building. More recently, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sued to stop The Response, a day of prayer and fasting called by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Stringer said these events underscore a waning respect for Christianity that believers must take responsibility for.
“We've seen so much intensity after 9/11 that we've allowed things to take place that shouldn't have happened,” Stringer said. “Even as recently as 10 years ago, people had a much higher respect for biblical morality than they do now.”
Stringer said if Christians begin to steadfastly practice grace and mercy — in addition to an unwavering commitment to the message of Jesus — their influence would permeate the nation.
“If Christians would get back to the fundamental principles of what we believe, the affect might be similar to the way people reacted after The Response. People were actually surprised that what they saw was a reflection of the mercy, love and righteousness of Christ on display,” Stringer said. “If the church returns to its ambassadorial role and wakes up from its slumber, the entire country would reap the benefit from the overflow of blessing that would take place.”
Stringer said that Christians should view opposition as a test of their faith's authenticity.
“The world is watching — even those who are antagonistic toward us,” Stringer said. “They are looking to see if what we have is real.”
