So actively getting involved in a tragedy none of us truly know the depths of and raising money for their well being can be church at it’s worst? You need to better define ‘best’ and ‘worst’ practices - cause if that’s the church at it’s worst then you must be living on another planet. I have seen churches persecute it’s own, kick out it’s leaders, threaten their youth, and curse people - now that’s crappy. But if raising cash for Darfur is a thorn in the side - then what is good?

“Always in the back of my mind is the story of those who found themselves before the Lord on the last day. They’d done it all right: used the Lord’s name to cast out demons, prophesied, and did all kinds of amazing things. But the Lord never knew them” (NP)

Re-read that passage again from Matthew 7 and see the one key word mentioned in their (practice lawlessness) - also used in a parable about the talents in Matt 25 (in the same exact way). You see the problem there isn’t doing good for someone else - but living a life that is ‘lawless’ (ex: does not love people, steals from them, hurts others, etc). The fact you got involved with the Darfur thing isn’t bad - it’s what happens next for all involved that will define what that means to each person involved. That event may launch some to further acts of charity and kindness while for others it launches them into exposing and using human weaknesses.

“When presented with injustice, we do the just thing. But it can be a giant and fatal leap to assume that this makes us right with God.” (NP)

I somewhat agree here but then I have to say the obvious - why do it at all? Couldn’t we also say the opposite (being apathetic) also does nothing to make us nearer or farther from God? Basically, all things being equal, doing good and doing nothing can find themselves at the same picnic.