My name is Greg Stephens. I am a pastor of a small Baptist church just outside of Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio. I read the recent blog article concerning you and Georgetown University on the Christianity Today email newsletter and the apparent expulsion of evangelic organizations from Georgetown. I am responsible enough to know that media outlets, even Christian ones, may not always report all sides of a situation. Being the case, my comments are directed to you based on the article report, and I would be more than happy to hear your version of the circumstances as a possible catalyst in revising my opinion.
Having said that, I was highly disappointed that it appears any organization that actively preaches Jesus Christ, and openly encourages conversion to Jesus as the exclusive faith, may no longer do such. In fact, I find it alarming that any evangelical organization appears to be barred from performing even service projects on campus, even those with no overt religious themes or 'proselytizing' motives. I assume, but could be mistaken, that Islamic and Jewish groups will still be able to actively recruit members into their respective faiths, and partake in service projects. If that is the case, I would request the university reevaluate its position as to evangelical organizations as the appearance of anti-Christian bias is unmistakable, and the actual presence of said bias would be difficult to refute. If no religious organization may solicit for members, or 'proselytize', this may erase the appearance of a bias, but smacks no less of a violation of the core priniciples upon which our founding fathers established this nation.
On a spiritual level, I question how a 'Christian' ministry staff such as that at Georgetown, and it appears from the website to be extensive, could ever entertain banning organizations from spreading the truth of the gospel as the sole means of salvation from sin. While I understand the 'diversity/tolerance/ecumenical' arguments in favor of Georgetown's actions, I cannot fathom being able to reconcile such humanistic philosophy with the Great Commission of Jesus Himself. I would be no more pursuaded by the argument that the university is merely trying to even the rights and opportunities for all faiths given that the 'spiritual staff' at Georgetown appears, again from the website, to favor 'Christian' faiths in the number of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox ministers comparative to Islamic, Jewish, et cetera.
I am also not naive enough to believe this email will change the policy, nor to believe it is likely to impact Georgetown's policies in the slightest. I only pray you will consider the points of this letter and reevaluate your position.
Thank you in Christ,
Greg Stephens
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