How often have you heard the saying "Preach the gospel always, and if necessary use words"? This oft-repeated quote from St Francis of Assisi is often bandied around as a reminder that our actions speak louder than words. People watch what we do, and if our actions are not consistent with our message, then at best we confuse our hearers, and at worst we tarnish the very reputation of our heavenly Father.

There is certainly some merit in living good lives amongst the pagans. When they see our good deeds, according to the writings of the Apostle Peter, they will glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 2:12). Likewise, an unbelieving husband can be "won over without words" through the godly living of his believing wife (1 Peter 3:1-2).

Yet, this motivation to live good lives can easily turn into an excuse not to speak at all. After all, it can often be a challenge to even the most extroverted evangelists to gossip the gospel. Whenever we open our mouths we are aware of the spiritual warfare in which we are participating. Unsheathing the sword of the Spirit as we speak the word of God confronts us as much as our hearers.

So, Francis becomes the patron saint of the shy and introverted Christian. Those who find it hard to come up with words to speak find comfort in the reality that their good works alone are preaching to the world.

However, if we never open our mouths to preach Christ, then we end up preaching ourselves. For whenever we show random (and not-so-random) acts of kindness, we end up commending our own character, not that of our creator. The outsider notices our good works and end up glorifying us, not God.

The result is that we inadvertently commit divine plagiarism. For, whenever we fail to credit the creator with our good character, we fail to "footnote' the Spirit of God, who works within us to produce the good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do.

In the world of camping ministry, the temptation to preach with actions instead of words is real. As participants are challenged in outdoor activities, they place themselves in the hands of skilled and responsible instructors. At that time of challenge, they most need gentle assurance and caring guidance. As our Christian outdoor ministers lead these sessions, they have a wonderful opportunity to show the kindness and love of God through their demeanour. The Spirit of God enables them to be patient and kind in a way that is often genuinely supernatural (especially when confronted with rabid year four boys!).

Yet, being caring and competent is not enough. We need to let people know the source of our character. We need to accompany our behaviour with a commendation of Christ. If we don't let people know why we are patient and kind, then we will take the glory, not God. If we don't footnote our Father in heaven, then we will commit divine plagiarism.

If we are to have a genuine Christian camping ministry (or any other ministry) then it is more than necessary that we use words. If we don't let people know why we are so patient and proficient, then people will walk away thinking how nice we are. If we don't tell people about the source of our salvation and sanctification then we will glorify ourselves not God.

Yet, on a more positive note, when camping ministers show skill and sensitivity in demonstrating and supervising activities, it provides wonderful reinforcement for any formal opportunities in preaching Christ. As part of Youthworks' school outdoor education programs, we normally spend an hour per day bringing Christ to the students through the preaching of the word of God. As a result of our skilled and sensitive delivery of our outdoor education activities, we have a solid and powerful platform to deliver the gospel of Christ.

It is a wonderful thing to witness the change in the life of a person when the Spirit of God transforms him or her through the hearing of the Word of Christ. Our heavenly Father is greatly glorified when a sinner becomes a saint. The conversion of a person's character is a supernatural event of the highest order. Let's be quick to put a footnote to our heavenly Father's handiwork, and tell the world about what God has done for us in Christ.

Jodie McNeill is the Director of Camping and Conferencing at Anglican Youthworks. Visit Youthworks’ Outdoor Centres web site to find out more about camping ministry traineeships starting in September.