Stearns, The Hole in Our Gospel

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Richard Stearns, The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010.

Referenced in: Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Social Ministry

LifeandLeadership.com Summary

This book is part biography, part theology, and part manifesto. As a biography, it tells the story of Richard Stearns, a very successful corporate executive who let go of it all to pursue a call to an orphanage in Uganda. His story bears a kind of moral authority that few possess.

As theology, it describes the “hole” in common evangelical understandings of the gospel that focus on preparation for the next life while minimizing concern for people in this life. He harkens back to Jesus’ mission statement in Luke 4:14-21, the Nazareth Manifesto, which emphasized a three-fold task to proclaim the good news of salvation, show compassion for the sick and the sorrowful, and pursue social justice. The result is not academic theology, but a lived theology of one who has sought to come to terms with the radical claims the gospel has made on his life.

As manifesto, the book both encourages and chastises the church to take the whole gospel to the world through ministries of evangelism, social compassion and social justice, thus repairing the “hole.” Throughout the book, Stearns reflects the keen awareness of the problems of poverty and injustice worldwide one would expect from the president of World Vision International.

It would be hard to find a resource that demonstrates more global awareness of social need. It is convicting and eye-opening. Church leaders who want to expose their congregations to biblical teaching and practical calls to social action, but who find the in-depth theological works too weighty for that purpose, will find in Stearns a plethora of simply expressed biblical truths, inspiring stories, and carefully documented facts.

Publisher’s Product Description

“Preach the Gospel always. Use words if necessary.” – St. Francis of Assisi

It’s 1998 and Richard Stearns’ heart is breaking as he sits in a mud hut and listens to the story of an orphaned child in Rakai, Uganda. His journey to this place took more than a long flight from the United States to Africa. It took answering God’s call on his life, a call that hurtled him out of his presidential corner office at Lenox-America’s finest tableware company-to this humble corner of Uganda.

This is a story of how a corporate CEO faced his own struggle to obey God whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. Using his own journey as an example, Stearns explores the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel.

Two thousand years ago, twelve people changed the world. Stearns believes it can happen again.

About the Author

Richard Stearns brought nearly 25 years of corporate experience to World Vision when he became its president in June 1998.

Stearns holds a bachelor’s degree form Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. His professional career began in marketing with the Gillette Company. From 1977 to 1985, he held various roles with Parker Brothers Games, culminating in his appointment as president in 1984. In 1985, he became a vice president at The Franklin Mint, then joined Lenox in 1987 as president of Lenox Collections. In 1995, Stearns was named president and chief executive officer of Lenox Inc. As president of World Vision Inc., Stearns is responsible for U.S. operations, which include fund raising, advocacy, and program development.

Stearns and his wife, Renee, have been World Vision supporters since 1984. The couple has five children and live in Bellevue, Washington.

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