When I went to college I hooked up with a group of students who were with Campus Crusade for _________ .  They were vibrant in their faith and loved Jesus.  The leaders of Campus Crusade for _______ were some of my early mentors in the Faith.  I became involved in Campus Crusade for _________ by going on their retreats and even worked for a summer at one of their youth camps.  Campus Crusade for _______ was so much a part of my life that God used that organization to call me into the ministry.

Given all those things, you can imagine my heartache when Campus Crusade for _______ decided recently to remove “Christ” from their name.  The organization is no longer “Campus Crusade for Christ.”  Click HERE to read the article in its entirety.  Campus Crusade For Christ is now just… “CRU.”

Why did they drop “Christ” from their name?  It was getting in the way.  Those are their words, not mine (Read the article linked above)!  The name “Christ” had become a hindrance to their ministry!  If Bill Bright (The Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) that would not have happened.

It seems that the leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) think that the name “Christ” will keep people from coming to salvation.  Honestly… I can’t fathom that!  I don’t think there is any amount of “logic” that would make me favor taking “Christ” out of the ministry’s name.  After all it is written…

Romans 9:32 They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1 Corinthians 1:23 We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Peter 2:5 Offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

The cross IS an offense.  The name Christ WILL cause some people to stumble.  It’s always been that way and always will be that way.  To take either the cross OR Christ out of the message is not proper, appropriate, or right in my estimation.  If the word “Christ” causes people to stumble, then I suggest we take our cue from the Scripture… not the world.

Just my thoughts… in my study… one day this week.